If you’re looking for a Swan Valley winery that feels welcoming, personal and relaxed, let me introduce you to one of my favourites: Upper Reach Winery.
We’ve been visiting Upper Reach Winery for years now, and it’s one of those places we keep coming back to for different reasons. Sometimes it’s for a leisurely wine tasting of their new releases, sometimes for casual pizza at the Treehouse Pizza Bar, and sometimes it’s one of their wonderful Twilight Concerts when we fancy an evening of wine, food and live music amongst the vines.
All About Upper Reach Winery
Located in the beautiful Swan Valley, Upper Reach is a family-owned boutique winery with estate-grown wines, a restaurant, accommodation and a whole range of experiences. It’s also one of those places that makes me realise you really don’t have to travel far from Perth to feel like you’ve escaped for the day.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Upper Reach Winery.
Getting To Upper Reach Winery
Upper Reach Winery is in Baskerville, right in the heart of the Swan Valley. It’s around 30 minutes from Perth, depending on where you’re starting from and, of course, what the traffic is doing. That makes it an easy option for a day out when you want to get out of the city without spending half your day in the car, or a ton of money in fuel, which seems to be climbing by the day again lately.
If you’re new to Perth, the Swan Valley is one of the easiest wine regions to explore from the city, and Upper Reach is a lovely addition to your Swan Valley itinerary. You can easily combine your visit with other wineries, breweries, chocolate shops, cafés and local produce stops in the surrounding area. We often make a day of it rather than visiting just one place.
The winery sits right alongside the Swan River, surrounded by vines, so the setting is a big part of the experience. There’s something particularly lovely about arriving, leaving the suburbs behind and suddenly finding yourself surrounded by vineyards and big stretches of open sky.
The official address is 77 Memorial Avenue, Baskerville, and the cellar door is currently open every day from 11am to 5pm.
A Brief History Of Upper Reach Winery
The story of Upper Reach is very much a family story, and I think knowing a little about it makes visiting the winery even more interesting. Owners Laura and Derek Pearse bought the run-down vineyard in 1996 after returning to Western Australia. Derek had grown up on his family’s wheat farm near Wubin and discovered his passion for wine while working at a wine store in London, where he met Laura, a local Londoner.
The couple apparently arrived at the property with around 10,000 vines to prune and very little practical experience of actually growing grapes. Their first vintage and what started as a rather brave leap into the unknown has gradually developed into the established boutique winery we know today.
There’s plenty of history around the property too. The original workers’ cottage dates back to 1907, while the surrounding Swan Valley has a much longer agricultural and cultural history. The region is on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people, who have lived in the area for more than 40,000 years.
Wine Tasting At Upper Reach Winery
For me, one of the best reasons to visit Upper Reach is simply the wine. We’ve been back for tastings many times over the years, and there’s something really enjoyable about trying a varied selection and chatting about the wines without feeling like you’re being rushed through a huge commercial operation.
The cellar door offers tastings of Upper Reach’s estate-grown wines, with a selection of wines from their current collection. Tastings are available every day, and smaller groups don’t need to book, although larger groups are recommended make arrangements ahead of time.
I have a few personal favourites, although my preferences do tend to change depending on the weather and what we’re eating. Their Verdelho is one I particularly enjoy, along with the Black Bream White and their amazing Rosé. If you’re a fan of crisp, refreshing whites or a good rosé on a warm Perth afternoon, I’d definitely recommend giving them a try.
Wine Tours & Experiences At Upper Reach
If you’re interested in more than simply tasting wine, Upper Reach has some great experiences that let you see what happens behind the cellar door. Their private winery tours take you through the vineyard and working winery, giving you an insight into everything from growing the grapes through to making the finished wine. You’ll also taste wines along the way, including wine straight from barrel or tank.
The private tours currently run at 10.30am and include options for either a tour and tasting or a longer experience combining the tour, tasting and a two-course lunch. There are also wine appreciation classes if you want to understand a little more about what’s actually in your glass. Wine 101 covers the basics, while Wine 102 takes things further with food and wine matching.
I think these experiences are particularly good if you’ve recently moved to Australia and are looking for something a little different to do with visiting family or friends. It’s also a lovely way to discover more about the Swan Valley beyond simply hopping between cellar doors. The tour also makes a great gift for that someone you know who is always hard to buy for!
The Restaurant At Upper Reach
If you’re going to Upper Reach, I’d definitely consider staying for lunch. The restaurant looks out across the vineyard, and there’s something about a long lunch with a glass of wine and a view of the vines that feels quintessentially Swan Valley. The menu changes with the seasons and focuses heavily on local produce, with the winery saying more than 90% of the produce used across the restaurant and Treehouse Pizza Bar is locally sourced.
The restaurant is currently open for lunch from Wednesday to Sunday, with bookings recommended, particularly if you’re visiting at a busy time or with a group. It’s a great option for a birthday, anniversary, catch-up with friends or simply one of those days when you decide that lunch should be an event rather than something squeezed into your afternoon.
We’ve always enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere at Upper Reach, and I think that’s part of its appeal. You can do a wine tasting, have lunch, wander around the property and generally forget that you’re only about half an hour from Perth. It’s the sort of place where you arrive intending to stay for an hour and somehow find yourself still there several hours later.
Treehouse Pizza Bar
The Treehouse Pizza Bar is another reason we’ve returned to Upper Reach over and over. It’s a more casual alternative to the restaurant, with handmade Neapolitan-style pizzas, wine and a relaxed outdoor setting overlooking the vines. The pizza menu is relatively short, but honestly, I think that’s part of the charm because what they do, they do well. With my teen and his limited tastes when eating out, the Margherita here is one of his favourites.
