Craig Drummond
Sandalford Swan Valley vineyard is one of WA’s oldest, established in 1840 by John Septimus Roe, the first surveyor-general of the Colony.
He was granted 4000 acres on the Swan River and, amongst his many agricultural endeavours, he pursued vines brought from South Africa. Once planted they heralded the dawn of the Swan Valley wine industry. He named it Sandalford after his English home.
Future generations of the Roe family continued on the property. In 1970 a large property was purchased in Wilyabrup, Margaret River, vines were planted and they became one of the pioneers of that region too.
Today this is where much of the premium fruit comes from. The combined vineyards now total over 100 hectares.
A quantum change occurred in 1990 when Sandalford Wines was purchased by Perth businessman Peter Prendiville. The Prendiville’s came with considerable experience in hospitality and tourism, and a significant injection of capital has seen a revamping of both properties and the creation of a state-of-the-art winery.
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Wines today are released under six different labels, the pinnacle being the ultra-premium Prendiville Reserve range.
The wines
Sandalford 1840 Swan Valley 2025 Rose, RRP $35
The 1840 range of wines are made to showcase old Swan Valley vines. A refreshing wine for drinking slightly chilled this summer as an aperitif or accompanying salads and seafoods. Displays a lively pink colour, fresh and fruity aromas, rose petal. Light bodied, delicate, some texture added from lees contact, raspberry flavours with a crisp and dry finish.
Sandalford 1840 Swan Valley 2025 Chenin Blanc, RRP $35
A young wine drinking nicely now and with a big future. A fruit driven wine with aromas of guava, ripe banana, and a touch of spice. On the palate Granny Smith apple, citrus, a central core of acidity, and a minerally edge. Will take five-to-eight years to develop complex secondary fruit characters of quince, lanolin and honeysuckle, if you have the patience to wait that long.
Sandalford 1840 Swan Valley 2023 Grenache, RRP $40
Typical Swan Valley varietally expressive Grenache with its bright beetroot red colour, confectioned aroma with scented red fruits. Medium bodied with red currant and cherry kernel flavours. The 14.5% alcohol gives warmth to the palate. Tannins are gravelly. A rustic style to drink slightly pre-chilled this summer. May reward with three-to-four years cellaring.
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Sandalford Margaret River 2023 Wilyabrup Cabernet Merlot, RRP $29
From the Margaret River range, their intentions being value for money wines. An easy drinking medium bodied wine. Combines the characteristic Margaret River Cabernet cassis with the mellow velvety suppleness of Merlot. The result is a harmonious balanced wine, enjoyable now and will develop over another few years. Certainly lives up to the value for money intention.
Sandalford Margaret River 2020 Estate Reserve Shiraz, RRP $59
The Estate Range are Wilyabrup wines made from selected fruit and given quality winemaking. This wine is still youthful with a five-to-eight-year future. Nose is spicy with nutmeg and blackberry. Palate shows fruit concentration with generous flavours of blackcurrant and mulberry. Savoury and spicy integrated with quality fine grained French oak. A very pleasing wine.
Reviewer’s Pick
Sandalford Sandalera Rare Liqueur Verdelho, RRP $130 (500mls)
Words that immediately come to mind are sensational, captivating and delicious. This is what our Swan Valley was famous for – wonderful fortified wines. After the 1960s, drinkers transgressed to European-style table wines and fortified wine went into decline. Tasting this wine, one wonders why?
The Verdelho grapes are left on vine to ripen fully. Fermentation is arrested with a neutral grape spirit retaining sweetness. Matured in old oak and cross blended over 30 years. The oldest component in this wine is from 1957. The result a luscious, unctuous wine, mahogany in colour, the aromas complex with raisins, walnut and roasted coffee. Flavours of toffee and caramel, with a nutty rancio. Palate length is amazing.
If you have never experienced it, then it is well worth the price.
We have a dozen bottles of Sandalford wine to giveaway. Head to our competitions page to enter.
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