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A local’s guide to the best wineries near Perth

Kirsty PetridesBy Kirsty Petrides
Indulge in a WA wine-tasting adventure.

Perth is renowned for its idyllic beaches and parks. But holidaymakers may not know that Western Australia’s capital is home to a number of wineries roughly 30 minutes from the city. So if you don’t have that extra few days up your sleeve to head to the state’s south-west, you can still have a superb wine-tasting experience – without having to say goodbye to phone signal.

Here are eight of the best wineries near Perth.

In short

If you only make it to one winery near Perth, make it La Fattoria. Book their Nonna’s Table food menu to follow your wine tasting, and enjoy the home-cooked Italian in their verdant hillside winery/trattoria.

Plume Estate

pouring durif wine into a glass at Plume Estate
Sip on durif while admiring the Bickley Valley view. (Image: Supplied)

Distance from Perth: 35 mins

You’ll find Plume Estate situated in the picturesque Bickley Valley. It’s a place nestled among the tranquil Perth Hills, where peaks are raised approximately 350 metres in the air. Plume takes advantage of its prime location, treating visitors to sweeping, panoramic views of green valleys and expansive vineyards (hot tip: book a post-tasting lunch to sit and bask in the vista.) Try their durif, a lesser-known red primarily grown in Australia, California, France and Israel. It produces tannic wines with a spicy, plummy flavour.

Address: 91 Glenisla Rd, Bickley WA 6076

H&C Urban Winery

wine barrels inside H&C Urban Winery, Perth
Enjoy barrel-aged wine tastings at H&C Urban Winery.

Distance from Perth: 25 minutes

Perth’s only urban winery, H&C Urban Winery takes up residence in a 1000-square-metre converted warehouse in the heart of Fremantle. They ferment and bottle their own wine (made from WA-grown grapes) on-site at the rear of the venue – while the front is a lively bar and restaurant space where you can do a tasting.

But you aren’t limited to just their wines – you’ll find an extensive list of drops from other regions, with a particular lean to smaller, lesser-known estates. So if you don’t get the chance to get out to other WA wine regions, you can still try them here.

Address: 181 High St, Fremantle WA 6160

Mandoon Estate

the Mandoon Estate winery surrounded by lush greenery
The winery is nestled among tranquil greenery. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Distance from Perth: 30 mins

Mandoon Estate has the enviable title of being WA’s most-awarded boutique winery. The sprawling venue encompasses a working winery, cellar door, restaurant, accommodation and sprawling verdant grassed area aptly named ‘The Llawn’ where you can throw down a picnic blanket, order good wine and woodfired pizzas and listen to live music. Try their verdelho, which has been highly regarded by Ray Jordan Wine.

Address: 10 Harris Rd, Caversham WA 6055

Lancaster Wines

Lancaster Wines in Swan Valley
Peruse the offering at the cellar door. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Distance from Perth: 35 mins

Lancaster Wines lay claim to some of the oldest vines in the Swan Valley – not that you’d know it from their humble abode. Stop by the tin shed for outstanding chenin blanc, verdelho, chardonnay and shiraz. But Lancaster Wines is renowned for its dessert wine, so be sure to pick up a bottle to take home. If you’re keen on a sweet treat, head across the road to the Chocolate Factory for something indulgent.

Address: 5228 W Swan Rd, West Swan WA 6055

Fairbrossen

the vines at Fairbrossen, Perth
Freshly pruned vines at Fairbrossen.

Distance from Perth: 35 mins

Fairbrossen’s charming tasting room is located in the lush Perth Hills, with beautiful views to enjoy on a grazing board or platter with your wines. Their boutique, artisanal winemaking follows environmentally sustainable and organic principles with minimal interventions, and produces sparkling, chardonnay, vermentino, rose, cab sav, syrah, tempranillo and malbec – but if you’re feeling adventurous try their saperavi. This lesser-known varietal is an 8000-year-old Georgian grape variety and the only wine of its kind from Western Australia.

