We may lack objectivity here, but vineyard dining is almost certainly one of life’s great pleasures. And if it happens to be in Margaret River, on one of the region’s finest sites…

Yes, Rústico at Hay Shed Hill has what might fairly be described as an unfair advantage when it comes to location. Our restaurant sits at the heart of Wilyabrup’s rolling countryside, among vines producing some of the region’s best fruit from a little bit of vinous heaven. A sub-region of this glorious bit of Australia we call “Margs”, recognised for its outstanding terroir — soil, site, sunshine, coastal influence and the quiet magic that makes Margaret River wines so distinctive.

But this year, that sense of place feels even more meaningful.

2026 marks 20 years of Hay Shed Hill Wines and 10 years of Rústico at Hay Shed Hill.

Two decades of wine.
A decade of shared tables.
And countless long lunches, weddings, celebrations and “just because” afternoons in between.

20 Years of Hay Shed Hill

Our relationship with Hay Shed Hill is both fortuitous and deeply synergistic.

Under the guidance of veteran winemaker and owner Michael Kerrigan, Hay Shed Hill has built a reputation for wines of clarity, precision and site expression.

Originally a radiographer, it was Michael’s wife Leith — who came from a grape-growing family in the Swan Valley — who encouraged him to follow his heart. He studied winemaking at Roseworthy College in South Australia, duxed his graduation year, and went on to spend thirteen vintages at Howard Park Wines before gathering a syndicate to purchase the established Hay Shed Hill vineyard and brand in 2006.

Twenty years on, that decision has shaped one of Margaret River’s most respected boutique producers.

At the Cellar Door — and at the restaurant table — the breadth of Kerrigan’s portfolio unfolds. Classic Margaret River chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon sit alongside Riesling from Mount Barker and the K+B Shiraz from Frankland River, produced in partnership with Gavin Berry of West Cape Howe renown.

In Michael’s own words, these wines are:

“Made with the most fundamental objective of using the best vineyard resources and winemaking with no regard for the state of the wine market or any other commercial concern.”

Then there are the small-batch outliers — Arneis, Vermentino and limited World Series releases — available only at the Cellar Door and here at Rústico.

It gives us access to an extraordinary collection of wine styles, varietals, sites and vintages — all anchored by a philosophy that remains beautifully simple:

“Our philosophy has always been to go to where the grapes grow best.”

10 Years of Rústico at Hay Shed Hill

A decade ago, Rústico arrived at Hay Shed Hill with a clear vision:
To create a place where people feel welcomed, relaxed, well-fed and completely at ease.

Since then, we’ve hosted thousands of guests — Perth weekenders, Margaret River locals, wedding parties, birthday groups, corporate teams and couples who simply wanted a long lunch done properly.

Over ten years, Rústico has grown into more than a restaurant. It’s become:

A celebration space
A wedding venue
A “we always come here when we’re down south” ritual
A home away from home for many locals

Behind the scenes is a long-standing team with decades of combined hospitality experience — the familiar faces who remember your favourite wine, happily accommodate dietary needs, and make hospitality look effortless (even when we know it never truly is).

As we outlined in our recent brand workshop Rustico @ Hay Shed Hill - Your dining for us has always been about more than food. It’s about:

Bringing people together
Creating moments that matter
Making every guest feel like they belong

That philosophy hasn’t changed in ten years — and it won’t in the next ten either.

The Perfect Pairing: Wine & Shared Dining

There’s something deeply satisfying about enjoying wine grown and made on the very piece of dirt you’re dining on.

At Rústico, that connection is tangible.

The full breadth of Hay Shed Hill’s wines sits alongside our flavour-driven, share-style menu — bold, generous dishes designed to be passed around the table. It’s relaxed, generous and rooted in place.

And if there’s anything that beats an exceptional meal paired with wines made from the vines outside your window — in the heart of Margaret River — we’d genuinely like to hear about it.

Join Us to Celebrate

To mark this double milestone — 20 years of Hay Shed Hill and 10 years of Rústico — we’re throwing a proper celebration.

This Saturday 21 March from 7pm, we’ll host our 10th Birthday Celebration — a high-energy evening of shared food, flowing wine, cocktails and live music, bringing together the locals, long-time guests, suppliers and friends who’ve shaped our story.

Expect an elevated birthday celebration with flowing food, cocktails and live music — the kind of evening that begins around the table and carries on long after dark.

The night will unfold as a high-energy, soulful journey through Latin rhythms, with fiery Flamenco from Rumberros del Barrio and smooth Cuban sounds by Son Caribe Cuban Music, transporting guests to the streets of 1960s Havana with son, mambo and cha-cha.

It’s not just a birthday.
It’s a thank you.

To everyone who has walked through our doors over the past decade.
To those who have supported Hay Shed Hill for twenty years.
And to the next chapter we’re about to write together.

Here’s to twenty years of wine.
Ten years of shared tables.
And many more moments still to come.

SATURDAY 21 MARCH | FROM 7PM
Tickets - $150 per person
Optional $30 return transport available.

What’s included:
Canapés on arrival
Rústico favourites served to the table
Two complimentary cocktails per guest
Live music & entertainment throughout the evening - Rumberros del Barrio Flamenco Group and Son Caribe Cuban Music — transporting you to the streets of 1960s Havana with son, mambo, and chacha.

Come and join us for the celebration - tickets are limited - so don't delay

BOOK NOW