The 25 Swan Valley Wines of Christmas
25 days, 25 wines, all from the Swan Valley & picked for you this Christmas!
Having recently moved to the Swan Valley in Western Australia and fallen in love with the area I thought I would share with you all some of the best buys and most delicious wines from the Valley. Yes I admit it, I am a workaholic and trust me, I will always have your taste buds in mind.
All the below wines have been chosen because they would make ideal presents during the festive season or as an ideal tipple to enjoy at this special time of year. Cheers & Merry Christmas to you all from the bottom of my glass.
On the 25th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Wine: Sittella Methode Traditionnalle Sparkling
Grape/s: Chenin Blanc
Vintage: NV
Price: $20
Why it’s awesome:
Sittella was featured as Day 1’s wine on my Swan Valley Christmas countdown and they well and truly deserve to be Day 25 as well. The Sittella Chenin Blanc bubbles has to be my favourite sparkling wine in the Swan Valley and you can be assured that I will be popping a bottle, or 3 of this on Christmas Day.
The best thing about this off-dry style sparkling is that both sweet-tooth’s and dry wine lovers will love it. It is a glistening goldy silver tinsel colour in the glass. On the nose you get a whiff of tropical fruits and in the mouth there is underlying fresh bread notes with vibrant melon and kiwifruit flavours, which entice you mouthful after mouthful.
At $20 a bottle, you are getting fantastic bang for your buck – the perfect carefree, celebratory drink on a special day like Christmas or on any day ending in Y!
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Where to buy it: Cellar door & Cellarbrations retail shops
On the 24th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
The Experience: Swan Valley Heritage Cycle Trail
Price: Completely free! Just remember to pack some water, sundscreen and your good to go!
Why it’s awesome:
No one has to sober drive, no one has to break any laws and you don’t have to spend a day on a tour bus with a group of girls with plastic penises dangling around their necks (Bachelorette party!).
You can enjoy the Swan Valley and it’s treasures at your own pace, in the fresh air and getting some exercise at the same time. Wherever you are in Perth, you can grab your bicycle (or hire one), jump on the Midland line train and jump off at Guildford station and you’re at the perfect starting point for a day cycling around the Swan Valley wineries. Just don’t forget some water!
For some pre-planned cycling itineraries click here. Also make sure you pop into the Tourist Centre in Guildford to grab a map and you can also ask for any tips and advice from the staff, they are super helpful and friendly. The routes have a series of signposts along the way so you can read about the area’s rich history along the way.
Location: Start point – Guildford Train Station
On the 23rd day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Wine: RiverBank Estate Celebration White
Grape/s: 80% Chardonnay, 10 % Semillon and 10% Pinot Noir
Vintage: NV
Price: $23
Why it’s awesome:
The name says it all “Celebration White” – this wine is made for special occasions. It is fresh, vibrant and made for the summer months.
In appearance this wine is sunshine yellow in the glass. The nose smells of sweet tropical fruits (think of the fruit markets in Thailand), these notes follow through onto the palate; lots of melon, baby bananas and nectarines seduce your taste buds.
A glass of this in one had, a ham or turkey sandwich in the other and all that Christmas stress will float away! 2 more sleeps!
Where to buy it: Cellar door
On the 22nd day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Wine: Ambrook Wines ‘Amonini Rosso D’Amore’
Grape/s: A secret blend according to the Winemaker
Vintage: 2010
Price: $20
Why it’s awesome:
The Italians make some of the best wine in the world, in my opinion. What sets them apart from the rest of the world is that they make wine especially to be enjoyed with food. Wine and food is life in Italy.
Here in the Swan Valley we have our very own family who has a long Italian history and they have brought their traditions and winemaking experience here for us to reap the benefits.
Todays wine is the Amonini Rosso D’Amore 2010 from Ambrook Wines. This wine is a semi-sweet red wine that is made to e chilled before serving. I find over summer it is too hot to drink red wine, but this perfectly chilled red is ideal for the hotter months. In the glass it is a beautiful deep magenta colour, aromas of wild forest berries and mint leaves roll out of the glass whilst on the palate this bad boy is Ribena for adults. Flavours of blackcurrant dominate with woody integrated tannins giving it that Adults Only kick.
This beauty is divine and would complete the perfect Christmas dinner.
Where to buy it: Cellar door
On the 21st day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Sandalford
The Experience: Lunch and wine tasting
Price: $3 to try the full list of wines at the cellar door and main meals are approximately $40
Why it’s awesome:
You can’t argue that the Sandalford property is not beautiful and I swear if you take someone for lunch here, they will be completely blown away. Its serene location amongst the vines will take you away to la la land. Start off your visit with the cellar door – you can try through the 14 wines on the menu for a mere $3 and once you reach the bottom you will know exactly what to pair with lunch.
