Swan Valley Wine Region

The Swan Valley is a picturesque wine region is on the outskirts of the city of Perth in Western Australia and is part of the much larger Swan District.

The climate is here quite hot so many of the wineries actually source some of their grapes from cooler wine regions of Western Australia outside the region.

There have been several phases in the history of viticulture and winemaking in this region. Houghtons (established 1836) and Sandalford (1840) are among the oldest wineries in Australia.

During the 20th Century new immigrants, both before and after the Second World War, many from the former Yugoslavia, established vineyards in the region.

Over the past couple of decades many new wineries have been established, while older vineyards which formerly emphasised fortified and bulk wines have been renewed and are now used to produce premium table wines.

Chenin Blanc and Verdelho were among the mainstream varieties in this region. Both of these grape varieties produce reliably in the hot climate, although they have reputations for producing fairly nondescript wines when over cropped. Nowadays more winemakers and consumers are demanding quality rather than quantity from the vineyards so the general standard of wines from these varieties is improving.

Zinfandel is a popular alternative red wine variety in Western Australia, and several Swan Valley wineries are using it. Late ripening Petit Verdot would also seem to have potential here as well. Over recent years a few growers have begun using Tempranillo.

Over the past decades there has been an acceleration in the use of alternative varieties in this region.

Alternative varieties in the Swan Valley

• Ambrook Wines Sangiovese, Vermentino
• Caravino Barbera, Tempranillo
• Corymbia Chenin Blanc, Malbec, Tempranillo
• Faber Vineyard Chenin Blanc, Durif, Malbec, Petit Verdot
• Garbin Estate Chenin Blanc, Sangiovese
• Harris Organic Wines Bastardo, Chenin Blanc, Madeleine Angevine, Muscadelle, Pedro Ximenez, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Tempranillo, Touriga
• Heafod Glen Winery Chenin Blanc
• Henley Park Winery Chenin Blanc, Negramoll, Souzao, Tinto Cao
• Jane Brook Estate Chenin Blanc, Malbec
• John Kosovich Wines Chenin Blanc, Malbec
• Lamonts Chenin Blanc, Malbec, Pedro Ximenez
• Lancaster Wines Chenin Blanc
• Little River Wines Malbec, Marsanne
• Mandoon Chenin Blanc
• Mann Cygne Blanc
• Nikola Estate Arinto, Barbera, Chenin Blanc, Malbec, Mencia, Montepulciano, Nero d'Avola, Tempranillo, Vermentino
• Oakover Estate Chenin Blanc, Vermentino
• Olive Farm Wines Alicante Bouschet, Arinto, Bastardo, Chenin Blanc, Durif, Madeleine Angevine, Mencia, Malbec, Negroamaro, Pedro Ximenez, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Tempranillo, Touriga
• Pandemonium Estate Chenin Blanc, Savagnin, Tempranillo
• Pinelli Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Durif, Vermentino
• Riverbank Estate Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Vermentino, Zinfandel
• Sittella Albarino, Chenin Blanc, Malbec, Pedro Ximenes, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Touriga
• Talijancich Chenin Blanc, Graciano, Muscadelle, Pedro Ximenez, Tempranillo
• Torrent Chenin Blanc, Vermentino
• Upper Reach Vineyard Chenin Blanc, Tempranillo
• Vino Volta Chenin Blanc, Dolcetto, Fiano, Gewurztraminer, Tempranillo, Touriga
• Windy Creek Estate Chenin Blanc, Vermentino

Touring The Swan Valley

The Swan Valley is easily visited as a day trip from Perth. Why not let someone else do the driving for you?

Wine tour operators offer benefits such as saving you the hassle of organising a designated driver, and navigating to find the venues. 

They also use their local knowledge to handle any booking arrangements.

Often they are able to set up specialist and behind the scene tasting experiences.

  See a range of tours here.

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