There are serious doubts over the future of one of Western Australia's most iconic and oldest wineries.

Houghton Wines, WA's most awarded winery, is moving its entire wine production to its other base in Nannup, ending a winemaking era that began in the Swan Valley almost 200 years ago.

The move by Houghton, established in 1836 and one of Australia's oldest operating wineries, is considered strategic, with its Nannup production base halfway between Margaret River and Frankland River, the two wine regions from which Houghton sources most of its grapes.

The Swan Valley has been home to Houghton Wines for 180 years.

The Swan Valley-based winery set up its main production hub in Nannup about 15 years ago, where it blends the majority of fruit for its four ranges of wine. From May 2019, all of its wine will be produced there.