The Perth Hills Wine Region lies to the east of the better known Swan Valley Wine Region.
Although this region abuts the Swan Valley Wine region the climate is markedly cooler, thus vintage in the Hills is 10-20 days later.
The region is very close to Perth and it is surprising that the modern era of winemaking only gathered momentum during the 1990s. The vineyards are located on the western slopes of the Darling Range. There is an abundance of hills, ridges and valleys mostly with good soils for viticulture.
The region is close enough to be influenced by sea breezes from the Indian Ocean; the diverse effects of these breezes added to altitudes varying between 150-400 metres mean that there is a wide selection of microclimates for grapegrowing. Some sites are obviously cool enough for Pinot noir and there are others which are suitable for late ripening varieties such as Grenache and Pedro Ximenes.
As a relatively new region it is not surprising to see a smattering of new varieties here as well as the WA classics of Chenin blanc and Verdelho.
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