The Swan Valley is the perfect winter escape just 25 minutes from Perth, with cosy cellar doors, hands-on experiences and delicious food waiting to be discovered. From blending your own wine and tasting bush tucker to exploring artisan markets and sweet treat factories, there’s plenty to enjoy when the weather cools down. If you're looking for inspiration, here are 10 unique things to do in the Swan Valley in winter.
1. Pair wine with cheese
Winter calls for the perfect pairing - wine and cheese. Several Swan Valley wineries offer tasting experiences where you can enjoy local wines alongside carefully matched cheeses. At Sittella, you can indulge in a seasonal wine and cheese flight or sparkling tasting accompanied by a cheese paddle. Nikola Estate offers premium wine flights paired with gourmet cheese platters curated by their chef, while Talijancich Wines invites guests to enhance their tasting with a cheeseboard while sampling both table and fortified wines. It’s a delicious way to slow down and savour the flavours of the Valley on a cool winter’s day.
2. Learn how to blend wines
Ever thought of perfecting your own drop? In the Swan Valley you can try your hand at blending your own wine through hands-on masterclasses at local wineries. At Sandalford Wines, the experience begins with a behind-the-scenes look at the vineyard and winemaking process before you put your palate to the test creating your own blend alongside cellar door staff. Over at Mandoon Estate, the interactive Perfect Blend experience explores the characteristics of different red wine varieties before you craft a personalised blend and label to take home. It's a fun and immersive way to step into the shoes of a winemaker for the day.
3. Bee-come a master of beekeeping
See what all the buzz is about in the Swan Valley on a bee farm tour at The House of Honey. The tour discusses the history of beekeeping and how to set up a beehive in your backyard. Pop on a beekeeper outfit to observe the difference in hives – sentinel, top bar, and traditional working Langstroth – up close to understand how life's sweeteners can vary. From hives to pots, see how honey becomes prepared and labelled by visiting the production area. The sugar-inducing morning includes light pastries, tea, coffee, orange juice or sparkling honey mead. Yum!
4. Test your scavenger skills
Choose from two family fun trails, The Great Valley Rally and Amazing Valley Chase, our thrilling and free scavenger hunts where you and your fellow explorers can follow cryptic clues along a specific route in the Valley. Designed for kids aged 5 and up, these trails are a great way to get the whole family out of the house and exploring the best parts of the Swan Valley in less than a day. Follow along at your own pace and allow for lunch and snack stops along the way.
5. Join a wine appreciation class
Learn to talk (and drink!) like a sommelier by joining a Wine Appreciation class at Upper Reach Winery. Designed for beginners and wine lovers alike, this hands-on experience teaches you how to swirl, sniff and sip like a pro while exploring the key elements that shape wine flavours. Using a tasting plate of fruits, herbs, spices and other ingredients, you'll learn how to identify aromas, understand acidity, tannins and sweetness, and gain confidence describing what's in your glass. It’s a fun and interactive way to expand your wine knowledge in a relaxed Swan Valley setting.
6. Watch artisan nougat being made
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to Mondo Nougat, where traditional Italian-style nougat is handcrafted using premium Australian ingredients. From the factory viewing window you can watch the production team at work and discover the time-honoured techniques behind this much-loved treat. After sampling a piece of freshly made nougat, indulge in homemade gelati, cakes or a rich hot chocolate. While you're there, pop next door to Morish Nuts to taste their famous flavoured nuts and gourmet snacks - a perfect pairing for a delicious stop in the Valley.
7. Discover Aboriginal culture through bush tucker
Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture with a Bush Tucker talk and tasting led by Dale Tilbrook. These Aboriginal-led experiences explore local history, storytelling and traditional knowledge in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Learn about native ingredients such as lemon myrtle, wattleseed and bush tomato while discovering how plants have been used for food and medicine for thousands of years. The experience includes bush tucker snacks and insights into seasonal knowledge and cultural connections to Country.
8. Browse the stalls at Swan Settlers Market
Spend a cosy winter morning wandering through Swan Settlers Market, a vibrant weekend hub in the heart of the Swan Valley. Under one historic roof you'll find artisan stalls, handmade goods, artwork, fresh produce and unique gifts. Food lovers can sample global eats, sweet treats from Swan Valley Fudge and gourmet specialties, while a gin distillery and local cellar door add to the experience. With live music, family-friendly activities and plenty to taste along the way, it’s the perfect spot to explore at your own pace.
9. Craft your own gin at Old Young's Distillery
For something a little different, join a gin masterclass at Old Young's Distillery. Guided by the distillery's gin experts, you'll learn about the history of gin, the distillation process and the botanicals that shape each flavour. Enjoy tastings along the way before creating your own personalised blend to take home in a 200ml bottle. The relaxed, story-filled session is part tasting, part hands-on workshop and plenty of fun.
10. Go behind the scenes at a historic winery
Step behind the cellar door and discover how wine is made with a Tour & Taste experience at Olive Farm Wines, Western Australia’s oldest winery. This guided walking tour takes visitors through the vineyard and production areas of the four-generation family winery, offering insight into the journey from vine to bottle. The experience finishes with a tasting at the cellar door, including their flagship fortified wine, Stari — a drop crafted with generations of winemaking knowledge.
