Swan Valley food and wine

When it comes to indulging your passion for food and wine, few places do it better than the Swan Valley - Perth's Valley of Taste. Nowhere in the world will you find so many food and wine outlets located so close to a major city.

The Swan Valley is Western Australia's oldest wine-growing region and many of its vineyards are still owned by descendants of the European emigrees    who settled in the area in the 1920's and after World War Two.

Here you'll find wine-tasting venues nestled among rolling fields of vineyards, cafes perched alongside pristine natural bush and a simple divine selection of top quality restaurants.

Diversity lies in the heart of the region's charm, and while international players such as Sandalford and Houghton - home to Australia's most famous white burgundy - have established large, impressive tasting facilities, you can drop into many smaller wineries for a chat with the owners and a bottle of something unique to the valley.

Classic varieties grown here include, chenin blanc, verdelho, shiraz and chardonnay - all of which thrive in the region's hot, dry climate. The region is also well-known for its fortified wines and offers one of Australia's biggest range of luscious "stickies".

For lovers of fine food and good company, the Swan Valley has it all - from casual cafes made for lazy lunches to chic restaurants on the edge of modern culinary style. Many specialise in local produce including organic olive oils and feature seasonal dishes to tantalise the tastebuds.

Discover it all on the 32 kilometre Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail which winds its way past 80 wineries, restaurants and breweries and over 50 fresh produce stalls. All you need do is look out for the distinctive burgundy and olive drive-trail signs that have been erected along the way. Alternatively collect a drive trail map from the Swan Valley and Eastern Region Visitor Centre.