One of the major attractions of Western Australia is just a 25-minute drive
from the capital city of Perth - Swan Valley Wine Region. The oldest town in
Perth, Guildford, houses the winery estate that attracts not only the locals, but also thousands of tourists every year.
When you reach Guildford, make the first pit stop at Swan Valley Visitor Centre. If you don't wish to travel by road, you can opt for the picturesque Swan River cruise from Perth's Barrack Street Jetty. After reaching the destination, you may choose to explore in a horse-drawn wagon or hire a chauffeured classic car, there are almost 200 attractions to explore.
Perth is a haven for wine lovers, especially the Swan Valley. Image: Destination Perth
The character of Swan Valley is aptly described as a blend of food, wine, and art. There are several wineries situated one after the other. From
world-class wineries, breweries, distilleries, various restaurants with artisan
goods to handcrafted wares, buzzing markets and vibrant studios, the valley
offers one of the best experiences in Perth. There is enough sunshine
throughout the year and that makes it an ideal destination in every season.
In fact, you can explore Guildford beyond Swan Valley too. The town has some of the most stunning and quaint sights. The locals are welcoming and interactions with them will give you some historic and memorable stories to always cherish.
Australia is set to host the T20 World Cup 2020 and that is easily the best
time to plan a trip to the gorgeous country. Among the Aussie states, Western
Australia is believed to be more pocket-friendly in comparison to the others. The capital of Western Australia will play host to India v Bangladesh and India v South Africa in the Women's & Men's T20 World Cup 2020 respectively. If you plan a trip to Perth for either tournament, you must definitely save a day on your itinerary to visit Swan
Valley.
The top 5 wineries in Perth
Sandalford Wines
Swan Valley is known to have European roots and Sandalford Wines are one of
the faces of it. It is one of the oldest and largest premium wine producers in
Western Australia. These guys have been making wines for over 175 years and the
commendable fact is that they have maintained the quality quite consistently.
It is a local icon with a huge cellar door, a prestigious restaurant and
various experiences such as wine tasting, famous cruise, and courses, where they
teach the theory to prepare for the practical exam of wine blending.
Timings: Cellar door: 10am to 5pm daily. Restaurant: 12pm to 2:45pm daily.
Sandalford Wines, Swan Valley - Tourism Western Australia
Ugly Duckling Wines
A pleasant and rustic cottage overlooking the vines houses the boutique
vineyard and cellar door. One of the rare vineyards that welcome dogs in the
outdoor dining area, Ugly Duckling Wines believes in providing an old-fashioned
service and they offer premium wine, all grown and crafted locally.
Visiting this place in October will be even more perfect as it organizes a market day amongst the vines to celebrate Entwined in the Valley.
They also anyway attract many more visitors with their live music programs every
weekend.
Timings: Mon-Fri - 10.30 am to 4 pm | Sat-Sun - 10.30 am to 5 pm
Ugly Duckling Wines, Swan Valley - Tourism Western Australia
Coward and Black
If you cannot resist both wine and chocolate, then without a second
thought you must head straight to Coward and Black Wines. Their partnership
with the Margaret River Chocolate Company provides you with a chance to combine
two of your favorite delight. You may also try a wide range of chocolate liqueurs.
They also offer an array of home-made jams, preserves, olive oils, sauces,
dressings, spice mixes, and desserts.
Timings: Mon-Sun - 9 am to 5 pm
Margaret River Chocolate Company in the Swan Valley - Tourism Western Australia
Olive Farm Wines
Established in 1829, Olive Farm Wines are the oldest winery in Western
Australia. They have been making exciting ranges of wines including méthode
champenoise sparkling, white, rosé, red and fortified wines. Olive Farm has
found a clever way to attract tourists to their winery. They have opened
specialty cheese & wine cafe, which is situated just meters from the cellar
door. They give you a chance to perfectly pair your selected wine with their
extensive selection of local and international cheeses.
Timings: Mon-Sun - 10 am to 5 pm
The Cheese Barrel at Olive Farm Wines in the Swan Valley - Tourism Western Australia
If Shiraz, a variety of red wine, is your preferred thing, then you must
not leave Swan Valley without tasting Upper Reach's award-winning reserve
Shiraz. They also offer a Spa cottage that was built in 1907 and is surrounded
by vines, making them unique among their competitors' wineries. In the months
of February and March, they also organize Twilight Concerts, an in-depth series
of outdoor shows with awesome soul acts and great food.
Timings: Mon-Sun - 11 am to 5 pm
Upper Reach Winery in the Swan Valley - Tourism Western Australia