The Auswine Forum

I'm going to be spending a couple of days in Perth next year before going on an organised tour of the Margaret River region, so wondering where to go winery visiting on a day trip from Perth. Will probably go one day in one direction and the next day in another. Whats a good route and where do forumites recommend we stop?

Also wondering if anyone rents MG sports cars in Perth as we will need wheels to get us to our vinous destinations and as we have visited every vineyard region in NZ (except Waiheke Island) in our MG I want to extend the experience to Aus. Web site searches on rental car co's have not been helpful.

Cheers,
Sue

Sue:

Check out this site for WA wine regions.

Look at the bottom of this page for your MG.

We were in Perth last December and did The Swan Valley by boat and van. Let someone else do the hard work getting you there because its not outstanding wine country, but worth a day.

The Margaret River can be reached that way as well, although if I'd had my choice I would have given the boat a miss and taken a couple of days in the Margaret River region.

Mike

Mike,
Thanks for the tip on the rental car co. Didn't find that one when I searched.
Only problem with doing the Swan by boat is not being able to cruise around in the car - still it is something to consider.
Cheers,
Sue

Sue, if you have time during the organised tour of MR and want to catch up with a local, give me a hoy.

cheers, brad

Sue,

Apart from a few wineries that either have vineyards ourside the Swan or make fortifieds there is very little of interest in the Valley. Have a read of TORB's tour diary for confirmation.

The Perth Hills is a much better prospect with a pile of small to micro producers turning out good to excellent stuff, but nothing you could call earth shattering. And the Perth Hills region offers a much better drive with all wineries located within the hills from the Chittering Valley in the north to Jarrahdale in the south and Clackline at the eastern boundary.

Hi Sue,
Never mind the wine, Sorrento Car Hire will rent you an MG: http://www.sportscarhire.com.au/. It a way from the airport, but they can drop off/pick up the car from a Perth hotel and possibly the airport. Give them a call. They're in our book of course

In one day from Perth you'll have to visit the Swan Valley. For the other day perhaps the Perth Hills, certainly Peel Estate less than an hour south. But keep an evening free and I'm sure there will be a few folks up for an offline.
Cheers, Duncan

brad wrote:Sue, if you have time during the organised tour of MR and want to catch up with a local, give me a hoy.
cheers, brad

Brad - can do when I know what's happening. Haven't got the full itinerary yet. All I know is that we are staying at the Margaret River Resort for the time we are there. Whereabouts in the MR are you?

davo wrote:Apart from a few wineries that either have vineyards outside the Swan or make fortifieds there is very little of interest in the Valley. Have a read of TORB's tour diary for confirmation.

The Perth Hills is a much better prospect with a pile of small to micro producers turning out good to excellent stuff, but nothing you could call earth shattering. And the Perth Hills region offers a much better drive with all wineries located within the hills from the Chittering Valley in the north to Jarrahdale in the south and Clackline at the eastern boundary.

Never having been to WA before would like to visit the Swan one day and the Hills the other - may as well if I'm in the vicinity - just to say 'been there, done that' if nothing else. TORB's report is understandably biased towards the coloured stuff. I'm not a RB and I love my whites along with the reds. However, I hear a visit to Pearson Family Vineyard is a must!

duncan wrote:Never mind the wine, Sorrento Car Hire will rent you an MG: http://www.sportscarhire.com.au/. It a way from the airport, but they can drop off/pick up the car from a Perth hotel and possibly the airport. Give them a call. They're in our book of course

Eeeek - their rates are $20 more a day!!! These folks charge a lot for these aging cars. Wonder if anyone rents the new model MGTF that we drive at home.

duncan wrote:In one day from Perth you'll have to visit the Swan Valley. For the other day perhaps the Perth Hills, certainly Peel Estate less than an hour south. But keep an evening free and I'm sure there will be a few folks up for an offline.
Cheers, Duncan

Would like to visit both areas, as I said to Davo. Could possibly think about an offline. 'Spose I have to cart some NZ wines over then to show you guys some real 'cool climate' reds. Perhaps some decent Syrah, not to mention Pinot!

Cheers,
Sue

SueNZ wrote:Brad - can do when I know what's happening. Haven't got the full itinerary yet. All I know is that we are staying at the Margaret River Resort for the time we are there. Whereabouts in the MR are you?

Long way off I know, but if I'm around - be good to catch up.

I'm based at Prevelly, coastal town 10km out of MR township - although no cellar door if that's what you meant. Marg River town is not right on the coast as most assume.

MR Resort is both accommodation and pub (old english style) close to the town centre.

cheers, brad

Sue,

No probs, there are some excellent whites out of the Swan which of course TORB never tried. Two of the best using SV grown fruit would be the chardy from Westfield and the Verdelho from Tallijancich. Houghton and Sandalford both turn out very nice whites as well but their fruit is all from elsewhere.

As to cool climate reds, well you will just have to take a slight detour to Dalyup, about 35km west of Esperance (look it up on your atlas). The most remote vineyard and winery in WA. Makes shiraz that is more Rhone than the Rhone and probably the greenest cabernet on the big island.

An offline would be good.

SueNZ wrote:However, I hear a visit to Pearson Family Vineyard is a must!
Cheers,
Sue

Yes, I hear rumblings around the traps that these guys are the next big thing......