The Lake House Denmark WA

The Lake House Denmark, WA

The Lake House Denmark: A cellar door worth lingering at — where cool-climate wines, lakeside lunches, and wine-infused condiments turn a quick visit into an unhurried afternoon.

Monica Tindall

Just when we thought Denmark couldn’t get any prettier — with its misty valleys, magnificent eucalypts and cellar doors tucked into the folds of forested hills — we pulled into The Lake House. It came highly recommended by the local food-and-wine set, and within minutes, we understood why. It’s a place that makes us want to cancel the rest of the day’s itinerary and stay for one more glass, one more course, one more moment by the water.

The Lake House Denmark Entrance
The Lake House Denmark Entrance
The Lake House Denmark WA
The Lake House Denmark, WA

The Lake House, Denmark, WA

The Lake House Denmark is the kind of spot people whisper about over shared plates and swirling glasses, insisting you must go. Just five minutes from town, yet completely removed from the everyday, the property unfolds around a mirror-like lake fringed with gums and willows. Owners Garry Capelli and Leanne Rogers, who traded corporate suits for gumboots in the early 2000s, have created something rare here: a cellar door that feels more like a retreat. With estate-grown wines, gourmet condiments under the Vinofood label, and a restaurant that champions local produce, The Lake House is a full-bodied experience of the Great Southern’s generous spirit.

The Lake House Denmark WA Willows & Picnic Tables
Willows & Picnic Tables

The Wine

At The Lake House, wine is the starting point. The vineyard sits in the crisp coastal calm of Denmark’s maritime climate, just 15 kilometres from the Southern Ocean. This proximity lends a sea-borne freshness that shapes the character of their wines — crisp natural acidity, refined aromatics, and elegance across both whites and reds.

Garry and Leanne, with the help of local experts, are hands-on in every stage, from vineyard to bottling. Their winemaking approach focuses on minimal intervention and maximum expression of fruit and site. The grapes are sourced from their own estate as well as select vineyards across the Great Southern, allowing the team to play with regional nuance while maintaining a consistent house-style – approachable, food-friendly, and unpretentiously sophisticated.

The portfolio is cleverly structured into three tiers: He Said She Said, a playful, easy-drinking range perfect for picnics and platters; the Postcards Series, focusing on single varietals — ideal for slow evenings and shared stories; and the Premium Reserve Range, made in small batches and showcasing the region’s full potential with finesse and cellarability. You’ll find everything from a balanced Chardonnay and zesty Riesling to a berry-rich, earthy Pinot Noir and a silky Syrah— a varietal that holds more elegance here in WA, with a cooler climate and a deft touch.

Tasting is relaxed and generous, with the cellar door staff bringing both knowledge and warmth — no snobbery, no hard sell, just an open invitation to explore. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply wine-curious, The Lake House encourages curiosity, conversation and maybe a cheeky extra bottle for the suitcase.

The Lake House Premium Reserve Riesling
Premium Reserve Frankland River Riesling 2023
The Lake House Premium Reserve Chardonnay
The Lake House Premium Reserve Denmark Chardonnay 2022
Postcard Series Mt Barker 2022 Rosé
Postcard Series Mt Barker 2022 Rosé
Premium Reserve Denmark Pinot Noir 2022
Premium Reserve Denmark Pinot Noir 2022
Premium Reserve Frankland River Clone 174 Syrah 2022 Syrah
Premium Reserve Frankland River Clone 174 Syrah 2022 Syrah

Vinofood: Where Grapes Go Gourmet

Not content with simply making wine, The Lake House team have gone one better — they’ve found delicious new ways to eat it. Enter Vinofood: a clever range of gourmet condiments infused with wine, grape must, and seasonal local ingredients. It’s where the leftover fruits of the winemaking process are given a delicious second act, transformed into jams, chutneys, sauces, and relishes that are far more indulgent than they are virtuous, though they do tick both boxes.

