The Swan Valley Region
The Swan District region is an extensive area north of Perth. It runs along the coast just south of Guilderton and it north west boundary extends up to the town of Wannamal . Wineries are found around the towns of Gingin and Yanchep. However, the main concentration of wineries and vineyards are in a narrow band along the Avon River just north of Midland and the head of the Swan River around Guildford. This area is now designated the Swan Valley sub-region.
The flat plains of the Swan River produce highly drinkable wines. Chenin Blanc and Verdelho display both rich and fresh characters and locally produced Rosé is the perfect summer drink.
Swan Valley Sub-region
The alluvial soils of the Swan Valley and its proximity to Perth saw early horticultural development. Vines were planted in the 1800s for both wine and fruit and production became quite substantial by the 1860s. Well known amongst these were Houghtons and Sandalford who are now household names. The Valley maintained its economic equilibrium through tough times by supplying the rush of gold diggers to the state who in turn invested in horticulture when their time on the gold fields came to an end. As a number of the estate names attest, the region was also settled by a significant number of southern Europeans who came after the First World War.
Growth since World War II has been steady with peaks in the 1970s at the time when consumption of table wine really took off.
The main towns are Guildford, Caversham, Baskerville, Middle Swan, Herne Hill and Upper Swan. Guilford was established as a river port. It has retained many of its hertitage buildings, giving visitors an insight into the Valley's colonial past. At Caversham, also on the river is Sandalford Wines's historic Caversham Estate. Travelling north along the Great Northern Highway to Middle Swan you find some of the Swan Valley's largest wineries such as Jane Brook Estate and BRL's Houghton Wines and Moondah Brook. The highway takes you to Upper Swan which marks the Valley's northern boundary. The sub-region also boasts many fine boutique wineries amongst them Ambrook Estate, Talijancich Wine and Westfield Wines.
The climate is Mediterranean tempered by Indian Ocean breezes. The main table wine varieties are Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Semillon Verdelho Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz. The climate is excellent for growing Muscat Gordo Blanco and Muscadelle producing the region's highly regarded fortified wines.
The Swan Valley is a mere 20 minutes by road from Perth making it a haven for food and wine loving day trippers or weekend stayers. The Valley can also be travelled via the more leisurely river. The traveller is well catered for with fine restaurants, farmers markets and the full range of accommodation services.
Harvest time: mid February to early March
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