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.
Sandalford Winery
One of Australia’s oldest plantations, Sandalford Winery was established in 1840 on the same date of the first European settlement in the colony of Perth – making it one of the earliest settled wineries in the region.
With D’Vine, we skipped the crowds and were led straight to the tasting table, where the winery’s range of labels awaited us. I was so taken by the Estate Reserve’s Sauvignon Blanc Semillion, a light and refreshing blend of the two wines, that I found myself hunting it down on my last day at the airport.
Other premium wines that we got a taste of included the Founders Reserve Liqueur Port and the fortified 2013 Sandalford Botrytis.
3210 West Swan Road, Caversham WA 6055, Australia.
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