Day in the Swan Valley

The Governor was in the Swan Valley on Thursday 24th September 2020 to visit with local businesses and sample all that this famous wine region has to offer.

Arriving at the Swan Valley Visitors Centre, the Governor was greeted by Scott Fleming – Manager Swan Valley Visitor Centre, Mayor Kevin Bailey – City of Swan and Celia Miller – Deputy President Swan Guildford Historical Society where their tour of the beautiful Swan Valley in the sunny September weather began.

ITINERARY

SWAN VALLEY VISITORS CENTRE

The award-winning Swan Valley Visitor Centre  was been voted the best Visitor Centre in the state at the 2019 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards and they scooped gold as the best Visitor Centre in Australia at the prestigious QANTAS Australian Tourism Awards.

Home to the Cradle of the Colony Exhibition.  This exhibition is a partnership between the City of Swan and the Swan Guildford Historical Society, supported by Lotterywest.

This exhibition is designed to give an overview of the history of Guildford and the Swan Valley from Capt James Stirling’s expedition up the Swan River in 1827 until the present day.

FUNK CIDER / MICHAELS BROS JUICE

Young, passionate brothers originally from a farm in Toodyay who believe a healthy lifestyle begins with the food and drinks we consume. Their farming background has armed customers with knowledge, hands-on experience and industry insights to provide quality products. Forging strong relationships with Western Australia’s most reputable growers allows them to source the most nutritionally dense fruit and vegetables available. This is how they produce the tastiest cold-pressed juice in Western Australia. They are passionate about combining the best of both worlds to bring only the best products to customers, and doing business ethically.

Established in 2016 by the Michael Brothers, Funk Cider has flourished into a fun and health conscious cidery located in the beautiful Swan Valley.  They take a new age and quirky approach to cider making, with some of our regular lineups including pineapple, passionfruit, ginger, oak aged ciders and many more delicious creations.

​All of their products are unpasteurised and free from preservatives and concentrates. With 16 rotating taps of cider, beer, wine, and non alcoholic drinks crafted on site.

MAALINUP ABORIGINAL GALLERY

Dale Tilbrook and her brother Lyall Tilbrook own Maali Mia Pty Ltd which operates the Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery.  Dale’s daughter Venetia also works in the business. The family are descendants of the Wardandi Bibbulmun people from the Busselton, Margaret River, Augusta area.

Maalinup is the Place of the Black Swan, which acknowledges their location in the picturesque Swan Valley, Perth, Western Australia.

Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery is unique to Perth as an Aboriginal owned and operated enterprise offering Aboriginal cultural activities, talks, performances and bush tucker, as well as a gallery full of local Aboriginal art, exquisitely different hand painted gifts and high quality Australian made souvenirs.

OLD YOUNGS DISTILLERY

Old Young’s won Australian Champion Distiller 2017 and Champion Vodka 2016 and 2017 at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards, while their pavlova vodka took out Best International Vodka at the American Distilling Institute Craft Spirits Awards.

True to their name, Old Young’s brings tradition together with new techniques and a flair for the unusual (think cold-drip coffee, the pavlova-flavoured vodka and a gin called Old BAG.) These hand-crafted high quality spirits are produced using some of the world’s best raw materials (barley malt, wheat, spring water, grapes and fruit).

MANN WINES

Every year, winery founder of Mann Wines, Dorham Mann and daughter Anthea release just two sparkling wines, both created the traditional French way, hand-riddled and then aged in the bottle for two years before release.  Both are elegant and delicious – a dry, rosé-style made from cabernet sauvignon and a dry white made from cygne blanc.

If you’ve never heard of cygne blanc, it’s hardly surprising. Dorham developed the variety right here in the valley and, more than likely, will be the one pouring your tastings and regaling you with tales when you visit the cellar door. No newcomer to the industry, Dorham’s father Jack made wine for 51 years at Houghton Winery and Dorham himself was head honcho at Sandalford for many years.

The new vintages are released at the beginning of August each year, quantities are small and once all the wine’s sold, Dorham and Anthea close their doors until the following year.

LAMONTS

The Lamont family is one of the state’s premier wine and gourmet food dynasties, which began at this Swan Valley vineyard in the late 70’s and then expanded to a variety of acclaimed restaurants and cafes around Perth.

Back at the winery where it all started, Fiona Lamont and her team have revamped the cellar door, re-designed the menu and are offering what the Lamonts have always been famous for – relaxed, friendly dining with a minimum of pretension.

Enjoy a complimentary tasting of Lamont wines at the cellar door before experiencing a lunch of simple, wine-friendly fare. From freshly baked baguettes with a variety of butters to duck liver parfait, triple cream brie drizzled with honey and a range of more substantial fare, there’s something for all tastes and budgets.

THE HOUSE OF HONEY

The House of Honey showcases all things honey and bee related from pollen, royal jelly, handmade beeswax candles to beauty products and giftware.  There is a live bee display where staff will explain all about the world of bees. Don’t forget to join their honey club where you can earn free honey when you visit.

Some of the honeys are laboratory tested for their ability to heal. Jarrah, Blackbutt and Red gum are some examples of tested honeys for their antimicrobial activity which is symbolized by the letters TA (Total Activity).

The beehives are moved at night to different locations depending upon availability of nectar- mostly pristine native bushland populated by many different Eucalyptus species. Each of these floral species have their own unique flavour- all of which are available for tasting. As seasons vary from year to year, so do the flavours and availability of honeys.

WHISTLER’S CHOCOLATE FACTORY

For over forty years Whistler’s Chocolate Company has been making traditional chocolates and confectionery from recipes passed down from generation to generation. Whistler’s is now Western Australia’s oldest chocolate company and has become an iconic brand representing quality and good old fashioned traditions.

Even though the Royal Show is not running this year, Whistlers has still prepared their show bags which are usually sold at the show to be purchased in store or online with delivery available.

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