The Perth Hills Wine Region is gradually becoming known as an alternative destination to sample fine wines only half an hour from the city, and the beautiful Bickley Valley, behind Kalamunda, has a cluster of boutique wineries which are well worth a visit.

An easy day’s outing from Perth, the Bickley Valley Wine Trail comprises six award-winning vineyards all within a few kilometres of each other.      

These are much smaller operations than down south or in the Swan Valley, and in most cases, you will meet and chat with the owner at cellar door, and taste wines from very small vineyards which have been hand-nurtured. 

Cellar doors are all open at the weekend, and most will open during the week if you call beforehand.    Look for the attractive barrel signs that mark the entrance to each winery.

Ashley Estate specialises in pinot noir only, and here you have an unusual opportunity to experience a vertical tasting of four vintages from 1999 to 2002 inclusive, and talk to the owners, who are dedicated and committed ‘pinotphiles’.        

Brookside offers a zesty, flavoursome bubbly, which has twice won best sparkling wine for the region.     As well as a chardonnay, you can also try the fruit-driven ‘Cobber’s Leap’, the 2001 cabernet sauvignon named after their smiling vineyard dog.   A charming bed and breakfast accommodation is attached to their heritage-listed home. 

Cosham Wines, located at the south end of the Bickley Valley,  also have a methode champenoise (the region is gaining a reputation for quality sparkling wines).    The premium range, which also includes a chardonnay, cabernet merlot and pinot noir, are all made with hand-picked grapes from hand-tended vines in their picturesque vineyard. 

Hainault Vineyard, established in 1978, and at five hectares, the biggest in the region, is planted to merlot, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, traminer, chardonnay , semillon and shiraz, providing a broad range of fine wines.

Piesse Brook Wines was the first vineyard established in the area in 1974 on the orchard which has been in the family since 1947.     It produces up to 1200 cases of wine a year, specialising in reds but also offering a fresh young chardonnay.        

And last, but not least, making up the six vineyards of the Bickley Valley Wine Trail is the Walsh Family Winery, established in 1995, offering a top shiraz and a small amount of gewurztraminer.    On sale here also is a range of beautiful woodcraft, home-grown honey and other local products. 

Motoring  is a delight in the Perth Hills, and sampling the vintner’s wares on the Bickley Valley Wine Trail is a very pleasant outing.     And there is some great bed and breakfast accommodation if you want to make a weekend of it.

Brookside Vineyard B & B        

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This page last updated 19-Dec-2005