The Wineries

When planning our tours we visited most of the valley’s wineries and carefully chose a selection that we deemed to offer an authentic Swan Valley experience. Whether it is amazing wine, great food, professional service, a beautiful view or a combination of it all, these are some of the places you can expect to visit on a Fat Decanter Tour.

Sandalford

Founded in 1840, Sandalford is one of Western Australia’s oldest and largest privately owned wineries. Located on the banks of the Swan River Sandalford’s award-winning wines reflect contemporary wine making and include a Premium Collection and the popular Element Range. Recent modernisation increased Sandalford’s capacity to almost one million litres in French and American Oak barrels and 600 square metres of underground storage. Sandalford Wines website

Jane Brook Estate

David and Beverley Atkinson's philosophy of grape-growing and winemaking is based on a long term uncompromising approach to producing only premium quality wine ... maximising the natural varietal fruit flavours from carefully selected quality wine grapes. They believe in the integration of modern technology with the traditional style of winemaking. The history of Jane Brook started in 1829 when the brook was discovered by John Septimus Roe, the first Surveyor General of the fledgling Swan River Colony. In honour of Mrs Jane Currie, wife of the first harbour master of Fremantle, Captain James Stirling called it "Jane Brook". Table grapes were first planted in 1913 and this pursuit continued until 1954 when the Mateljan family vintaged 540 litres of red table wine under the name of Vignacourt Wines. In 1972 David and Beverley Atkinson purchased the property and their dream was to convert the production to quality varietal wines. The evolution of the Jane Brook style and philosophy has been achieved through commitment to the pursuit of excellence, this tradition is being carried forward by the second generation, Elizabeth Shakespeare (nee Atkinson), General Manager. Jane Brook Estate Wines website

Olive Farm

Olive Farm is the oldest winery in Western Australia, established back in 1829 by an English botanist, named Thomas Waters. Waters brought with him a number of plants, including grapevine cuttings and olive trees and was granted a large portion of land in South Guildford. After clearing the land he began to plant the olive trees, hence the name Olive Farm. Today using their new modern winery and innovative wine making methods Olive Farm Wines strives to produce a diverse range of wine styles to cater for a wide variety of palettes. Olive Farm Wines website

Upper Reach

Upper Reach is a family owned and operated boutique winery, on the banks of Perth's Swan River. All our fruit is grown at our Baskerville property and the wine made in our state of the art winery. Our aim at Upper Reach is to produce wine of the highest quality from estate grown fruit, each wine reflecting both the vineyard and the particular vintage. Upper Reach is one of the leading Swan Valley wine producers, with an extensive list of wine show awards. Our success is a result of Derek's (the owner/ winemaker) hands-on involvement, both in the vineyard and in the winery. We believe that wine is one of life's essentials along with good food, family and friends. Upper Reach Winery Website

John Koscovich

John Kosovich Wines was established in 1922 and operated as Westfield Wines until 2003 when the decision was made to change the name to honour John Kosovich’s 50th vintage. It is the 3rd oldest winery operating in the Swan Valley with a mission to be perceived and remain as a boutique, family owned and run winery which consistently produces a small quantity of exceptional, full flavoured elegant wines which reflect the unique qualities of the Swan Valley and Pemberton regions of Western Australia. John Koscovich Wines website

Talijancich

With over 65 years of wine making tradition Talijancich has developed a philosophy based on an uncompromising approach to create wines of the highest standards from varieties that truly reflect the Swan Valley. Talijancich is arguably producing the countries best fortified wines along with spectacular examples of Verdelho, Semillon and Chenin Blanc.

Chesters of Heafod Glen

A beautiful, contemporary restaurant and the home of Heafod Glen Wines make Chesters a great place for lunch. Combining international cuisine with fresh, local produce you can always be sure to find something on the menu. The cellar door showcases the Heafod Glen range of wines produced entirely on the property using estate grown fruit. Chesters Restaurant website

Riverbank Estate

RiverBank Estate enjoys some of the most magnificent views to be found at any Swan Valley Restaurant, with a fine menu to match. Offering Estate produced premium wines and a menu based on fresh regional produce it is the perfect place to sit back and take in the glorious Swan Valley. Riverbank Estate website

Mann

A small vineyard and sparkling wine cellar scenically located on a high bank of the Swan River. Mann produces two styles of sparkling wine made in the traditional French manner of Methode Champenoise. Cygne Blanc is a patented White Cabernet variety, bred and developed on the Swan Valley property. The wine is unique in character, length of flavour and finesse and is very limited in supply.

Edgecombe Brothers

The 50 acre Swan Valley property was purchased by Don and Frank Edgecombe in 1925. Over the years they slowly built up the property and focused mainly on table grapes for the export market during the 1930s and 40s. The focus shifted to both table and wine grapes for the local market by the mid sixties and continues today. The vineyard and cellar door is still run by the Edgecombe family. Edgecombe Brothers website