The Sandalford restaurant has some of the best service i have experienced in Australia. You are taken care of without being pestered or pressured to order. Now to eat, on the particular occasion I went, we started off with marinated barrel aged feta; warm marinated local olives and royal blue chips with aioli. The feta was literally to die for, melt in your mouth goodness! To follow for our mains I went for the cumin rolled lamb loin, roast red pepper, slow cooked shoulder, artichoke, feta and olives and my partner went for the Margaret River wagyu beef medallions, potato and celeriac gratin, manjimup truffled wild mushrooms and sprout leaves. Yes it truly was as good as it sounds! Read more.
Location: 3210 West Swan Rd Caversham Western Australia 6055
On the 20h day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Wine: James Talijancich
Grape/s: Verdelho
Vintage: 2009
Price: $22
Why it’s awesome:
This baby drinks perfectly now, or you could keep it up until 2018! A case of this wine would be the gift that can keep on giving year after year. Plus Verdelho makes such food-friendly wines that you can virtually pair it up with most dishes – how about seafood BBQ breakfast on Christmas Day for a start!
The wine itself, is fresh, vibrant and full of the most delicious ripe stonefruits – think nectarine and peach with a acidic citrus kick at the end which leaves you wanting to go back for more… and more. It is a beautifully made wine to be enjoyed for every occasion on any day of the week (the perfect Monday pick-me-up after the holidays!).
Where to buy it: Cellar door & Cellarbrations retail shops
On the 19th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Wine: Houghton Sparkling Classic
Grape/s: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Vintage: NV
Price: $12
Why it’s awesome:
This sparkling wine wins on price value at only $12 a bottle! It is fruity, fresh and goes down a treat without cutting into that present budget.
Plus if you aren’t a big fan, you can always mix it with orange juice to go with the Christmas morning BBQ or you could fancy it up in a Champagne Cocktail (drop a sugar cube in the bottom of a Champagne flute, sprinkle on a dash of angostura bitters, top up with the sparkling wine and garnish with a fresh strawberry).
Where to buy it: Cellar door & Cellarbrations retail shops
On the 18th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Wine: Pinelli Reserve Scarlet
Grape/s: Pink Moscato
Vintage: 2012
Price: $17
Why it’s awesome:
The Scarlet Pink Moscato from Pinelli is handpicked from their family owned vineyard in Caversham. On it’s own this sweet and fruity pink petal is full of fresh watermelon and Turkish delight characteristics, an idea accompaniment to a fruit and cheese platter or spicy Asian food.
On the other hand this versatile tipple can be enjoyed as a long drink to be enjoyed on Christmas Eve or during the present giving.
Pink Moscato Cocktail:
In a tall glass fill with plenty of ice, add a shot of vodka, followed by a good squeeze of fresh lime, and then top the glass up with Moscato. Et Voila – your perfect Christmas party date!
Where to buy it: Cellar door
On the 17th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Wine: Lilac Hill Estate Late Picked Frontignan
Grape/s: Muscat de Frontignan
Vintage: 2011
Price: $18 per bottle, however you can pick 12 bottles up for $100 currently at the cellar door!
Why it’s awesome:
This award winning sweeter style wine comes from a 4 star rated James Halliday winery that is soon to close down. I was gobsmacked by the quality of the wine and fortified styles at this small winery on the side of the IronBark microbrewery in Caversham.
The wine is a vibrant lemon colour in the glass with honeyed tropical fruits with a dash of fresh herbs on the nose. In the mouth this beauty follows through with the fresh honey notes alongside pear and melon. Even though this wine is a sweeter style it still has a lovely citrus quality which makes your taste buds scream for more. It is the perfect dinner companion for a spicy Thai dish or Indian curry.
At $100 for 12 bottles when it is normally $18 per bottle you have got a darn good reason to buy yourself an early Christmas present! Plus they do have an awesome cleanskin Port style tipple for $12 which is like Christmas pudding in the glass!
Where to buy it: Cellar door: 55 Benara Road, Caversham, Western Australia 6055
On the 16th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: The Cheese Barrel Cafe at Olive Farm Wines
The Experience: Match a cheese board with a flight of wine!
Price: Wine flights from $8 for 4 tasting samples, cheese boards from $21
Why it’s awesome:
You can’t beat an afternoon of good wines and tasty cheeses. The Cheese Barrel cafe is the first of its kind in the Swan Valley and they happily take the ‘ what wine to drink with what cheese’ dilemma out of your hands and into theirs. Whether you need an afternoon away from the Christmas shopping madness or you want to give that ultimate food and wine gift for Christmas, The Cheese Barrel will kindly assist.
