Winery Tour | Swan Valley
Top Gun Tours will take you to the following wineries:
Sandalford Wines
Founded in 1840, Sandalford is one of Western Australia’s oldest and largest privately owned wineries. Located at the original property on the banks of the Swan River, Sandalford Estate has been recognised with three major category wins at the West Australian Tourism Awards.
Since the early 1990`s Sandalford Wines has maintained the tradition and mystique behind the winemaking process. Sandalford uses the latest equipment for processing fruit during vintage, with small batch processing of all fruit using only top quality French and American small Oak barrels.
At Sandalford you can experience a unique blend of vineyard views, fresh regional produce, innovative Australian cuisine, great wines and unmatched service at the restaurant.
Sandalford Wines now essentially produce three ranges of wine, the entry point Element range, the ever classic premium Sandalford range and the super premium Prendiville Reserve. All wines are made to exacting standards and with attention to detail.
Swanbrook
At Swanbrook, exclusively sourced Western Australian fruits are produced on location in the Swan Valley to create a range of wines designed to suit the varying demands of customers both nationally and internationally.
The Swanbrook wine ranges are designed to include the preferences of a wide range of wine drinkers, ranging from the average day-to-day wine lover, to the more demanding wine connoisseur.
The Swanbrook winery is home to the affordable and value packed Origins range, as well as a varied selection of other wine ranges. All their wines are produced and bottled at comprehensive onsite winery facilities, and with a unique cellar door experience, provide the perfect environment for wine tasting, with access to a merchandise shop, and a unique first in the Swan Valley, a boutique Nougat facility.
Valley View Restaurant
Capturing stunning views across the Valley and up into the Darling Scarp, the Valley View Restaurant invites visitors to indulge in modern cuisine made from the best and freshest local produce. Completed in 1997, the restaurant has quickly become one of the most popular dining venues in the Swan Valley.
The alfresco area, complete with canvas awning and a mist cooling system, features cafe style blinds which provide views of the picturesque gardens, creating a shady and peaceful retreat with a relaxed and cosy atmosphere.
A large range of local wines, spirits, cocktails and boutique beers complement the extensive menu. Part owner and award winning chef from the UK, Stephen Connor, has won prestigious awards including UK`s Young Achiever Award, Golden Chef Hat Award at hotel Olympias, and was decorated as a Master Chef by the craft guild of chefs.
Entopia Wines
The name of the winery is Entopia which is a town planning word meaning "achievable good thing" and was created by the Greek planner, Constantinos Doxiadis, to describe his vision for the post war reconstruction of Greece.
When Brian and Heather purchased the property in October 1998, it was a fairly run-down horse property with no vines, several old sheds, lots of tyres, wire fences and weeds. They set about clearing the area, and in 2000, planted approximately 1800 Shiraz vines. In 2001, they planted 500 Chardonnay and 1200 Cabernet Sauvignon, totalling over 3,500 vines that are producing about 10 tonnes of grapes at vintage.
The property is 4 hectares in area and has frontage to the Swan River. The land has been variously used for table grapes, orchard and as a horse property. The "tree" logo depicts the old apricot tree at the turn in the driveway. This tree could be 50 years old and has an interesting corkscrew twist in the trunk, but is still highly productive.
Brian and Heather are now modifying their planting to double the number of Chardonnay vines and to introduce Verdelho vines. These varieties were grafted onto heavily pruned Shiraz vines in late October 2007.
Sittella Winery
Founded in 1998, Sittella is one of Western Australia’s newest, privately owned wineries. Nestled among the vines on a gently winding road near the upper reaches of the Swan River, the Sittella Winery and restaurant is named after a small Australian bird, which abounds in the nearby tree-lined Swan River.
With a tranquil setting in the valley, and vineyard views from the verandah, visitors are invited to enjoy fine food and award winning wines.
Owners Simon and Maaike Berns have the support of an enthusiastic team of professionals to create and produce high quality traditional wine styles, from both their own and contract vineyards throughout the Swan Valley and Margaret River Region.
In 2007, the Sittella Winery won 13 medals for 15 wines entered in the Swan Valley Wine Awards.
Margaret River Chocolate Company
The Margaret River Chocolate Company began with an innovative idea developed by two friends with no experience in chocolate, retailing or tourism. The first factory was opened in Margaret River in 1999, with a Swan Valley factory starting up the next year. Both factories have been making award winning chocolate products ever since.
The Swan Valley factory provides a fascinating insight into the world of chocolate, with free chocolate tastings, interactive displays and viewing windows to watch the chocolate products being made, all in a family friendly atmosphere.
For sale on site is a mouth-watering range of chocolate bars, chocolate coated delights, handmade truffles, novelty chocolates, ice creams, chocolate milk and a variety of chocolate cakes and deserts. At the Margaret River Chocolate Company’s cafe, you can enjoy a delicious selection of cakes, desserts, chocolate fondues, hot and cold drinks and the best hot chocolate in Western Australia.
