Swan Valley: Afternoon Wine, Beer & Chocolate Tour with Lunch

Summary

Afternoon in Swan Valley tasting wine, sharing laughs and lingering over chocolate

You’ll spend an afternoon drifting through Swan Valley’s boutique wineries with a local guide, tasting over 30 wines and sharing stories over a vineyard platter lunch at Sittella Wines. Sample craft beer at a microbrewery and end with as much handmade chocolate as you can handle—all with easy hotel pickup and drop-off included.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to start my Swan Valley afternoon tour wandering around Guildford’s old streets—there’s this sleepy feeling to the place, like everyone’s just finished their coffee and is waiting for something good to happen. Our guide, Dave, waved us onto the coach right on time (he joked about “wine o’clock” being sacred here). The drive was short but outside the window, rows of vines started popping up—green and tangled, almost too neat. First stop: Windy Creek Estate. I’m not a wine expert but even I could tell their port was special—sweet and heavy, almost syrupy. There were little jars of chutney and jam set out too; I tried one called “Wicked Stepmother’s Relish” and honestly, it burned in the best way. Dave grinned when he saw my face.

Lunch at Sittella Wines felt like we’d stumbled into someone’s family gathering. Long tables under a veranda looking out at vines that just kept rolling away—one of those views you think you’ll forget but don’t. The platter was overflowing: cheeses that actually tasted different from each other (I always thought cheese was just… cheese), olives sharp enough to make you pucker, bread still warm from somewhere nearby. I tried to pronounce “Sittella” properly—Li laughed when I butchered it in front of the staff. After lunch they let us wander back into the cellar door if we wanted more tastings or gifts—I nearly bought a bottle but remembered my suitcase situation at the last second.

The afternoon blurred a bit after that—another winery (can’t remember the name now) where we compared reds and whites while someone’s dog snoozed under our table. Then came the brewery: cold beer in hand, sun dipping lower, people getting louder in that happy way groups do after a few tastings. Last stop was the chocolate place. It smelled like actual cocoa beans—not just sugar—and there were trays everywhere for sampling. I probably ate more than anyone else but nobody seemed to mind. We got dropped off back in Perth around five; my shoes were dusty and my head was light but not spinning.

I still think about that view from Sittella sometimes—the way the sunlight hit those rows of vines just before lunch arrived. If you’re looking for a half day trip from Perth that doesn’t feel rushed or forced (and includes pickup so you can nap on the way back), this Swan Valley wine tour is worth it—even if you don’t know your shiraz from your chardonnay.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Afternoon wine and food tasting tour

• Meet at Historic Village of Guildford
• Board air conditioned coach
• Visit Windy Creek Estate for wine tasting
• Sample relishes and jams
• Lunch at Sittella Wines with platter and wine
• Revisit Sittella cellar door
• Visit Bouquet Winery for tasting
• Sample beer at Craft Micro Brewery
• Enjoy handmade chocolates
• Return to Perth CBD hotel

Top questions

How long is the Swan Valley afternoon wine tour?

The tour lasts approximately 5 hours, starting around 11:45am and ending with drop-off in Perth at about 5pm.

Does this Swan Valley wine tour include lunch?

Yes, it includes a gourmet platter lunch with a glass of wine at Sittella Wines overlooking the vineyards.

How many wineries do we visit on this day trip?

You’ll visit three wineries in total during this half day trip from Perth.

Is hotel pickup included for this Swan Valley tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included for guests staying in Perth CBD or nearby areas.

Are beer tastings part of this Swan Valley wine tour?

Yes, after visiting wineries you’ll stop at a boutique microbrewery for a beer sample.

Can vegetarians be accommodated for lunch?

Vegetarian options are available if requested when booking your spot on the tour.

Is chocolate tasting included on this Swan Valley day trip?

You’ll visit a chocolate company where you can sample as much handmade chocolate as you like.

Where does the tour start if I’m not using hotel pickup?

The meeting point is Guildford village, which is about 10 minutes by train from central Perth.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes hotel pickup or meeting in historic Guildford village before visiting three wineries for full tastings (over 30 wines), sampling local cheeses and relishes along the way. You’ll enjoy a gourmet vineyard platter lunch with wine at Sittella Wines, try craft beer at a boutique brewery, indulge in handmade chocolates at a local company, then return to Perth by early evening—all transport and tastings covered.