We usually think of good wine when we talk about the Swan Valley, but it also happens to be an absolute foodie haven, brimming with organic produce, cracking restaurants and more, just 30 minutes from Perth.
Running from 16 February to 5 March, Harvest in the Swan Valley is a festival celebrating all of the yummy food and wine coming out of the region. Various venues are flinging open their doors to host long lunches and dinners, masterclasses and behind-the-scenes tours. You can even get hands-on grape picking at an organic winery or harvest honey straight from a hive (bee suits and all).
If you're not sure where to start, we've rounded up some of the best events to book at Harvest in the Swan Valley this year. We suggest you book now so you don’t miss out.
A Taste of Italy
Pasta in the Valley | Saturday 25 February
If you’re not one of the lucky ones jetting off to Europe this year, transport yourself to northern Italy with this gnocchi and pesto-making workshop. You’ll earn your lunch by kneading your gnocchi dough into fluffy bites of perfection, then blending up a pesto that would impress the likes of Nigella Lawson. Tuck into the fruits of your labour with a glass of wine by the vineyards. Book here.
Upper Reach Harvest Lunch
Upper Reach Restaurant | Sunday 26 February
Upper Reach Restaurant has to be one of our favourite winery restaurants in the Swan Valley; you can relax by the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing over the vineyards as the best Swan Valley produce is plated up for you. Their long table lunch will see you eating plump tiger prawns with Swan Valley sweetcorn puree, braised pork cheeks, local honey with halloumi, watermelon with Persian feta and a dark chocolate and peanut butter tart. We’re drooling already. Book here.
Marron Feast
Swan Valley Station | Friday 24 February
This laid-back (and more budget-friendly) lunch is perfect if you love marron or have always wanted to try this delicacy. Caught from their on-site lake, Swan Valley Station will prepare the marron for you and serve it alongside Swan Valley veggies, finishing with a fruit ice cream. The venue is super family-friendly, so bring the little ones along and they can run wild on the playground and visit the donkeys and miniature ponies. Book here.
Honey Harvest
The House of Honey & Sticky Spoon Café | Sunday 26 February
At this hands-on event, you’ll put on a bee suit and head into the hives, ready to harvest honeycomb and extract your own jar of premium honey to take home. You’ll discover what the life of a beekeeper is like, and see what’s involved in making small-batch, WA honey (considered some of the tastiest in the world). Book here.
Sittella’s Harvest Lunch
Sittella Winery & Restaurant | Saturday 25 February
Sittella Winery will welcome you with a glass of bubbly before taking you on a behind-the-scenes tour to see where the magic happens and to meet the talented winemakers. You’ll then be seated for a set menu lunch overlooking the lake and undulating vineyard. Each delicious dish is paired with a glass of Sitella vino. Book here.
Giniversity Harvest in the Valley Dinner
Limeburners & Giniversity in the Valley | Saturday 25 February
Combining Giniversity gin and Swan Valley produce, this dinner will see you making your way through five courses, including gin-infused kingfish and pork, each dish paired with a gin-tasting. You might want to have a designated driver for this one! Book here.
Feeling thirsty? Here are the best Swan Valley wineries to visit.
Image credit: supplied