I just came back from a most amazing 5 day food and wine tour of the Swan Valley in Australia (near Perth). The Swan Valley is indeed Perth’s “Valley of Taste”. For wine and food lovers, the Swan Valley offers a top notch lifestyle experience within 5 hours hop from Singapore and at a reasonable price.
We departed Singapore at 9:30am and arrived in Perth Airport at 2:40pm after a very comfortable 5 hour flight on SIA's SQ223.
Weather in Perth was great in the last days of Winter. It was bright and sunny, and day time temperature was around 15°C to 20°C. The air was clean and so fresh, I thought it smelled sweet. I think I unconsciously took deeper breaths to enjoy the fresh air :-D (I can imagine the headline: Kiasu Singapore food travel blogger takes deep breaths of free fresh air in Swan Valley :-D )
From the airport we were picked up by a chartered mini bus (from Adams) which took us to Novotel Vines Resort and Country Club. During the 30 minute drive from the airport heading north to Vines Resort we passed right through the Swan Valley. On both sides of the road, there were country homes and vineyards, paddocks, flowing meandering creeks, and rustic looking restaurants. The picturesque fleeting scenery from the van window was whetting our appetites for the exciting food and wine adventures to come.
After checking into the comfortable rooms at Novotel Vines, we
As the name Vines Resort states, the accommodation is set in a vineyard. As it was Winter, the vines were asleep, so we could only see the trunks now. I can imagine how beautiful the courtyard is when the vines are blooming in full glory from around January to February.
There are 2 golf courses at the Vines country club. On the golf course, there were kangaroo mobs (yes, a group of bouncing kangaroos is known as a mob). The kangaroos
We gathered at the Vine's Muscats Bar before setting off for dinner. I tried a local Little Creatures pilsner from Fremantle. I enjoyed my first taste of the bubbly golden beer with a light body, slight fizziness and mildly sweet flavour.
Black Swan Winery & Restaurant 8600 West Swan Road Henley Brook
Our dinner was at the Black Swan Winery and Restaurant which is a 15 minute drive from Vines Resort. The Swan Valley is a compact food and wine region. Everything is within 30 minutes drive from the centre of the Swan Valley (which is itself about 30 minutes from the airport and also 30 minutes from Perth). So, a self drive holiday is completely feasible and easy to arrange (designated driver must not drink, of course).
At Black Swan, we were treated to great wines from the winery and good food from the kitchen. Black Swan wines are produced from vines more than 70 years old and grown in Swan Valley's rich loamy soil. At the boutique winery, harvesting and sorting is done by hand, so only the best fruit is selected.
Black Swan Shiraz 2012 has a sweet and spicy fragrance, full body, dry, fruity flavours and smooth on the palate. (AUD32 a bottle at Black Swan.)
Black Swan's Black Angus Scotch fillet served with slow roasted tomatoes and steamed greens dressed with Shiraz jus.
My perfectly cooked juicy beefy Scotch fillet done medium rare with a nice sear outside. hmmm...!!
First day in the Swan Valley. First taste of the great destination for food and wine lovers. The nearest fine wine region from Singapore. I wonder what took me so long to discover this world class and oldest (over 180 years old) wine region in Western Australia.
Gotta make up for lost time :-D
Follow me as I explore the fascinating Swan Valley.
Day 2 itinerary <- click
Day 3 itinerary <- click
Day 4 itinerary <- click.
Acknowledgement: My thanks to our gracious host Sasha Stone and The City of Swan for the fine hospitality.
Date visited: 27 Aug 2015
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tender beef looks juicy and delicious!
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