Swan River and Swan Valley Wine History: From Indigenous Heritage to 180 Years of Winemaking

The Swan river history is long. The indigenous heritage of the Swan Valley region is over 40,000 years old. The Noongar Aboriginal people of the Wadjuk tribe, who are the traditional landowners of the Swan Valley, lived here before the colonial invasion began. As per the beliefs of the first nations' people, the Swan Valley was created by a serpent named Wagyl who is still believed to be living under the Swan River.[2]

The Swan Valley area was explored in 1827 by Captain James Stirling later to become Governor of the Swan River Colony. Stirling was so impressed with the area that he wrote in his diary:[3]

...the richness of the soil, the bright foliage of the shrubs, the majesty of the surrounding trees, the abrupt and red colour banks of the river occasionally seen, and the view of the blue mountains, from which we were not far distant, made the scenery of this spot as beautiful as anything of the kind I have ever witnessed...

Swan Valley Wine History

The Swan Valley wineries have been making wine for over 180 years, the second oldest wine region in Australia.

Grape vine cuttings were bought by the british settlers in 1829 from the Cape of Good Hope. A small quanity of wine was made in 1834 from a vineyard near the Swan River.

Later settlers grew grapes and had orchards along the fertile banks of the Swan River. Some of the names that remain today are Olive Farm and Sandalford.

The first sparkling wine that was made on the premises was named "Madeleine Claire" after his daughter, this traditional method is a vintage sparkling blanc de blanc.

October 2018 we celebrated 20 years of ownership.

On the 17th of June 2019 Harris Organic Wines and Spirits became certified with Southern Cross certifiers, ready for the 2000 vintage.


April 2020 we made a large quantity of COVID 19 hand sanitiser

April 2021 we introduced Australia's first organic Pisco spirit made from pedro ximenez. Pisco Shop

Baskerville - Centenary - 2022

In 1922, after the first world war, more immigrants came to Perth to seek their fame and fortune. The land west of the Great Northern Highway was subdivided in Baskerville for viticulture. It was advertised as "The Pick of the Famous Upper Swan". Blocks sold readily and with generous terms, not seen these days. Try, 10 percent deposit and the remainder, interest free, over 7 years.

On Saturday the 17th June 1922, the Western Australian newspaper advertised the following:

BASKERVILLE.
BASKERVILLE.
BASKERVILLE.
BASKERVILLE.
THE BEST . THE BEST
Of
UPPER SWAN VINE LANDS.
Eight Hiles from Midland Junction and
Siding a few chains from the Property.
SUBDIVIDED AT LAST.
And
NOW OFFERED FOR THE FIRST TIME.
All Cleared and Ready for the Plough.
All Cleared and Ready for the Plough.
ACCURATELY DESCRIBIED AS SOME OF
THE FINEST VINE COUNTRY IN THE
WORLD.
FORTUNES- ARE BEING MADE AT
RAISIN and CURRANT GROWING.
RAISIN and CURRANT GROWING.
THE RETURNS BEING QUICK, AND AN
UNLIMITED MARKET.
THIS IS THE LAST OF THE BEST LAND.
SPECIAL NOTICE.
SPECIAL NOTICE.
The 4 Blocks Reserved in this Subdivision
for one of the family are :
NOW THROWN OPEN
for purchase These are some of the picked
blocks in the Estate.
TERMS: Only 1 per cent. deposit, balance
over 7 years
WITHOUT INTEREST,
OR 20 PER CENT. DISCOUNT FOR CASH.
GET A PLAN FROM US.
LEARMONTH, DUFFY, and CO,
Emanuel Buildings,
St George's- Terrace, Perth
Or
The W.A. TRUSTEE, EXECUTOR, and
AGENCY CO., LTD., Trustees, with Mr
Trevor Barrett-Lennard, in the Estate of the
late Mr. G. H. Barrett-Lennard.

The blocks of land were planted with vines, mostly dried fruit, then table grapes, and later wine grapes, depending on the demand of the Perth market.

In 2022, there will be several celebratory events. Keep an eye on the events page for further infomation.

Harris Organic Wines acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal peoples.

[2] "Indigenous history". Swan Valley.
[3] Explorers' Diaries of Western Australia