The cheeses available come from France, Spain, the United Kingdom, the USA and Australia. And as part of the Olive Farm Wines property, you have an extraordinary selection of quality wines to match.
What I loved is the “Regional Tasting Boards” menu. You could choose a country (Australia, France, Italy or Spain), and then enjoy a flight of 4 wines that have been expertly matched to the specific cheeses to give you the ultimate wine and cheese matching experience. These boards start from approximately $38, and the wine flights start at $8. The board is enough for a snack for 4 people (or perfect for 2 for lunch), which includes 50g of 4 different cheeses, Parisian baguette slices, crackers, muscatels and pan de higo.
I warn you though, this most delicious experience will leave you wanting more and you’ll no doubt have to keep going back until you have ate and drank your way through the entire menu. But hey, ’tis the season to overindulge!
Location: 920 Great Northern Highway, Swan Valley 6056
On the 15th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Wine: Jane Brook Estate (Middle Swan) Sparkling Gold
Grape/s: Chenin Blanc
Vintage: NV
Price: $65
Why it’s awesome:
Sparkling wine with gold flecks in, need I say more? This Chenin Blanc bubbly is perfect for the Christmas table or for that extra special Christmas gift. Exclusively sold at the Jane Brook cellar door in the Middle Swan you want be able to stop smiling once you crack a bottle of this liquid gold.
Plus if you’re feeling really extravagant you can opt for the Premium bottling:
“This exclusive product has been created in the traditional “methode champenoise” from 2010 Chardonnay/ Pinot Noir grapes with real Western Australian gold included during the disgorging stage of production. Packaged in a clear handmade bottle imported from Italy, then beautifully presented in a black & gold box with serving instructions and Jane Brook`s history, this wine is unique to Jane Brook and is available at our Cellar Door for $120. A perfect gift for that person who has everything!!” – Jane Brook Estate
Where to buy it: Cellar door
On the 14th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Carilley Estate (Herne Hill)
Grape/s: Merlot (late harvest)
Vintage: 2011
Price: $15
Why it’s awesome:
Wow the smell of Carilley Estate’s “Picasso” sweet Merlot will knock you back for six. Fresh red berries, currants, cherries and sweet vanilla square will hypnotise your senses. In appearance the Picasso is a stunning bright cherry red in the glass, it would make a great nail polish colour!
In the mouth the Picasso is fruit sweet, not sugary sweet so I believe it will satisfy both sweet and dry palates. Notes of fresh cherries, raspberries and strawberries come through. I feel this wine is still young and I believe it will be one that will improve over the next couple of years. My boyfriend absolutely loves this wine – perhaps instead of leaving out a glass of milk for Santa, you can leave him a glass of Picasso this year?
Make sure to read my post on visiting Carilley Estate by clicking here.
Where to buy it: Cellar door
On the 13th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Garbin Estate (Middle Swan)
Grape/s: Muscat
Vintage: NV
Price: $25
Why it’s awesome:
Garbin Estate is a boutique producer located in the Middle Swan. Their cellar door is a big old rustic shed and when you visit you will more than likely be looked after by one of the family – who are exceptionally knowledgeable on wine and are more than happy to answer all your questions.
I have to admit it was hard to pick my favourite Garbin wine, as they are all of a really high quality.
In the end I would have to say their fortified Liqueur Muscat, in its short stumpy bottle, was my favourite. It is a 24-carat gold in the glass with a honeyed apricot aroma. In the mouth this liqueur is the elixir of life – more honey notes come through with stewed apricot flavours laced with nuts. A bottle of this and some Christmas cake on Christmas Eve and you’ll be ho-ho-hoing away.
Where to buy it: Cellar door and online
On the 12th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Sandalford (Caversham)
Grape/s: Shiraz 74%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%, Merlot 4% and Viognier 3%
Vintage: 2009
Price: $12 – $14
Why it’s awesome:
The grapes from Sandalford’s Elements range are largely sourced from the Swan Valley, with a few coming from other regions in Western Australia. I am not a huge fan of the presentation of these bottles and to be honest I had avoided trying the range because I thought the label looked a bit tacky. Wow was I so wrong!
This wine is an extraordinary dark magenta colour in the glass, aromas of stewed black plums, blackberries, nutmeg and vanilla rise up from the glass. One whiff and you’re captured. In the mouth this beauty is uncomplicated, approachable, and oh so attractive – it’s the booty call of wines! It’s ribena for adults with plentiful juicy fruit flavours exploding in your mouth.