Born from Leanne’s love of cooking and her desire to reduce waste, the Vinofood line is now a cult favourite among visitors and stockists around the country. Among the favourites are Onion Thyme & Red Wine Jam, Red Pepper, Chilli & Chardonnay Sauce, and a Fig, Apple & Chardonnay Chutney that pairs perfectly with duck, pork, or a strong, crumbly cheddar. It’s a paddock-to-pantry philosophy, with small-batch production happening just behind the cellar door — so what you’re tasting on the plate is often hot off the stove.

Food & Wine Tastings in The Shed
Food & Wine Tastings in The Shed
Vinofood
Vinofood

A Table for All Seasons

Dining at The Lake House is as much about setting as it is about sustenance. Guests are invited to linger — whether it’s on the deck overlooking the water, under the dappled shade of the willows, or fireside in the cosy restaurant when Denmark’s famous mist rolls in.

The food offering is centred around sharing platters, catering to long, lazy lunches, impromptu tastings and picnics alike. You can settle in with a spread for one, or indulge in a grazing board that might take you hours to finish. The menu is grounded in local, seasonal produce, thoughtfully prepared, generous in spirit, and built to complement the estate’s wines and Vinofood condiments. Guests are encouraged to sit, take their time, and experience a slower pace of living.

Prefer to picnic? No problem. The Lake House offers gourmet hampers that can be enjoyed on the grounds or taken away for a beachside sunset. And for those who just want to dip in and out, there’s a wine and Vinofood tasting bar — a delicious detour on any Denmark day trip.

The Lake House Denmark  Restaurant & Cellar Door
The Lake House Denmark Restaurant & Cellar Door

Lunch by The Lake

There are long lunches, and then there are The Lake House lunches—the kind that unfold at a leisurely pace, accompanied by the clink of glassware, a chorus of birdsong, and the occasional honk from a curious goose. We took our seats indoors by the crackling fire, looking out over the lake and gardens, while ducks, geese, and fairywrens performed their usual lunchtime routine, hopeful for a fallen crumb.

The Madison Vineyard Platter (A$85 for two) came highly recommended—and rightly so. A generous spread of regional produce and Vinofood condiments, it’s as much a celebration of local flavour as it is a feast for two. There’s Mt Barker smoked chicken, local ham, and Italian-style cacciatore sausage; a tender vegetable frittata (so good!) and a seasonal dip (hummus); wedges of cheddar and camembert; creamy marinated feta; garden salad; and a basket of house-baked bread and crackers. Vinofood’s gourmet preserves elevate every bite. Highlights include a tomato and Riesling relish, onion thyme and red wine jam, beetroot and Shiraz relish, and mustard wine jelly. The fig, apple and Chardonnay chutney, grapeseed oil vinaigrette and balsamic Shiraz glaze round out the offering — and make us want to take the whole lot home.

The Lake House Denmark WA Menu Madison Vineyard Platter
The Lake House Denmark Menu – Madison Vineyard Platter
Life is Better with Wine & Coffee
Life is Better with Wine & Coffee

The Lake House Denmark Review

Part vineyard, part gourmet pantry, part lakeside daydream — The Lake House Denmark is a place to pause, graze, sip, and breathe a little deeper. Whether you’re settling in for a long lunch, sampling your way through the Vinofood range, or simply unwinding by the water with a glass of something local, you’ll find the pace softens and the senses sharpen. A word of advice: allow extra time. One course turns into three, and that “quick stop” may just last the afternoon.

Reasons to visit The Lake House, Denmark: peaceful lakeside setting; generous tastings and warm hospitality; gourmet platters and wine-infused condiments; relaxed dining by the fire or under the willows; excellent cool-climate wines.

The Lake House Denmark
106 Turner Rd, Shadforth WA 6333, Australia
Link to The Lake House Denmark on Google Maps
+61 8 9848 2444
lakehousedenmark.com.au
@lakehousedenmark

The Lake House Denmark Hours
Sunday: Closed
Monday to Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
Lunch: 11 am – 3 pm

Find more gourmet travel tips for Western Australia here and stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in KL’s food and beverage scene with The Yum List on Instagram and The Yum List on Facebook.

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