Sampling Delicious Western Australian Wine in the Scenic Swan River Valley

One of the highlights of our visit to Perth was the day we took a wine tour in the Swan River Valley, northeast of the city. The tour company we used, Swan Valley Tours, offered the best wine tour of any we’ve ever taken. 

We boarded the low, wide boat at Elizabeth Quay. This boat was specially designed with a low profile for this cruise line so it could pass under the bridges along the way.

For the next two hours, the captain provided interesting commentary while cheerful, friendly young ladies poured wine and served food. We’d be cheerful too if we had this job!

These were the wines we tasted on the boat, accompanied by olives and crackers.

We received a one-ounce taste of each. Then they served a gourmet lunch with a full glass (5 oz.) of our choice. We loved them all, but we chose the Sauvignon Blanc to go with lunch.

The captain explained that some areas along the river were being reclaimed as wetlands to reverse the impact that development had caused on local animals’ natural habitat. 

After our two-hour cruise, we left the boat and joined a coach that would take us to two wineries, a chocolate shop, and a brewery during the afternoon. The tour company offered a tour that went up and down the river, one that was entirely by coach, and ours, which was a hybrid: boat in the morning, coach in the afternoon. We feel we made the right choice.

Both the Lancaster and the Garbin Wines were delicious. We bought three bottles and enjoyed them in the evenings in Perth and Adelaide. Fun fact: you can carry bottles of wine in your carry-on luggage in Australia.

We were allowed to select only one truffle to taste. It was a tough choice!

Sooo much chocolate! 

We tasted beer accompanied by chips (French fries) at the Slumdog Brewing Company.

It was a wonderful day – not just because of all the delicious food and wines we enjoyed, but also because we got to see some beautiful country outside of Perth.