I like to think of this wine as the perfect go to wine for when you’ve been busy all week with Christmas parties, shopping and card writing and simply just want to unwind with an affordable but great tasting wine! Plus I can confidently vouch for it as a perfect match with good old fashioned spaghetti bolognaise – match made in taste bud heaven!
Where to buy it: Cellar door and online, Cellarbrations Retails Shops, CrackaWines and Dan Murphy’s Retail Shops.
On the 11th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Neilson Estate (Millendon)
Grape/s: Shiraz
Vintage: 2007
Price: $18
Why it’s awesome:
This small family run estate make small quantities of quality wine. Many of their wines have won awards since Neilson Estate began winemaking in 2004. This 5 year old Shiraz named “Titan’s Trail” has reached its optimum drinking age and will be drinking better than ever right now.
It’s deep garnet in appearance with aromas of dark juicy black berries and spice. In the mouth the black berries are still there alongside notes of plum, fresh vanilla, a touch of liquorice and a sprinkling of cinnamon and black pepper. It is a full bodied, aged tipple; which makes an affordable and unique gift for that Secret Santa present.
Where to buy it: Cellar door
On the 10th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Upper Reach (Baskerville)
Grape/s: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2010
Price: $28
Why it’s awesome:
This Reserve Chardonnay is a Tiffany yellow diamond colour in the glass. This beauty is sure to make anyones heart flutter. The nose is full of vanilla essence from the oak ageing and baked spiced fruits. The palate is fairly oaky, caramel like, yet it has a beautiful balanced elegance to it which ends with a tasty lemon cupcake finish.
This is a full on Chardy, that comes with commitment just like that little white ribboned blue box. It is a fabulous wine to match with Christmas dinner – a real compliment to rich white meats and of course seafood. Plus this baby still has a good few years left in it, that’s if you are patient enough to cellar it!
Where to buy it: Cellar door and Cellarbrations Retail Shops
On the 9th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Fish Tail Wines (Caversham)
Grape/s: Merlot
Vintage: 2010
Price: $25
Why it’s awesome:
With only limited quantities left, this sparkling wine made from the Merlot grape is a winner. The Fish Tail property has recently been purchased by Sandalford just up the road so you won’t be seeing many of these bottles round as of September next year.
The wine itself is a brilliant peachy-pink colour with plentiful bubbles erupting in the glass. On the nose this sparkling made me think of barbequed strawberries while in the mouth this Tipsy Trout was elegant, delicate and tasted like strawberry compote.
This quirky wine would make an awesome gift for yourself or for any wine lover – especially those who like fish! The cellar door is definitely worth a visit with plenty of bits and pieces that will make great stocking stuffers. Plus due to the impending closing down you can pick up cases of wine from $70!
Where to buy it: Cellar door
On the 8th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Mandoon Estate (Caversham)
Grape/s: Verdelho
Vintage: 2012
Price: $18
Why it’s awesome:
This prize-winning Verdelho is a light yellow straw colour on the eye. Flowers, citrus rind and freshly cut grass on the nose. And in the mouth you get the full mouth covering experience! Every tiny taste bud enjoys this with flavours of lemoncello and herbs coming through.
It an absolute stunner on its own, perfect to accompany opening presents – however it is also a fantastic food wine. It can stand up to spicy food and works well with roast vegetables alongside seafood, chicken and veal dishes.
Where to buy it: Cellar door and Cellarbrations Retail Shops
On the 7th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Jarrah Ridge Wines (Herne Hill)
Grape/s: Cabernet Merlot
Vintage: 2010
Price: $12 (but tastes like $42!)
Why it’s awesome:
I promise if you buy someone a bottle of this for someone this Christmas, they are going to scold you for spending too much! Jarrah Ridge’s Virginia 2010 Cabernet Merlot will give you wings! Literally one whiff of this and you’ll be flying. This is one of those wines you could simply keep smelling all night long, its black currant, plum, black olive and spice notes will intoxicate you till you starting seeing stars.
In the mouth the same fruits of the forest flavours come through with moderate tannins and great length – a bottle of this, and a good old fashioned beef wellington and Christmas dinner is a winner!
Where to buy it: Cellar door
On the 6th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Lamont’s (Millendon)
Grape/s: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2011
Price: $30 at the cellar door and $35 from Cellarbrations
Why it’s awesome:
Technically 70% of the grapes for this one come from the Margaret River; however the other 30% of the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in this bottle are from the Swan Valley. This sparkling wine is made using the traditional Champagne method, they even hand riddle and disgorge the wine on site. Plus i just love the cute coil around the neck of its bottle, it really makes you take a second look at it’s funky presentaion.
