Swan Valley: Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Day Trip from Perth

Summary

Wineries, tapas lunch, distillery tastings and chocolate in Swan Valley

You’ll taste local wines straight from Swan Valley vineyards, enjoy a relaxed tapas-style lunch with your choice of drink, sample spirits at an award-winning distillery, and finish with handmade chocolates. With pickup included from Perth and a guide who knows every corner of the valley, you’ll leave feeling both welcomed and well-fed.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the soft clinking of glasses as we stepped into the first winery in Swan Valley—somehow it made the place feel alive before we’d even tasted anything. Our guide, Mark (who’s apparently on a first-name basis with half the valley), waved us over to a sunny table already set with a cheeseboard that smelled like fresh bread and something sharp—maybe blue cheese? I’m not usually one for early-morning wine but, honestly, it just felt right here. The drive from Perth was short enough that I barely finished my coffee before we were surrounded by vines.

We tried wines at three different spots—one big and bustling, another tiny with a dog asleep under the counter (I think his name was Max?), and one where the winemaker actually poured our glasses herself. She explained how their Shiraz gets its peppery kick from the local soil. I tried to sound like I knew what she meant but mostly just nodded and took another sip. Lunch was this generous spread of tapas—warm olives, grilled veggies, something flaky that disappeared too fast—and you got to pick your drink. I went for cider because why not?

Later in the afternoon, we switched gears at an award-winning distillery. The gin there had this weird citrus note that stuck with me all day—still can’t quite put my finger on it. Someone in our group asked about the process and the guy behind the bar launched into this story about botanicals growing wild along the riverbanks; he seemed genuinely proud of his craft. The last stop was Western Australia’s oldest chocolate factory. It smelled like cocoa even outside on the steps. I probably ate more samples than is polite but no one seemed to care.

By late afternoon, everyone was a bit quieter on the ride back—maybe full or maybe just content. There’s something about tasting your way through Swan Valley with someone who knows every back road and story that makes you see it differently. I keep thinking about that sleepy dog at the little winery and how easy it is to lose track of time out here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Swan Valley wine and food tour

• Travel from Perth to Swan Valley
• Visit local wineries for guided tastings
• Enjoy cheeseboard and local produce
• Have tapas-style lunch with drink
• Visit award-winning distillery for tastings
• Stop at oldest chocolate factory
• Return to Perth in air-conditioned comfort

Top questions

How long does the Swan Valley wine tour take?

The tour lasts a full day, starting with pickup around 9:45am in Perth.

Is lunch included on this Swan Valley day trip?

Yes, lunch is included—a generous tapas-style meal with your choice of wine, beer, cider or soft drink.

Are there vegetarian options available for lunch?

Vegetarian options are available if you mention dietary needs when booking.

Does this tour include hotel pickup in Perth?

The tour includes pickup from select locations in Perth; you’ll choose your spot when booking.

What is the minimum age for wine tasting on this tour?

The minimum drinking age is 18 years old; international visitors need to bring their passport as proof of age.

Can children join this Swan Valley wine & chocolate tour?

This tour isn’t suitable for children under 7 years old.

Do I need to bring anything special for this day trip?

No special gear needed; sunscreen and umbrellas are provided if required.

How many wineries do we visit during the tour?

You’ll visit several wineries plus a distillery and chocolate factory during your day trip from Perth.

What’s included

Your day includes convenient pickup in Perth (just select your preferred spot when booking), all guided tastings at boutique wineries and an award-winning distillery, a delicious cheeseboard to start things off right, a hearty tapas-style lunch paired with your choice of drink (wine, beer, cider or soft drink), plus sunscreen and umbrellas if needed—and plenty of time for chocolate sampling before heading back relaxed in air-conditioned comfort.