The Wine Lover's Guide to Perth

Top 5 Wine Tours

1. d'Vine Wine Tours
Run by energetic young couple Ewen Lawrie and Breana Agnello, this Swan Valley tour is a little cooler than most, and is perfect for those who want to focus more on wine education and less on getting pissed. dvinetours.com.au.

2. Bickley Valley Horse Tours
What better way to see the Perth Hills' Bickley Valley than on horseback? The Cellar Door Tour is a three-hour jaunt to some of the region's top wineries. Wines purchased can be collected back at base. bickleyvalleyhorsetours.com.

3. Swan Valley Wagon Trails
If you're more comfortable being pulled by a horse than riding on one, this tour is for you. An afternoon in a Clydesdale-drawn, weatherproof wagon includes stops at local wineries, as well as olive oil, honey, and ice-cream producers. swanvalleywa.com.

4. Burgundy Wine Tours
Only 20 minutes from Perth's CBD, the lush Chittering Valley Wine Trail offers a more off-the-beaten-track, intimate experience where you'll get to speak to the winemakers/owners in small groups. burgundywinetours.com.au.

5. Taste Bud Tours
Unleash the wino and foodie in you by participating in a Speed Grazing tour of wineries, breweries, coffee houses, chocolate makers and a lavender farm, all in the Swan Valley. tastebudtours.com.au.

Lalla Rookh. Photography by James Schokman.

Perth's 10 Best Wine Bars

Andaluz Bar and Tapas, CBD
What do you get when Spain collides with Australia? A list of mostly Spanish wines, plus tapas with a contemporary twist in a sleek, historic setting.
Best for Wooing a corporate client.

Bad Apples Bar, Ardross
Wine-tasting machines allow you to swap your credit card for a tasting card and go nuts. Worry about the bill later.
Best for The indecisive among us.

Duendé, Leederville
It's small plates of authentic Spanish fare and a mostly Iberian wine list at Perth's original tapas bar.
Best for Kickstarting the night.

Juanita's, Subiaco
A tiny, unpretentious, tucked-away gem showcasing local artwork, seasonal produce, and constantly rotating, unusual wines scribbled on a chalkboard.
Best for Impressing a first date.

Lalla Rookh Wine Store, CBD
Weird and wonderful small batch, mostly 'natural' wines, down-to-earth staff, and Italian comfort food.
Best for After-work drinks.

Must Winebar, Highgate
Hard-to-find wines from around the world. Buy a bottle to take home or have it delivered to your door.
Best for Date night.

The Precinct, East Victoria Park
A small but perfectly formed list comprises wines from small-scale, über-cool producers. Excellent by-the-glass options.
Best for Weeknight tipple.

Print Hall Bar, CBD
One of the best wines lists in all of Australia, from ancient icons to the hottest new producers. Ask for recommendations and get adventurous.
Best for Impressing a visitor.

Steves Fine Wine and Food, Nedlands
A mammoth cellar stocked with gems, wine-friendly European bistro food, tasting machines, and a plethora of wine events.
Best for Unleashing your inner wine geek.

The Wine Store + Kitchen, East Fremantle
This cosy-yet-classy local watering hole serves up mostly artisan wines with shared plates of Argentine-inspired goodness.
Best for Chillaxing with friends.

Upper Reach Winery.

A perfect day in the Swan Valley

We are super lucky to have one of Australia's oldest wine regions on our city's doorstep. In under 30 minutes, even the slickest of city-dwellers can dirty their hands amongst 180-year-old vines. Here are our tips for a top day out in the Swan Valley.

Who doesn't love wine for breakfast? Start your day at Pinelli Winery sipping its newly released vermentino. From there, head to Sandalford for a behind-the-scenes tour, or, if you feel like playing Winemaker for a Day, participate in one of its Saturday workshops and blend your own wine. You'll be getting peckish by this point, so swing by Jane Brook Estate and nibble on one of the colourful seasonal platters, or if it's the first Sunday of the month, indulge in an All Fired Up Feast of slow cooked meats, soups and salads. Alternatively, lunch at Sittella Winery is a more upscale affair, with stunning views of the vineyards and food to match. Pair its sparkling Blanc de Blancs with, well, everything. Next stop is Talijancich, a historic family-run winery that, true to the valley's roots, makes some of the best fortified wines and liqueurs around. For a very personal experience, swing by Entopia Wines for a walk in the vineyards with the winemakers, or participate in a Wine 101 class at Upper Reach Winery. Nearby is Faber, the well-reputed winery whose verdelho, the flagship white grape of the region, is not to miss. Finally, on your way home, stop for a tasting at Mandoon Estate, the most awarded winery in WA, and the perfect end to a wine-filled day in the Valley.

A glass of wine with…

Dan Wegener, beverage director and head sommelier at Print Hall

What is the most expensive bottle
on Print Hall's wine list?
1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, at $19,500 a bottle. It's also the most expensive piece of real estate on the planet!
What is your favourite WA wine?
This very second, I love Woodlands Unoaked Cabernet Franc. It's a real masterpiece.