What could be a better way of finishing our fantastic Swan Valley Wine Tour than to visit the award-winning Margaret River Chocolate Company? In operation since 1999, the Margaret River Chocolate Company is immensely popular with tourists and locals alike. It boasts amazing premises in both Margaret River and the Swan Valley, each with a factory, cafe and showroom. Plus, in Perth City there’s an exciting new concept store.
Margaret River Chocolate Company is a feast for all the senses! Expect fantastic interactive visual displays, free chocolate tastings and viewing windows where you can witness the amazing chocolate factory in action. With the factory on-site, The Margaret River Chocolate Company makes and sells its chocolates and chocolate related products, including exquisite chocolate bars, handmade truffles, chocolate coated treats, chocolate sauces and novelty chocolates. Also available are iconic cooking books, gift hampers, merchandise, and even chocolate body products.
While at the Margaret River Chocolate Company, take the time to visit the cafe, where you can experience a fantastic selection of chocolate fondues, cakes, desserts, coffees and, what’s touted as “The best hot chocolate in Western Australia”!
After a day at the vineyards, it’s only natural that you should extend your new-found wine tasting skills one step further to learn the delightful art of chocolate tasting! As with wine tasting, it’s easy to distinguish good quality from bad by using all your senses – not just taste but smell, sight, touch – and even sound!
Good quality chocolate should have a rich depth of colour with an attractive sheen and distinguishable gloss. The texture of the chocolate should be smooth and begin to melt within one minute of holding the chocolate. The sound is also important, with good chocolate making an audible ‘snap’ like the twig of a tree. Lighter chocolate makes a softer sound while darker chocolate has a crisper sound. If you close your eyes, the aroma of the chocolate should be clearly present, with just a tiny touch of natural vanilla undertones. And finally, to taste the chocolate, put a small piece of chocolate on your tongue. As it melts, feel the texture, while identifying the flavours that emerge.
Cocoa beans are the vital ingredient in all chocolate. They are harvested twice a year from parts of Africa, South America and Asia. The raw product of cocoa beans also includes cocoa butter, cocoa powder and cocoa mass. Sugar and milk powder are then combined to create the delectable product that is chocolate.
There are three main types of chocolate:
Like to experience the Margaret River Chocolate Company? Contact us today by filling out the enquiry form or calling (08) 9453 2961 to find out more.
"I just wanted to say thanks for doing everything possible to give us a great experience during our beer tour on 30th Dec. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would like to commend you on your service and professionalism. You made the brewery tour one to remember, we won't hesitate in recommending you to our friends and we'll definitely book another tour with you sometime in the future."
"Matt is a true gentleman. He works hard to make his tours the best. You're looked after 100% and feel very relaxed from start to finish! If you love boutique beers and a great friendly hospitality Top Gun Tours won't disappoint :-) thank you"
"Thanks for the awesome brewery tour Matt! Everything went so well and it was great to just relax and know that the day was in good hands. Thanks so much, everyone had a ball!!"
"Awesome tour once again (my 3rd time now, it's that good). Matt is a legend, can't speak highly enough of him (even though he wore his Hawthorn jersey all day after the grand final). If you're looking for a fun day out, get onto the liquid gold brewery tour. Looking forward to the next trip with Top Gun in the future!"
"This tour really was 'Top Gun'. Premier venues, tastings, lunch and coach travel with added fizz from Matt. We have been on wine trips around the world - California, France and Spain in particular - and this trip was up there with the very best. Close to Perth, short distance between wineries so more tastings and less travel time. Would recommend a visit to the Swan Valley. Many thanks again Matt for a fantastic day."
