When one thinks of a WA wine-tasting adventure, Margaret River is likely the destination that immediately springs to mind…
Perth is renowned for its idyllic beaches and parks. But holidaymakers may not know, is Western Australia’s capital is home to a number of wineries roughly 30 minutes from the city. So if you don’t have that extra few days up your sleeve to head to the state’s south-west, you can still have a superb wine-tasting experience – without having to say goodbye to phone signal.
Here are eight of the best wineries near Perth.
Plume Estate
Distance from Perth: 35 mins
Sip on durif while admiring the Bickley Valley view. (Image: Supplied)
You’ll find Plume Estate situated in the picturesque Bickley Valley. It’s a place nestled among the tranquil Perth Hills, where peaks are raised approximately 350 metres in the air. Plume takes advantage of its prime location, treating visitors to sweeping, panoramic views of green valleys and expansive vineyards (hot tip: book a post-tasting lunch to sit and bask in the vista.) Try their durif, a lesser-known red primarily grown in Australia, California, France, and Israel. It produces tannic wines with a spicy, plummy flavour.
H&C Urban Winery
Distance from Perth: 25 minutes
Take a seat and enjoy barrel-aged wine tastings.
Perth’s only urban winery, H&C takes up residence in a 1000-square-metre converted warehouse in the heart of Fremantle. They ferment and bottle their own wine (made from WA-grown grapes) on-site at the rear of the venue – while the front is a lively bar and restaurant space where you can do a tasting.
But you aren’t limited to just their wines – you’ll find an extensive list of drops from other regions, with a particular lean to smaller, lesser-known estates. So if you don’t get the chance to get out to other WA wine regions, you can still try them here.
Mandoon Estate
Distance from Perth: 30 mins
The winery is nestled among tranquil greenery. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Mandoon Estate has the enviable title of being WA’s most-awarded boutique winery. The sprawling venue encompasses a working winery, cellar door, restaurant, accommodation and sprawling verdant grassed area aptly named ‘The Llawn’ where you can throw down a picnic blanket, order good wine and woodfired pizzas and listen to live music. Try their verdelho, which was recently awarded 965 points by Ray Jordan Wine.
Lancaster Wines
Distance from Perth: 35 mins
Step into the expansive vineyard and peruse the offering at the cellar door. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Lancaster Wines lay claim to some of the oldest vines in the Swan Valley – not that you’d know it from their humble abode. Stop by the tin shed for outstanding chenin blanc, verdelho, chardonnay and shiraz. But Lancaster Wines is renowned for its dessert wine, so be sure to pick up a bottle to take home. If you’re keen on a sweet treat, head across the road to the Chocolate Factory for something indulgent.
Fairbrossen
Distance from Perth: 35 mins
Fairborssen’s charming tasting room is located in the verdant Perth Hills, with beautiful views to enjoy on a grazing board or platter with your wines. Their boutique, artisanal winemaking follows environmentally sustainable and organic principles with minimal interventions, and produces sparkling, chardonnay vermentino, rose, cab sav, syrah, tempranillo and malbec – but if you’re feeling adventurous try their saperavi. This lesser-known varietal is an 8000-year-old Georgian grape variety and the only wine of its kind from Western Australia.
Myattsfield Vineyards
Distance from Perth: 35 mins
Discover the essence of artisanal winemaking. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Myattsfield Vineyards is owned by married couple Josh and Rachael who both have their own supreme pedigree in winemaking, with the pair both growing up in winemaking families. While everything on the Myattsfield tasting list is worth trying, their sparkling is an absolute stand-out, thanks in large part to Rachael. She’s been dubbed ‘the sparkling whisperer’ of WA, with any wineries experiencing problems with their sparkling vintage getting her in to diagnose. They use the traditional French method – method traditionelle – to produce this show-stopping wine, so you know it’s good. Hot tip: take a picnic, buy a bottle after your tasting and enjoy on the lawn.
La Fattoria
Distance from Perth: 35 mins
Nab a table in the outdoor garden among the vines. (Image: Experience Perth Hills Kalamunda)
La Fattoria – or La Fat as the locals call it – is a family-run cellar door and restaurant that celebrates all things Italian. Their wines – which happen to be made by their neighbours over at Myattsfield – are a true representation of Italy. They produce standalone wines for each variety, resisting the temptation to blend with mainstream grapes, as they believe this provides customers with the chance to experience Italian wine in its purest form. Exprect varietals like barbera, nero d’avola, nebbiolo and fiano – as well as grappa and limoncello. And make sure you book a post-tasting lunch – their Nonna’s Ta
ble is a feed-me menu of Sicilian-inspired dishes driven by home-grown seasonal produce.
The Packing Shed @ Lawnbrook
Distance from Perth: 35 mins
Enjoy tastings of high-quality spirits. (Image: Tourism Australia)
The Packing Shed @ Lawnbrook is a multifaceted place, with a distillery, winery, cellar door, and restaurant. The distillery creates incredible gin, as well as limoncello and coffee liquor, while the winery produces the likes of chardonnay, shiraz, rose and vermentino. Decide on your favourite and take a bottle over to their restaurant to enjoy alongside their lunch menu, which is farmhouse fare with a modern twist.
Discover the best wineries in Margaret River.
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