The colour is a glistening coral with a nice fine bead of bubbles constantly streaming up in the glass. On the nose this beauty smells exactly like a fresh pot of strawberry yoghurt. In the mouth this sparkling is delicate, well balanced and it slips down the throat like a sip of heaven. It is a dry sparkling but I think even sweet-tooths would enjoy this bubbles, garnish with a fresh strawberry and you will definitely be winning smiles! It is a cute wine, that will surely make any girl blush with happiness – or perhaps the blushing is due to that sexy guy across the room with the reindeer antlers on and red nose!
Where to buy it: Cellar door and Cellarbrations Retail Shops
On the 5th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Lancaster Wines (West Swan)
Grape/s: Chenin Blanc (Late Picked)
Vintage: 2010
Price: $28
Why it’s awesome:
This sticky (dessert wine) is one of my favourite wines from Lancaster. If you know me, then you know I don’t like sweet wines. However for this little sweetie I would drive miles, work my arse off and basically move hills for its golden nectar. It is not ‘tooth-ache in a glass’ sweet, it has plenty of pineapple, honey, pear and tropical notes with a refreshing hint of lemon. A bottle of this and a platter of cheese and I’ll be one happy girl – let’s just hope I made it onto Santa’s nice list this year 😉
Read more about visitng Lancaster Wines cellar door here.
Where to buy it: Cellar door
On the 4th day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Windy Creek (Herne Hill)
Grape/s: Chenin Blanc
Vintage: 2012
Price: $12 or $120 for a case (bargain!)
Why it’s awesome: I don’t agree with the bronze medal on this CheninBlanc from the Swan Valley Wine Show. It deserves gold in my books! I’m not ahuge CB drinker but after a whiff, slurp and spit I was in awe. It has the mostgorgeous bouquet of tropical fruits; it reminded me of the fresh fruit standsin Thailand – yum! The palate is equally delectable with some citrus comingthrough which makes for a nice palate cleanser, leaving your mouth feelingfresh and salivating for more. Make sure to pop a bottle of this and a freshseafood platter on your list to Santa Claus this year!
Read more about visitng the Windy Creek cellar door here.
Where to buy it: Cellar door
On the 3rd day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Olive Farm Wines (Millendon)
Grape/s: Petit Verdot
Vintage: 2007
Price: $25
Why it’s awesome: If you love a full bodied red. This baby is your Santa! It is a deep opaque scarlet colour that is sure to stain, so beware! The nose is abundant with flavours of chocolate truffles to blackcurrant to pine Christmas trees. It really does exude that Christmas feeling. In the mouth this sexy mysterious tipple is just as inviting with peppermint dark chocolate, black boy plums, and slightly green tannins coming through which show that this wine is only going to get better with age, perhaps this is the George Clooney of the Swan Valley! Candles, bubble bath, a glass (or bottle – decanted preferably!) of this and you have yourself an early Christmas present!
Where to buy it: Cellar door & Cellarbrations retail outlets
On the 2nd day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Tyler’s Vineyard (Millendon)
Grape/s: Grenache
Vintage: 2011
Price: $18
Why it’s awesome: This blush is a salmon colour in the glass. The nose is full of bright red berries and in the mouth this beauty is full pf plush red fruits (raspberries predominately) dusted with icing sugar and it has a delicious crisp finish. If you’re looking for a rather unknown wine to give for a gift this year, something unique – this is the one for you! Plus you can even personalise the wine with your own label – read more here.
Where to buy it:
The cellar door in the Valley:
Address: 301 Padbury Ave, Millendon WA 6056
Opening times: Monday, Thursday & Friday 11am to 3pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm
On the 1st day of Christmas the Travelling Corkscrew brings to you…
Winery: Sittella (Herne Hill)
Grape/s: Verdelho
Vintage: 2010
Price: $17
Why it’s awesome: Can anyone say tangy apples? This knockout is like candy to a baby – tropical (dehydrated pineapple comes to mind!) and fruit sweet with a good dose of citrus fruits to give it that ahhhhh refreshing quality.
The best thing is that even thought this wine is awesome to drink now, it is projected to get better with its best drinking date sitting in 2015! It is great as a tipple on its own and equally as good with a variety if foods from risotto to Thai and fresh seafood. This wine won’t disappoint, so make sure your on Santa’s nice list this year!
Where to buy it: Cellarbrations Bottle Shops and various other retail outlets. Click here for a full list. The cellar door located at: 100 Barrett Street, Herne Hill, WA 6056
