Perth Hills Wine Region

The Perth Hills Wine Region lies to the east of the better known Swan Valley Wine Region.

La Fattoria in the Perth Hills make a wine from a range of alternative varieties

Although this region abuts the more famous Swan Valley Wine Region the climate is markedly cooler, a consequence  of its greater altitude, 400m higher.  Thus vintage in the Perth Hills is typically 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 with different aspects and microclimates and often 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 later 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.

Wineries and Varieties in the Perth Hills region

• Brookside Chenin Blanc, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo
• Carldenn Homestead Wines Chenin Blanc, Tempranillo, Trebbiano
• Cosham Petit Verdot
• Due Jolly Vermentino
• Hainault Gewurztraminer
• Jarrah Ridge Winery Chenin Blanc, Zinfandel
• Kyotmunga Estate Barbera, Chenin Blanc, Taminga
• La Fattoria Barbera, Biancone, Brachetto, Fiano, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Nero d'Avola, Pignoletto, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Vermentino
• Lion Mill Vineyards Durif, Graciano, Montepulciano, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Zinfandel
• Millbrook Winery Arneis, Durif, Malbec, Nebbiolo, Pedro Ximenez, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Verdejo, Vermentino
• Myattsfield Vineyard and Winery Durif, Tempranillo, Touriga, Vermentino
• Tonon Vineyard and Winery Fiano, Malbec, Prosecco, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Vermentino

La Fattoria is one of the leading varietal innovators in WA.  They contributed comments to my Rare Ozzies book for the rare varieties Biancone, Brachetto and Pignoletto.

Some of the Alternative Varieties grown in the Perth Hills Region

Pictures from WA WIneries

This dozen contains 2 bottles from each of six different producers in several regions. The varieties included are Alicante Bouschet, Carmenere, Lagrein, Montepulciano and Sangiovese, plus a red blend from Heathcote containing Nero d’Avola, Sangiovese, Lagrein, Schioppettino & a little Lambrusco Maestro.

Details here