Hainault Vineyard and Cafe

My regular readers will know that I adore the Perth Hills – I was born there and spent much of my life in the Kalamunda area. I’m slowly working my way around the many boutique venues in the Bickley Valley Wine region – last weekend we visited Hainault Vineyard and Café with my parents.

Hainault is in the middle of the Bickley jarrah forests, near to the old Perth Observatory. It’s a small family run vineyard, which was established about 35 years ago. The staff are very friendly and welcoming – and the winery dogs are too!

The veranda and decking areas overlook the vineyards below – a stunning view. It would be easy to while away a few hours here over a bottle of wine.

I was driving, so I had a glass of the Carmel Juice Company’s Apple Juice. It is a clear juice, with just a hint of green and tasted so smooth. None of the acidic taste you get with supermarket bought juices. I loved it. The juice is locally produced, handcrafted just up the road, from the Giumelli’s orchards. 

The food available is a “home cooked” style – don’t expect 5* food – it is a tiny family run winery after all. On the menu you’ll find soup, tarts, salad, freshly baked cakes etc. As well as weekend lunches, the café is also open for morning and afternoon teas.

We shared the Vineyard Platter. It serves two people and is reasonably priced at $40 – I’ve paid $55 for something similar in the Swan Valley. It was absolutely brimming with food! Everything was really fresh and tasty.

* Cheeses – Wattle Valley Brie and Old Cheddar Cheese Company Cheddar

* Meats – free range coppa and prosciutto

* Antipasti – Thai style olives, sun-dried tomatoes, homemade olive tapenade and sundried tomato and cashew pate, salad and fresh fruit too. It was served with a warm Lawley’s Bakery Cape Seed Cob Loaf – which was really fresh and tasty too.

Mum and I shared a dessert. We really shouldn’t have, but it sounded so tempting! The Figs are soaked in Hainault Ruby Port, which has a fruity, jam flavour and is served with vanilla ice-cream ($8). It tastes as lush as it sounds!

At the cellar door you’ll find Rose, Merlot, Cabernet, Semillon, Sparkling Pinot Noir Brut, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer to taste. My mum loved the dessert so much, she treated herself to a bottle of the 2012 Ruby Cabernet ($24).

Hainault is a charming little winery and a must stop on a tour of the Bickley Valley vineyards.