Upper Reach Winery, Swan Valley

Longing for a lazy lunch? My bet is to head to the lovely Upper Reach in the Swan Valley! Found on the banks of the upper reaches of the Swan River, the boutique winery is found off Great Northern Highway in Baskerville. The quiet haven enjoys sweeping vineyard views from its restaurant, not to mention very tasty wine!

We took advantage of the sunny spring weather and booked lunch on the winery’s balcony. The pretty spot is shaded by climbing vines, and overlooks the lawns, huge gum tree and the lush rows of grapevines beyond.

My tip – on arrival visit lovely owner Laura at her Cellar Door to find your favourite wine, before ordering a glass (or bottle!) over lunch.

Head Chef Ryan Fels (previously from the Bickley Valley’s Vineyard Kitchen at Brookside) is passionate about using local produce in his dishes. On Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays – a great value $65 three course set menu is on offer. On weekends this is $75. An la carte manu is also available. Here’s a selection of what we ate:

Chorizo with goats cheese, smoked almonds and honey (gf)

Perfectly chargrilled Abrolhos Island octopus, with romesco sauce and guindilla peppers (gf)

For mains we enjoyed a Linley Valley pork cutlet, with savoy cabbage, pancetta and café de paris butter (gf). Plus, a side of crushed kipfler potatoes (gf).

My mum loved the spiced lamb and feta parcel, with beetroot yogurt, and a roquette, barberry and pistachio salad – a signature dish of Chef Ryan’s.

The dark chocolate peanut butter pie with vanilla ice cream is to die for!

If you visit on a weekend and are looking for something more casual, their Treehouse Pizza Bar, found under the giant old gum tree, offers up casual woodfied pizza. The clean toilets are found outside, away from the restaurant and reached by a set of stairs. Wheelchair access is by a longer route. Parking is plentiful.