180 years of Winemaking in the Swan Valley

The Swan Valley is Western Australia’s oldest wine region and 2014 marks 180 years of winemaking in the Swan Valley! Sometimes I don’t think Perth knows how lucky it is. Everyone I meet thinks that the Swan Valley is so far from the city. You mean that super long 25 minute drive from the CBD????

The Swan Valley is the second closest wine region to a major city in the world (after Vienna in Austria). And quite possibly it is for that reason that I’ve decided to make Perth my home. It’s not just the close proximity to all that wine but it’s all those lovely boutique, family run wineries that have really stolen my heart. I love visiting wineries where the owners are at the cellar door spilling out all their passion and love for the wine to anyone and everyone who’ll listen.

Plus the quality of wine coming out of the Swan Valley is simply fantastic. The Swan Valley produces some of the best Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Shiraz and Petit Verdot  in Australia. Not to mention the stunning fortified wines coming out of the region. Being one of the warmest wine regions in Australia, these grapes thrive in the hot dry summers of the Swan Valley.

Harvesting of the grapes in Swan Valley usually begins in early-mid January and carries on right through to March – the different grape varieties need to be picked at different times to make sure they have reached their full potential (i.e. sugar/brix and acidity levels).

The 2014 harvest has already begun and there’ll be plenty of events to celebrate the 2014 when all the work is done. Below are some of my favourite Swan Valley resources that I use to keep updated on what’s happening around the Valley:

• The Swan Valley Facebook page
• The Swan Valley website
• Swan Valley & Regional Winemakers Association
• Swan Valley & Regional Winemakers Association Facebook Page

If you’re interested in reading about my adventures in the Swan Valley, make sure you check out my Swan Valley Guide.