Just 20 minutes outside of Perth, a small-town food-and-wine trail winds through Swan Valley, presenting a more intimate taste of Western Australia
In recent years, Margaret River has basked in the spotlight as Western Australia’s golden child. The region has become known for its gourmet stops, located some three hours by car from Perth.
But an equally delicious discovery even nearer to the city lies waiting. Fed by the Swan River, vineyards just 20 minutes from Perth stretch across the slopes of Swan Valley. Cosy wineries line up side by side, each barely five minutes from the other, their grape fields sprawling out into the hilly horizon.
We hopped on a day trip with D’Vine Wine Tours and spent six hours sipping and chomping our way through Swan Valley. Here are four stops that left a lingering impression.
Photo: Justin Teo
Elmar’s in the Valley
We capped off our trip with a stop at the German pub and restaurant Elmar’s in the Valley. Walk up to the bar and choose from one of three specialty beers off the tap: the Ein Stein Pilsner, the Kick Back Wheat Bier and the Schwarz Bier Dark Lager.
Having had our fill of bubbly for the day, the lot of us went for the light and malty Ein Stein Pilsner. Rather than parking at the counter, however, we took our drinks out back, where we lay by the gumtrees beside Swan Valley’s biggest beer garden, taking in the tranquility of the West.
8731 West Swan Road, Henley Brook WA 6055, Australia.
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