Address: 310 Rowe Rd, Witchcliffe WA 6286

Myattsfield Vineyards

guests exploring Myattsfield Vineyards, Perth
Discover the essence of artisanal winemaking. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Distance from Perth: 35 mins

Myattsfield Vineyards is owned by married couple Josh and Rachael who both have their own supreme pedigree in winemaking, with the pair both growing up in winemaking families. While everything on the Myattsfield tasting list is worth trying, their sparkling is an absolute stand-out, thanks in large part to Rachael. She’s been dubbed ‘the sparkling whisperer’ of WA, with any wineries experiencing problems with their sparkling vintage getting her in to diagnose. They use the traditional French method – method traditionelle – to produce this show-stopping wine, so you know it’s good. Hot tip: take a picnic, buy a bottle after your tasting and enjoy on the lawn.

Address: Union Rd, Carmel WA 6076

La Fattoria

an outdoor garden among the vines at La Fattoria, Perth
Nab a table in the outdoor garden among the vines. (Image: Experience Perth Hills Kalamunda)

Distance from Perth: 35 mins

La Fattoria – or La Fat as the locals call it – is a family-run cellar door and restaurant that celebrates all things Italian. Their wines – which happen to be made by their neighbours over at Myattsfield – are a true representation of Italy. They produce standalone wines for each variety, resisting the temptation to blend with mainstream grapes, as they believe this provides customers with the chance to experience Italian wine in its purest form. Expect varietals like barbera, nero d’avola, nebbiolo and fiano – as well as grappa and limoncello. And make sure you book a post-tasting lunch – their Nonna’s Table is a feed-me menu of Sicilian-inspired dishes driven by home-grown seasonal produce.

Address: 211 Merrivale Rd, Pickering Brook WA 6076

Lawnbrook Estate

people drinking and dining at the outdoor garden of Lawnbrook Estate, Perth
The outdoor garden is an idyllic spot for elevated tastings. (Image: Lawnbrook Estate)

Distance from Perth: 35 mins

Lawnbrook Estate is a multifaceted place, with a distillery, winery, cellar door, and restaurant. The distillery creates incredible gin, as well as limoncello and coffee liquor, while the winery produces the likes of chardonnay, shiraz, rosé and vermentino. Decide on your favourite and take a bottle over to their restaurant to enjoy alongside their lunch menu, which is farmhouse fare with a modern twist.

Address: 19 Loaring Rd, Bickley WA 6076

Kirsty Petrides
Kirsty Petrides is a writer, wine-lover and cheese enthusiast. Whether she’s hunting down the best restaurant in Albania, foraging the Marrakech markets for spices or camping in the middle of Patagonian wilderness, she loves to seek out the authentic side of the places she visits, and share that with readers through her writing.
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Inspire your senses with these iconic East Kimberley stays

    Jennifer EnnionBy Jennifer Ennion
    Continue
    The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

    Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts  that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

    A group of people enjoy an intimate dining experience at El Questro Homestead.
    Dine in the heart of nature.

    Your guide to Lake Argyle

    The backstory

    With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle .

    The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.

    Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.

    A boat glides across the expansive waters of Lake Argyle, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Kimberley. As part of the Discovery Holiday Parks experience, this unforgettable journey offers adventure and relaxation.
    Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.

    The rooms

    A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.

    The facilities

    There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.

    If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.

    Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.

    Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.

    Two people unwind in an infinity pool, overlooking stunning Lake Argyle at Discovery Holiday Parks.
    Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.

    Your guide to El Questro

    The backstory

    One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.

    The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.

    A person floats leisurely in the river at Discovery Holiday Parks, immersed in nature’s tranquillity.
    Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.

    The rooms

    Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.

    At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.

    Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.

    Two people stand beside a suite perched on the edge of a striking burnt-orange cliff, gazing out over the serene Chamberlain River below.
    Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.

    The facilities

    Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.

    Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.

    A group of people stand beside a tree, with a car parked nearby, taking in the surrounding natural beauty.
    Experience thrilling nature activities.

    Book your East Kimberley adventure today with Discovery Resorts.