Dawn in the vineyards near Margaret River, Australia

© Nick Rains/Corbis NX/Getty Image

Sun, surf, and vino. Raising a glass to Margaret River

Despite the name, most who visit Margaret River, a small town south of Perth, is best known for its wine - now producing over 15 per cent of the country’s premium wine thanks to over 100 wineries like the one featured in today’s image. That’s not to say the surf in the area isn’t also beloved, however, rising to eminence in the early 1960s before the Australian National Titles were held in the area in 1969. In fact, after the region’s first commercial vineyard was planted in 1967 at Vasse Felix, many surfers started flocking to Margaret River to make the most of an abundance of casual employment while still being able to enjoy a bit of a sea breeze. Today it’s the only wine region in Australia where you can jump between award-winning wineries, tall timber forests, beautiful beaches and more. Cheers to that.