The people of Perth like nothing more than a good old-fashioned Swan Valley wine crawl. Getting your friends together and visiting a few local wineries is almost a rite of passage. That's why any trip to Perth is not complete unless you tour the Swan Valley, taking in the best of the food (and a few bottles of your favourite drop) along the way.
Sandalford Winery
One of the most long-standing and reputable wineries in the Swan Valley region, Sandalford offers tasty wine, a fine dining restaurant and our favourite addition – a wine cruise. If you are chasing something special, the cruise is a way to experience the Swan River, followed by lunch with paired wine and a behind-the-scenes tour of the estate.
Coward and Black
Coward and Black pride themselves on growing their grapes in dry soil. Dry soil, you might be thinking? It basically means that the vines are so established that their roots travel far beneath the soil to hit a natural water source. In other words, the wine is full of interesting notes. The Swan Valley cellar door sits on West Swan Road, about 25 minutes from the Perth CBD.
Tyler's Vineyard
Tyler's Vineyard takes a narrow approach to winemaking, focusing on some of the best grenache our state has to offer, from vines over a century old. Any trip to the Swan Valley is not complete without a visit. While you're there, you can try your hand at personalising your own wine label at the cellar door – a nice touch for a first date.
Harris Organic Wines
Scoring the distinction of the only certified organic winery in the Swan Valley, Harris Organic Wines offers small group tastings from its long range of organic wines. Knowing the drop you're drinking is free from pesticides and fertilisers makes a visit to Harris worth building into your Swan Valley trail, and it suits a long lunch.
Ugly Duckling Winery
For those wanting to bring their dog along – Ugly Duckling Winery welcomes dogs in its outdoor seating area, with a water bowl provided. Apart from the company of your pooch, this cellar door produces a solid local drop with relaxed, old-fashioned service in a low-key setting.
Darlington Estate Winery
Popular with those looking to tie the knot, Darlington Estate Winery is our pick for the most rustic winery on the list. With a floor-to-ceiling glass dining room and rustic timber beams throughout, the team at Darlington bring a good deal of expertise to their wine tastings. Worth the drive out to the Perth Hills for a special occasion.
And there we have it – a rundown of some of the best wineries the Swan Valley has to offer. If you are thinking of visiting a few on the list above, we can help transport you and your friends. Our team can customise an itinerary to suit your wine stops, with a driver waiting to take you to the next vineyard.
