Strength in Numbers

Discover the rich history of fortified wines in the Swan Valley. Meet the people behind this classic dessert wine style as you embark on Australia’s only Fortified Wine Trail.

BY DANIELLE COSTLEY

THERE ARE MORE than 30 wineries to visit as you weave your way along a picturesque 32km road trip in this historic wine region and learn about the origins of this intriguing dessert wine.

It was back in the 16th century when exporting wines overseas was precarious at best.

To stabilise wines for the tumultuous sea voyage, winemakers began adding brandy spirit to the wine. This increased the alcohol content to around 20 per cent and added a complexity to the wine style, making it more palatable. It also resulted in the birth of fortified wines.

Fortifieds are traditionally richer, sweeter and more complex than table wines. This is a result of the fruit being left to hang on the vine in the sunshine, allowing the grapes to sweeten and ripen.

Some are left to shrivel as raisins on the vine, resulting in an extraordinarily high sugar level. This is where the rich, full flavours are developed. Its delicious, natural sweetness is quite lush and syrupy on the palate.

Whether it’s the combination of the warm Mediterranean climate that is conducive for growing varietals such as Muscat, Pedro Ximenez and Shiraz, or the skilled craftsmanship that comes from four generations of knowledge from the founding wineries, one thing is certain - the Swan Valley fortifieds are recognised as some of the best in the world.

As you embark on the Swan Valley Fortified Wine Trail, you will taste rich and luscious liqueurs made in a variety of styles, as well as learn what is the best pairing for the dessert wine. But these are not the only treasures to be unearthed on your journey. It is the people who are just as special - and just as memorable.

Linger over a luscious fortified and have a chat with the craftspeople behind these wines.

This is a snapshot of just some of the dessert wines you will encounter on your travels.

Windy Creek Estate

There are an impressive seven different styles of fortifieds being produced at Windy Creek Estate – a Liqueur Muscat, Liqueur

[their] passion for this sticky style has seen them garner an impressive swag of medals at the regional wine shows.

Shiraz, Ximenez, Topaz, 30yr Reserve Frontignac and Tawny Ports. The wines from this fertile patch of land are distinctly luscious and generous with complex raisin and dried fruit flavours and represent incredible value.

In fact, Tony and Ruth Cobanov’s passion for this sticky style has seen them garner an impressive swag of medals at the regional wine shows.

Try the Liqueur Muscat or Toffee Topaz at this relaxed and charming cellar door that was first established by the Cobanov family back in 1937.

Tony’s fascination with dessert wines began at the young age of 16, when he would work alongside his father in the winery.

“The soils and the climate in the Swan Valley allow the grapes to ripen to an extremely high sugar concentration, which results in a natural jam-iness,” Tony explains.

“We are fortunate to be able to leave the grapes on the skins for an extended period, which is similar to Portuguese production methods. After several months of being left

on the skins, the grapes develop extremely intensive characters and flavours.”

Windy Creek Estate grows several grape varieties suitable for producing fortified wines, at its Herne Hill vineyard.

“With our younger fortifieds, we can obtain wonderfully fresh and lively characters with exciting early drinking wines,” Tony adds. windycreekestate.com.au

OH-SO SWEET Tony Cobanov of Windy Creek Estate says thanks to the soil and climate, Swan Valley fortifieds achieve a natural jam-iness - delicious!

Swan Valley

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IN THE HEART OF THE SWAN VALLEY WINE REGION

Discovery Parks – Swan Valley o ers self-contained cabins, powered and unpowered sites, only 25 minutes out of Perth. The kids will love the swimming pool and playground, there’s cabins that sleep up to 8 for larger groups and even pet-friendly cabins and sites so no one has to be left behind. Campers and Caravanners will enjoy all the facilities including a Camp Kitchen, Laundry and BBQs.

... time is something you cannot substitute with fortified wines.

Olive Farm Wines

Varying winemaking techniques, such as barrel ageing and finished sweetness levels, are employed by the Swan Valley producers to create their extensive fortified range.

The Yurisich family has had its roots firmly entrenched in the Swan Valley since 1933 and today, its wines are produced by fourth generation winemaker, Anthony Yurisich.

With seven fortifieds in its portfolio, consumer palates are well catered for at this cellar door.

Its latest release is the Stari, which has been made from the original fortified wines that were crafted nearly 100 years ago and blended with wines from current vintages.

This rare find is a blend of Muscat, Verdelho, Tokay and Pedro Ximenez. It’s rich and syrupy with ample toffee and caramel characters.

“We are guaranteed a hot summer in the Swan Valley, so we are always able to ripen the grapes to the point of raisins, if desired,” says Anthony.

“We also have multi-generational wineries that have stocks dating back decades – time is something you cannot substitute with fortified wines. This is what makes our region so special.” olivefarmwines.com.au Talijancich Wines

This winery has also been producing fortified wines since the 1930s, carefully blending small portions of wines over a period of decades, before the batches are bottled.

It began with Muscat and shiraz and has evolved over the years to include plantings of Pedro Ximenez, verdelho and grenache, among others.

Owner and winemaker, James Talijancich, has been making wines for 40 years, continually blending the fortifieds in a solera system to maintain a consistent flavour.

Its Julian James Rare Pedro 1978 Solero is made from a base wine that dates to 1978.

Whether served over ice with a slice of lemon, chilled as an aperitif, or savoured with dessert, these locally crafted fortifieds are an explosion of flavours that demand your attention.

AGEWORTHY Fourth generation winemaker, Anthony Yurisich (left), says the Valley has fortifieds dating back decades.