The Treehouse Pizza Bar is currently open on weekends for lunch, with walk-ins welcome, although larger groups can and probably should book. You can also bring a picnic blanket and lawn chairs and enjoy your pizza and wine on the Upper Reach lawns. We’ve enjoyed pizza on picnic blankets when the Treehouse has been jam-packed. Gluten-free and vegan pizza options are available by request, so there are options if your group has different dietary requirements.
One thing worth mentioning if you’re planning a visit with your four-legged family members: Upper Reach used to be dog friendly, but it isn’t anymore, so you’ll need to leave the pooches at home. There are, however, two gorgeous golden retrievers who live on the property and seem to have perfected the art of wandering around looking for cuddles and snacks. They’re ridiculously cute and are definitely part of the Upper Reach experience!
Twilight Concerts At Upper Reach
If you haven’t been to one of Upper Reach’s Twilight Concerts yet, put this one on your Perth summer bucket list. I’ve been several times and it’s one of those experiences that reminds me why I love living in Perth. The concerts combine live music, wine, food and the Swan Valley at that magical time of day when the sun starts disappearing and everything seems to glow.
The concerts are picnic-style events showcasing soul, swing and jazz, with different options depending on how you want to spend the evening. You can book general admission and bring your own picnic, choose the Pizza & Show option at the Treehouse, or book dinner and enjoy the concert from the restaurant.
We’ve done the pizza and BYO picnic options before and it’s such a lovely night out. You get to sit amongst the vines, eat pizza, drink wine and listen to live music as the evening unfolds. The concerts are seasonal and popular, so I’d recommend keeping an eye on the Upper Reach events calendar and booking when tickets are released rather than leaving it until the last minute.
Stay At Upper Reach Winery
Yes, you can actually stay at Upper Reach, which means you don’t necessarily have to nominate a designated driver or rush home after your winery experience. The Vineyard Cottage is the original 1907 workers’ cottage, which has been refurbished into comfortable accommodation surrounded by the winery’s 20-acre vineyard. It’s the sort of place that makes a Swan Valley weekend feel like a proper little getaway.
The cottage has two queen-sized bedrooms, making it suitable for a family or two couples, along with a kitchen, living area, log fire, air conditioning and a deck overlooking the vines. One of my favourite things about the idea of staying here is that you can spend the afternoon with a glass of wine on the deck watching the sunset, rather than having to get back in the car and head home.
Upper Reach also offers packages combining accommodation with wine experiences and lunch, which could make a lovely birthday present or romantic weekend away. Weekend bookings have a minimum two-night stay, so it’s better suited to a proper Swan Valley escape rather than a quick overnight stop.
Why I Keep Going Back To Upper Reach Winery
There are plenty of wineries in the Swan Valley, so what makes Upper Reach one that I keep returning to? For me, it’s the combination of good wine, beautiful surroundings and the fact that it still feels personal and relaxed. We’ve visited for wine tastings, pizza, concerts and simply to spend some time enjoying the property, and each experience has its own appeal.
I also love that you can make your visit whatever you want it to be. You can pop in for a quick tasting, spend an afternoon over lunch, book a behind-the-scenes tour, learn more about wine, listen to live music or stay overnight. It works just as well for a casual Sunday outing as it does for a special occasion.
And then, of course, there’s the wine. I’m always happy to leave with a bottle or two, particularly when the Verdelho or Rosé are available! If you’re exploring the Swan Valley and haven’t yet visited Upper Reach, I’d definitely recommend adding it to your list.
Things To Know Before Visiting Upper Reach Winery
Before you head off, it’s worth checking the Upper Reach website for the latest opening hours, menus, events and booking requirements because these can sometimes change depending on the season. The Cellar Door is currently open daily from 11am to 5pm, while the restaurant is open for lunch Wednesday to Saturday and the Treehouse Pizza Bar operates on weekends only for lunch.
If you’re planning a winery tour, wine class, large group tasting, restaurant lunch or Twilight Concert, I’d book ahead rather than assuming you’ll be able to turn up. Smaller cellar-door tastings are generally easier and walk-ins are welcome for groups of fewer than ten, but popular events and experiences can fill quickly.
And remember that this isn’t somewhere I’d recommend treating as a quick stop between other attractions. Give yourself time to enjoy it properly, especially if you’re having lunch or visiting the Treehouse. The whole point of Upper Reach is to slow down, enjoy the wine, eat something delicious and soak up that beautiful Swan Valley setting.
After all our visits over the years, Upper Reach Winery remains one of my favourite places for a relaxed day out in the Swan Valley. Whether you’re new to Perth and looking for places to explore, have family visiting from overseas, or simply want an excuse to drink wine amongst the vines, it’s well worth putting on your list.
From the estate-grown wines and freshly baked pizzas to the restaurant, vineyard cottage and Twilight Concerts, there are plenty of reasons to keep coming back. And if you’re anything like us, you’ll probably find yourself choosing a favourite wine and planning your next visit before you’ve even left!
If you’re looking for more ideas for things to do around Perth, have a look at my guides to Lavender Estate and Rottnest Island. There are plenty more places to discover now that Perth is home, whether you’ve been here for 10 days, 10 months, or 10 years plus!
Information including opening hours, experiences and events can change, so check their website before planning your visit.
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