Sandalford Wines

Location: 3210 West Swan Rd Caversham Western Australia 6055
Coordinate: S31°52.1405′ E115°59.0358′
Contact: +61 8 9374 9374
Website: http://www.sandalford.com/
Operating Hour: Restaurant 12pm - 3pm, Cellar Door 10am - 5pm

Our first visit today, in conjunction with Malaysia's National Day. After we had our breakfast from North Lodge, we try to find a place to go while waiting for Caversham Wildlife Park to open. We went to the tourist information center, and was informed to try out the winery in Swan Valley area. Sandalford Winery was highly recommended by the officer.

When we reached the winery, it was still not yet start operating for the day. However, we still manage to have a walk around the area as the staff were day to prepare for the day. It was still early for the day for any staff to entertain us then.

We passed by the Oak Room, which was undergoing some cleaning and renovation most likely to cater for a function. The function room was full of oak barrels, Hessian draped ceiling and wrought iron chandelier. It was a marvelous place to have function, especially wedding dinner in my opinion.

Not far from Oak Room, we found a outdoor place where there was few tables and barrels. The area was planted with grape tree as well. Too bad, it was end of winter and hence we could only see the branches. However, we do enjoying the environment here, and taking some photo here of course. Due the day still early, nothing can be bought here during that time.

Next, we came to the garden and again there was some tree planted there. The grapes was planted in year 1890, basically more than a century ago. It would be very nice if it grew fruits, especially during autumn I guess. Though I've been to Australia few times, but it always coincide with winter and hence couldn't experience to see the grape.

Sandalford is one of the Western Australia's oldest and largest privately owned wineries. Hence would like to made known the history value of the winery which I've quoted from their website:

John Septimus Roe become Western Australia's first Surveyor General after an illustrious career in the British Navy. An accomplished explorer and Mathematician he worked in the New South Wales colony from 1817 to 1827 before accepting the West Australian role in 1829.

After 11 years of service which included the overseeing the development of colonies at Fremantle and Perth, he was in 1840 rewarded for his efforts by the reigning Queen Victoria with the bequethment of 2,000 acres of land along the Swan River in Caversham.

He named the Swan Valley property Sandalford, and soon after planted the first vines there. The property flourished and wines produced from the vines grown there satisfied the requirements of the local community for the decades following.

The Winemaker at Sandalford Wines from the mid 60's to the late 70's was Dorham Mann - son of famed Wine-making Pioneer Jack Mann. Under Dorham's advice the Roe family expanded into the Margaret River region in the South West of Western Australia.

This area had earlier been assayed by Dr John Gladstone which he assessed as being an ideal climate and terrior for the growing of Premium wine grapes, likening the terroir and general conditions to famed region of Bordeaux in France. Based on this the Roe family purchased a 280 hectare property which was planted with vines in 1970.

This Wilyabrup sub region of Margaret River has gone on to be one of the most famed wine producing areas in all of Australia, and indeed is recognised on the World stage for amazing Cabernet's Chardonnay's and now Shiraz.

1840 and 1970 are therefore very important dates in the history of Sandalford Wines, and whilst we look to the future with great optimism having plans to grow and expand our wine, tourism, F&B, and Event offerings, we will never lose sight of our heritage and the fact Sandalford Wines was indeed a pioneer of both the Swan Valley and Margaret River.

We felt this is a great place to visit, though it's a bit regret that it was still not open yet during our visit. Hopefully can come back here during our next visit back to Perth.