Wine, beer and a big pig

The Swan Valley is the Western Australia's oldest wine region.  Its gnarled and twisted grapevines provide beautiful aromatic Verelho, delightful plummy Shiraz and smooth rich Cabernet.  There are also a number of breweries and restaurants in the region, making this a must-see destination for travellers.

We have been here for 2 days.  Yesterday we visited a honeymaker, 3 wineries, and a brewery, and let me assure you, that provides quite enough tastings for this little black duck! 
This morning we woke to howling winds and pouring rain, perfect to head back into the fray. Flocks of Corellas must think this weather is hilariously good fun - they seem to deliberately fly into the wind in massive flocks, as they squawk and holler and somersault and spin and perform other death-defying stunts.

We started our day with food.  Eldmars Breweries has a traditional German restaurant and we positively gorged ourselves on its fare.  We were welcomed warmly, found ourselves a bench to stand at (the entire restaurant was booked out but the adjoining bar has benches & stools).  Jase ordered the tasting tray of beer to get our mouths watering in time for a hearty lunch.

Jase ordered the house special - a large pork shank, pickled then slow roasted, wrapped in its own crackling, and served with potatoes, sauerkraut and mustard.  It was seriously like eating half a pig!  Every mouthful was savoured, and I'd have been extremely jealous of his choice, had I not decided on what my body was begging for after a day of wine: more beer, kransky, mashed potato and a heap of sauerkraut, plus mustard on the side and a gorgeous crisp salad.

More wineries, and also the chocolate factory (just help yourself to handfuls of choc-buds) and cheese tastings.  How good is the Swan Valley?????



Photos of day 1:

A little beer tasting to break up the visits to wineries

Our ride for the day.... yeah right!

Nope, not an insemination tool, but a wine pourer.  This delightful wine must be specifically asked for, and we were lucky enough to try it without paying the usual fee. (by the way, behind Jase is a wedding currently ceremony taking place...)

Photos of day 2:

To start the day, 6 beer tastings brought to our table.... bliss!

Jase orders the pork shank, pickled and slow roasted, covered in crackling.  Actually, did I say 'pork shank'?  It was more like half a pig!!!!!

Eve polishes off the greatest hangover food there is... bangers (well, Kranksys) and mash with sauerkraut, mustard and salad.