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10 Swan Valley Wineries You Need To Visit

Swan Valley Wineries You Need To Visit - Proudly South African In Perth

One of the first things on our to-do list after we settled into life in Perth was to visit the Swan Valley. So I thought it was about time I put together a list of Swan Valley wineries you need to visit.

There are so many wineries and produce stores to visit where you can sample and purchase wine, cheese, fruit, preserves, sauces, honey, and heaps more. For the sake of this post, I’ll stick to my favourite wineries in the Swan Valley, as otherwise we could be here all day!

I must say I have not visited all of the wineries in the Swan Valley – I think it would take me a while to work my way around them all, but I’ll give it a damn good try!

This list is purely based on my own tastebuds and experiences at the cellar door.

10 Swan Valley Wineries You Need To Visit

1. Olive Farm Wines

Set in a modern building just off the Great Northern Highway, Olive Farm Wines is actually the oldest vineyard in the Swan Valley. It was first started way back in 1829 (there is another very high profile winery claiming this honour but it isn’t true!), which is real history for WA.

Olive Farm Wines - Travelling Corkscrew

The cellar door staff are super friendly and knowledgeable, and I’m not sure if I should be proud or embarrassed that Steve the manager knows me by name! They have an amazing collection of wines and it’s so hard to pick my favourites, but the Shimmer Sparkling has got to be up there along with their Petit Verdot and oaked Semillion.

2. Sittella

Just a bit further south from Olive Farm Wines, you’ll find Sittella on Barrett Street. Sharon at the cellar door is a complete hoot (well she is Irish!) and will take you through every wine on the tasting list if that’s what your heart desires. Just make sure you have a designated driver!

Sitella

I love their Sparkling Chenin Blanc and their Shiraz. The restaurant on site is top notch too. If you want to impress visitors with stunning views and beautiful food, this is the place to take them.

3. Pandemonium Estate

A more casual setting awaits you at Pandemonium Estate. Close to Olive Farm Wines, this cellar door is a relative newcomer to the Swan Valley, having opened in late 2015. I visited with my bestie when she was in WA visiting family (and me!) and we both loved the vibe of the place and the lovely and very affordable wines.

Pandemonium Estate - Travelling Corkscrew

All their wines are named after demons so have awesome names like Barbas and Asmodius. I loved their Moscato and Chenin Blanc. They’ve also started offering food so you can grab a glass of wine and some snacks, then relax and enjoy the panoramic views.

4. Ugly Duckling

If you love wine and pies, Ugly Duckling is the winery for you! Not only do they offer a range of lovely boutique wines, but their casual garden restaurant serves gourmet pies and platters too.

Ugly-Duckling-Wines - Travelling Corkscrew

Their Chenin Blanc and Shiraz were lovely and we may have bought a bottle or two to take home (it would be rude not to!).

5. Twin Hill Wines

Twin Hill Wines was actually the first Swan Valley winery we ever visited way back in 2013. It’s a small and rustic cellar door, with friendly staff who more often than not are the family that own and run the vineyard.

Twin Hill Wines

They also have cheese and olives available to taste and buy, so don’t forget to bring a cooler bag and some ice packs (unless you want your car to smell like cheese for a week!).

Their wines are simple but good, and I LOVE their Tawny – it comes in a 2 litre bottle and for $18, it’s the best winter warmer ever!

6. John Kosovich

My lovely friend and fellow blogger Casey (aka the Travelling Corkscrew) took me to check out this gorgeous and unassuming winery a few months ago after we caught up for lunch. It was a hot summer’s day and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that their cellar door was actually in a cellar – underground!

John Kosovich

When it comes to the wines at John Kosovich, their aged Chenin Blanc is a real treat and I loved their Verdelho. Definitely a must visit Swan Valley winery, for the wine and the location.

7. Upper Reach Winery

Tucked away at the northern end of the Swan Valley, you’ll find Upper Reach Winery. With one of the friendliest cellar doors around, you are sure to feel welcome here. We’ve visited a few times now and always leave with a bottle or 3 and a smile on our faces.

Upper Reach Winery

They have a lovely restaurant as well which overlooks the grassy river bank – perfect for those lazy summer days. They have a lovely easy-drinking white called Black Bream (their logo is a fish so they’ve gone with fishing themed names for their range) and the Gig Shiraz Grenache is also fab.

8. Nikola Estate

Previously known as Houghton Wines, Nikola Estate is one of my favourite spots to visit in the Swan Valley – partly for the grounds and partly for the most amazing cellar door experience.

While the old Houghton Wines cellar door experience did leave me feeling a little cold, and the wines didn’t blow me away, Nikola Estate could not be any more different. Our sommelier was informative and friendly with zero condescension, plus absolutely hilarious to boot.

Houghton Wines Swan Valley

The setting for this winery is just gorgeous, and while they have a restaurant on site, they also welcome picnics which make it a stunning place to enjoy a picnic with family and friends in the countryside.

If you want alcohol with your picnic though you need to buy this through the cellar door – no BYO allowed.

9. Fig Tree Estate Winery

A cute little find hidden away in the Swan Valley, Fig Tree Estate is a small and boutique winery in the Swan Valley. They’re family owned and operated so you get a real sense of it being a family business as soon as you arrive. They have two lovely dogs which hang around and look for cuddles from all the visitors!

Fig Tree Estate - Travelling Corkscrew

Aside from wine, they also make their own apple cider which is very light and refreshing. I loved their Sparkling Chenin Blanc and Verdelho, though it was really warm when we visited so I was swayed more to the whites than the reds on the day.

10. Pinelli Estate Wines

Another great suggestion from Casey, the Travelling Corkscrew, was to check out Pinelli Estate Wines. It’s right next to Maison St Honore, the French macaron factory and patisserie – do not miss this place!

Pinelli Estate Wines - Travelling Corkscrew

Established in the 1980s by the Pinelli family, an Italian immigrant family who arrived in the 1950s, you’ll find some gorgeous wines on offer here. I loved their pink Moscato and definitely try the Durif, a red varietal that you don’t see too often (Olive Farm does one too).

And that’s my list of Swan Valley wineries you need to visit.

Of course, that’s based on where I’ve been so far, and as we love heading out and trying new wineries, I’m sure I’ll have to update this post at some point or maybe even write a part 2!

What are your favourite wineries to visit in the Swan Valley?

Let me know in the comments as I’m always keen to discover new ones from personal recommendations.

And if you know any with a South African connection even better!

A big thank you to Casey from the Travelling Corkscrew for allowing me to use some of her photos for this post!

About Author

Helping you move to, settle in, and explore your new home in Australia. Avid reader, beach lover, and horse addict. As someone who has emigrated, not once, not twice, but three times, I know exactly what you’re going through. The ups and downs of emigration are faster than a rollercoaster and I’ve been there – three times!

2 Comments

  • Duncan Harris
    20th November 2020 at 12:00 pm

    Reeva,
    What a lovely article, and well written too. Love to see you tasting some organic wines soon at Harris Organic Wines.

    regards

    Duncan

    Reply
    • Reeva Cutting
      20th November 2020 at 2:36 pm

      Hi Duncan, thanks so much for your comment – Harris Organic has been on my to do list for ages! Hopefully we will see you soon 🙂 Reeva

      Reply

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