Swan Valley

Vines were planted in the Swan Valley from 1829, within months of the Swan River Colony being founded, making it the oldest wine region in Western Australia. The climate is hot, which suits fortified wines, verdelho and chenin blanc more than delicate styles, and the valley's character was shaped heavily by Croatian and Italian migrant families whose names remain on the wineries. Its main advantage is proximity: cellar doors, breweries, distilleries, chocolate and nougat makers sit within a short drive of Perth, linked by a food and wine trail. River cruises run up the Swan from the city, and the Whiteman Park reserve nearby holds a wildlife park and tramway.

History

The Wadjuk Noongar lived here for more than 40,000 years, and in their tradition the valley was made by the serpent Wagyl, who still lives beneath the Swan River. Captain James Stirling explored the area in 1827 and praised its soil and scenery, and when he founded the colony in 1829 Guildford, at the southern end of the valley, was one of its three settlements; within ten years two of Perth's oldest churches, St Mary's at Middle Swan and All Saints at Henley Brook, had been built (Wikipedia, Swan Valley - Western Australia).

The main sights

• The old wineries - cellar doors from families established here for generations.
• The food trail - chocolate, nougat, cheese and brewery stops along the route.
• The river cruises - boats running up the Swan from Perth to the valley.
• Whiteman Park - the bushland reserve with wildlife and heritage transport.

When to go

April to November for comfortable weather; summer in the valley regularly exceeds thirty-five degrees, hotter than Perth itself. Weekends are busy and some cellar doors close by 5pm. Harvest runs February and March.

Good to know

Summer heat is severe. The wine styles are robust rather than refined, and the region is often compared unfavourably with Margaret River. A driver or tour is needed, and the valley is spread out with highway sections between stops.

Nearby

Perth is half an hour southwest; the Perth Hills rise to the east.