Dive into the fundamentals of wine tasting at Upper Reach Winery in WA’s Swan Valley. This engaging 1.5-hour masterclass brings you behind the scenes of a working winery to taste, learn, and appreciate the region’s vibrant wines.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Accessible to all fitness levels; requires seating and minimal physical exertion.
Wildlife
History
Swan Valley is Western Australia’s oldest wine region, with vineyards established in the 1820s, preserving a legacy of pioneering viticulture.
Conservation
Upper Reach Winery practices sustainable irrigation and vineyard management to minimize environmental impact and protect Swan Valley's unique ecosystem.
Upper Reach Winery
Dive into the fundamentals of wine tasting at Upper Reach Winery in WA’s Swan Valley. This engaging 1.5-hour masterclass brings you behind the scenes of a working winery to taste, learn, and appreciate the region’s vibrant wines.
Upper Reach Winery is a boutique winery that combines hands-on wine education with curated tasting experiences. The winery offers a range of guided sessions including Wine 101 appreciation classes, Wine 103 masterclasses on wine aging, public tastings, and guided winery tours. Several experiences include multi-course lunches—two-course and three-course options—paired with tastings to highlight food and wine interaction.
Sessions at Upper Reach take place in authentic production settings among barrels and tanks, providing direct exposure to winemaking environments while tasting. Wine 101 focuses on foundational wine appreciation, tasting techniques, and basic blending. Wine 103 dives into wine aging, pairing aged bottles alongside their younger counterparts and offers practical cellar-starting advice for guests interested in building a personal collection.
Upper Reach Winery emphasizes education and approachable hospitality, welcoming beginners and experienced wine lovers alike. Experiences are presented in small-group formats typical of a boutique operation, and many visits include scenic vineyard views to enhance the tasting atmosphere. The winery provides on-site tasting and guided explanations of styles, aging, and production practices mentioned during sessions.
All offerings listed are organized as discrete experiences: Wine 101 classes (with and without lunch), Wine 103 masterclasses (with and without a three-course lunch), a traditional winery tour and tasting, and a two-course lunch winery tour. These experiences are crafted to inform, engage, and showcase the winery’s tasting and educational programming.
Tours Offered
6
Multiple distinct experiences available
Wine Education
Multiple classes
Structured Wine 101 and Wine 103
Session Length
2.5 hours
Typical Wine 101 duration
Lunch Pairings
Two & Three-course
Dining options with selected tours
Reserve a spot for a Wine 101 session, a Wine 103 masterclass, or a guided winery tour with lunch and enjoy hands-on education and tasting.
Arrive Early to Settle In
Give yourself a few minutes before the session starts to get comfortable and take in the winery’s working environment.
Wear Flat Non-Slip Shoes
The winery floor can be wet; suitable footwear helps maintain safety during the class.
Ask Questions Freely
The class embraces curiosity—no question about wine is too basic or too complex.
Bring a Light Jacket
Winery interiors can be cool, so having a jacket ensures your comfort throughout the tasting.
Flat Non-Slip Shoes
Keeps your footing safe on potentially wet winery floors.
Light Jacket
Provides comfort in cooler indoor winery environments.
fall|winter|spring
Notebook and Pen
Useful for jotting down tasting notes and wine insights.
Reusable Water Bottle
Helps stay hydrated especially during warm weather visits.
summer