Rare Ozzies Book describes 120 Rare Australian Wine varieties details here.

Perth Hills Wine Region

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

Some of the Alternative Varieties grown in the Perth Hills Region

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
• Carlden Homestead Wines Chenin Blanc, Tempranillo, Trebbiano
• Cosham Petit verdot
• 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, Vermentino
• Myattsfield Vineyard and Winery Durif, Tempranillo, Touriga

Pictures from WA WIneries

2 bottles each of some stunning alternative reds.

Sangiovese, Barbera, Touriga and more. 

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