Valley set for spring

Tuesday, 26 September, 2000 - 21:00
SWAN Valley will spring into action next month.

Mulberry Farm will host the pre-Spring in the Valley, the Swan Valley Wine Show, on October 2.

Swan Valley winemakers are exhibiting their vintages in growing numbers and will be judged by mega-judge John Hanley, wine columnist Ray Jordan, retailer Michael Tamburri, of La Vigna Liquor Store, and Steve Charters, master of wine and lecturer at Edith Cowan University.

Most wine shows do not include the public, but the Swan Valley event differs as people are welcome to go along and sample the wines being judged. Finger foods include samples of the cheese products of the Swan Valley Cheese Company.

Entry costs $16.50, which includes a printed Swan Valley tasting glass. Tickets can be obtained from Mulberry Farm and the Swan Valley Winemakers Association.

Planing is well under way for the valley’s greatest annual event, Spring in the Valley, The festival attracts more than 50,000 people, making it the largest event of its style in Australia.

Spring in the Valley happens during the weekend of October 14-15.

You will find a lot more than simply fine wine. Art, food, gourmet hampers and entertainment all take place at the various wineries open all weekend for the two-day spectacular.

In addition, there will be horse show-jumping and dressage events, a new grapevine walk trail will be open, there will be an antique and collectors fair and helicopter tourist flights over the picturesque valley.

Wineries and wines not to miss are Sandalford’s $6m expansion (Riesling), Little River (Cabernet Merlot), Lamont (Riesling), Henley Park (vintage port), Lilac Hill Estate (Chenin Blanc), Swanbrook Estate (Chardonnay and Shiraz), Talijancich (Verdelho), Upper Reach (Chardonnay), Westfield Wines (merlot and chardonnay), Garbin Estate (chenin blanc), Houghton (chardonnay and shiraz) and Jane Brook (shiraz).