Swan District

The Swan District wine region spans the Swan River, and the City of Swan is only 30 minutes from central Perth.

The area was first explored in 1827 by Captain James Stirling, who later became a Governor of the Swan River Colony. The first settlement was established in three sections; at Fremantle to serve as a port, Perth itself as the political centre, and Guildford at the southern end of the Swan Valley region.

The Swan District wine region can claim to have the not only the oldest vineyard in West Australia but one older than any in either Victoria or South Australia. Only those short lived vineyards of Sydney Cove, and of course in the Hunter Valley of NSW, can claim precedence. These first vines were planted at Olive Farm in 1829 by Thomas Waters, who also dug out a cellar that still exists today.

For most of West Australia’s history the Swan District was its main wine region and Houghton’s winery located here is the states largest. Much of the Swan District’s produce in these years was fortified wines but this has gradually changed as demand and tastes in wines have changed.

The Swan District wine region lies along the Swan River between Guildford and Bells Rapids and is a flat alluvial plain bordered by the Darling Range. Like much of this corner of West Australia, it has dry, hot summers and cool, wet winters. Humidity is low and the summer heat is usually relieved by the famous ‘Fremantle Doctor’, a regular south-westerly sea breeze.

Verdelho, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon all do well in the kind conditions of the Swan District. And many winemakers continue the tradition of making fortifieds. Houghton Wines, established in 1836, today has some 50 hectares planted with Verdelho, Chardonnay, Semillon, and Chenin Blanc among others. The historic cellars and homestead can be seen today in beautiful parkland surroundings.

Jack Mann is famous as the creator of Houghton White Burgundy in 1937, having succeeded his father as chief winemaker. In the 1930s, fortified and heavy red table wines were the main product of Houghton Wines. But Jack, as early as the 1930s, was willing to promote white table wine and this was the origin of the famous Houghton White Burgundy.

Not as old perhaps but well worth a look is the beautifully pastoral Jane Brook cellar, open every day for tasting and sales. A range of gourmet and vineyard platters are served during winter in the heated cellar, or in warmer months in the garden courtyards overlooking Jane Brook.

The only certified organic winery in the Swan District, or indeed in Western Australia, is the LedaSwan Organic Winery, established in 1998. LedaSwan produces organic table wines and preservative-free dessert wines without the use of irrigation, herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilisers, and has been certified with Australian Certified Organics as an A grade Producer since 2006. LedaSwan is owned and operated by Duncan and Deb Harris and is just 28 kms from Perth on property that first had grapes grown on it by settlers from Dalmatian in the 1920s. The name LedaSwan comes from the story of the origin of Helen of Troy, whose mother Leda turned herself into a swan in an attempt to avoid the attentions of Zeus. LedaSwan also welcomes all WWOOFERS (willing workers on organic farms), with a small caravan for two, and plenty of opportunity to work and learn new skills.

Events in the Swan District include the 'Spring in the Valley' weekend in October and the Midsummer Festival in February. Also, ‘Taste of the Valley’ is a month long celebration in April. The Seafood and Shiraz Weekend occurs in July, a clever alliance between the Swan Valley and Regional Winemakers Association (SVRWA) and the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) to demonstrate the compatibility of red wine and seafood.

One of the Swan Districts most historic sites is All Saints Church, built on the spot of Stirling's 1827 camp when exploring the area, and is the oldest remaining church in Perth. All Saints Church was built by Richard Edwards between 1838 and 1840 and overlooks the Swan River. The cemetery includes the graves of many people significant in the early years of the colony.

The town of Guildford is also very historic and a well outlined walk allows the visitor to easily see some of its interesting landmarks. These include the Guildford Hotel, the extravagant additions symbolising the wealth that once flowed from the gold towns of Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie, and St Matthew's Church, built with its bricks alternatively laid lengthwise and inwards to reinforce the structure after its predecessor was blown down in a cyclone.

Chenin Blanc is the predominant variety of the Swan District but Verdelho is a traditional variety with a longer history here than elsewhere. But outstanding is the Houghton White Burgundy, often sold overseas under other names, it is the product three white varieties, and ages beautifully.