Wine Regions
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Viticulture has been practised intermittently in the picturesque Perth Hills amidst the Darling Ranges for over a century but on a generally tiny scale. Thus, while Despeissis was able to report in 1902 that grapes grown in the Mundaring-Chidlow subregion ripened two to three weeks later than in the Swan Valley, the earliest of the present day wineries in the region date back only to the 1980s. For a long time very few of the region's wineries crushed more than 50 tonnes (45.4 tons). However, Western Range Wines has now established a vineyard of 100 hectares (40.47 acres) in the Chittering Valley and a much greater regional production is anticipated. It is an area that is very different to the Swan District and is only 22 kilometres (14 miles) from Perth, making it easily accessible to day trippers.
There are no subregions.
As expected, the climate varies significantly with altitude, but also with the orientation of the maze of valleys that criss-cross the Perth Hills. The tempering influences which reduce the heat summation and delay ripening for 10 to 21 days (compared to the Swan Valley) are firstly the altitude; secondly, the free air flow, and thirdly exposure to afternoon sea breezes. The annual rainfall of 900 to 1200 mm (35 to 47 inches), depending on altitude is strongly winter-spring dominant and given adequate dam and thus irrigation sites, the climate poses no problems for the vigneron. Overall, Dr John Gladstones likens it to that of the Douro Valley in Portugal, which is perhaps why it should be more suited to dessert wines and fuller bodied reds than to lighter bodied table wines.
Rivulets and often dry creek beds, ridges, hills and valleys criss-cross the region in every direction, offering an almost unlimited choice of aspect and slope but those cut off from the sea breeze influence tend to be warmer rather than cooler.
The valley slopes have ironstone and gravel sandy loams as well as gravelly loams which overlay clay, similar in type to much of South West Australia and which were once covered with marri forests. They are well suited to viticulture, being of moderate fertility and producing moderate yields.
Wineries
Ashley Estate, Avalon Wines, Briery Estate, Brookside Vineyard, Carosa Vineyard, Chittering Estate, Chittering Valley Winery & Nesci Estate Wines, Cosham Wines, Darlington Estate, Deep Dene Wines, Francois Jacquard Winemaker, Jarrah Ridge Winery, Lawnbrook Estate Wines, Millbrook Winery Piesse Brook Wines, Walsh Family Wines, Western Range Wines and York Wines.
If you would like to have your winery included in this list, please email awbc@awbc.com.au.
Wine Notes
Chardonnay
The ubiquitous Chardonnay does not disappoint, and the best white wines from the Perth Hills region have been made from this variety. One would expect the style to be generous, and it usually is, but some are quite tight.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
These are frequently blended, sometimes released as straightforward varietal wines, and produced by the majority of the wineries in the region. The wines are reliable and pleasant; full flavoured, with chocolaty, earthy and berry flavours.
Shiraz
The winemakers of the Perth Hills are in agreement with their colleagues in many other Australian wine regions in their shared enthusiasm for Shiraz which here, as in other warmer regions, is generously fruity.
Vital Statistics
| Kalamunda 1908-1994 |
| Map Coordinates | 31° 59'S, 116° 03'E |
| Altitude | 150-400 m (492-1312 feet) |
| Heat degree days, Oct-Apr | 1769 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted) |
| Sunshine hours, Oct-Apr | 1949 (Gladstones) |
| Annual rainfall | 1069 mm (42.1 inches) |
| Growing season rainfall | 227 mm (8.9 inches) |
| Mean January temperature | 23.3°C (74°F) |
| Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 9 am | Average 61% |
| Harvest | Late Feb - Apr |