By Craig Drummond, Master of Wine
Located in the heart of the Swan Valley, Olive Farm Wines is steeped in history with the vineyard originally established by Botanist Thomas Waters in 1829.
This makes it the oldest vineyard site in WA and the second oldest in Australia.
In 1933 Ivan Yurisich migrated from Yugoslavia and bought Olive Farm. starting a WA family wine dynasty. Then came second generation Vince, who by 1964 had added a new level to their winemaking, including making WA’s first traditional method sparkling wine.
By 1981, Vince’s son Ivan was at the helm and, being the first of the family with formal winemaking qualifications, he took the family business to a new level. A big change occurred in 2006 with a new purpose-built winery and a move within the Swan Valley
Fourth generation Anthony Yurisich became the winemaker in 2008 and is still in charge today. He has been innovative, adding new varieties and wine styles.
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With 22 hectares under vine on site with the winery, he produces 40 wines from 25 grape varieties. Many styles are made – sparkling, whites, reds, rose, dry, sweet and fortified.
Some old vine Grenache is outsourced within the Valley but most wines are Estate grown. I reviewed six of Olive Farm’s wines and they certainly demonstrate the quality of our Swan Valley.
The wines
Olive Farm 2025 Swan Valley Verdelho RRP $29
Aromas are fruity with tropical notes of pineapple. The mid-palate fruit weight is typical of the Valley and the textural mouthfeel is balanced by the
mineral backbone. Lemon rind and citrus flavours abound. A great seafood wine now with a six-to-eight-year future.
Olive Farm Museum Release 2019 Swan Valley Chenin Blanc RRP $40
A wine that demonstrates very nicely what this variety from the Swan Valley can do with bottle age. The nose is wonderfully complex with ripe stone fruits. Palate is also complex with great fruit weight. Shows lanolin, lemon curd and a touch of toast. Its acidity holds it together and is central to its longevity. Drinking perfectly now and will reward for a few more years as it gains more honeysuckle and toasty characters.
Olive Farm 2025 Swan Valley Alicante Rose RRP $29
Made from the Alicante Bouchet grape variety, the unique feature of this grape is that it is red-fleshed and lends itself to the rose style. The iridescent pink/red colour of this wine is striking. I see this as a fun wine for early consumption and great on warm summer days. It is sweet fruited, with overt red berry flavours, confectioned, fruit pastels but finishes dry.
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Olive Farm 2021 Swan Valley Petit Verdot RRP $33
A Bordeaux variety usually used sparingly in blends, but with a few varietal examples now produced. It suits warm climates like the Swan Valley as it ripens late. Youthful for its age, the nose shows cedary oak, bramble bush, and menthol. Palate is full bodied showing earthy characters, mulberry, dark plum and cardamon. Currently drinking very well.
Olive Farm 2018 Swan valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $42
Another big wine. Displays a deep garnet colour with a slightly browning meniscus reflecting its seven years age. Herbaceous aromas with some aniseed and coffee ground. Palate is medium to full bodied showing power with some delicacy. Flavours of blueberry, blackberry and a touch of liquorice. Has good length and finish, will reward for another five to seven years.
Reviewers pick
Olive Farm 2018 Swan Valley Reserve Shiraz RRP $42
Wow! This is my top choice of this tasting – big, bold and beautiful. The Reserve label implies careful fruit selection and quality production and oak. The aromas are big with cracked black pepper, Indian Ink, and cigar box oak. Palate is vibrant aniseed, mushroom and black olive. The massive 15.4% alcohol is in balance, as is the oak. Flavours are long with a great finish. This wine has another 10 years in it yet.
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