Windy Creek Estate: tours with Relish & Cheese
Hard work, dedication & family tradition = beautiful wines!
Another inspirational WA migrant success story, Windy Creek Estate has a history of hard work, dedication and family tradition. First established in 1937 by Anthony Cobanov, this ambitious youngster left Croatia as a mere teenager for the southwest of Australia in 1924. Upon his arrival, he spent a staggering 13 years cutting railway sleepers, saving for the deposit on his coveted Swan Valley property.
Boasting a magnificent 55 acres of vines, the fertile soils of this Swan Valley Estate were first used by Mr. Cobanov to grow grapes for dried fruit production. Additionally, he produced a small amount of wine on the side to distribute to the closely connected Perth migrant community. Although the family has been producing wines for over 70 years, it wasn’t until 1980 that the third generation family members started to commercially produce wines under the name of Windy Creek (formerly Cobanov Wines).
Today, winemaker Tony Cobanov and his wife Ruth use a sophisticated mix of modern and traditional production techniques to harvest and create a vast range of wines – all from fruit grown exclusively at Windy Creek. The family pride themselves in producing premium quality wines at affordable prices.
Capitalising on the estate’s fertile soils and the excellent fruits produced at Windy Creek, the family has also been growing and selling their fruit to other premium wineries for the past 25 years.
The Windy Creek Estate Tour
Situated in Herne Hill, in the shadows of the scenic and fertile Darling Range, Windy Creek Estate is a delightful stop on the Top Gun Wine Tour of the Swan Valley. Pretty as a picture, the vines are a vision to behold while the entire property has a wonderfully relaxing, homely feel, with no shortage of rustic charm.
Wine Tasting at Windy Creek
While visiting the grounds, you’ll be taken to the warm and friendly cellar door, situated in the cottage-style gardens of the family home. Here, you can taste some wonderful wines on offer. You can look forward to a wide variety of wines to choose from: Verdelho, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Merlot, Grenache and Port. And, of course, all wines are available for purchase.
There’s an impressive wine list to behold, with many award-winning wines on offer. In 2014 alone, 11 medals were awarded at the 2014 Singapore Airlines Swan Valley Wine Show. The Premium Classic Dry White won a silver medal; while the 2014 Chenin Blanc, 2014 Autumn Harvest, 2014 Autumn Gold and 2014 Verdelho all took home a bronze medal.
Cheeses, Relishes and More
Lovers of cheese will be happy to know that cheese tasting is included in the visit to Windy Creek Estate. The Borrello cheese, made locally from Oakford, is guaranteed to impress: choose from exquisite cheese with chilli, chives and garlic, or cracked black pepper. And while you’re in the mood for tasty treats, you can taste the Wicked Stepmother range of homemade relishes, pickles, marmalade and jams available to purchase exclusively from Windy Creek.
If you’re keen to experience our fantastic Swan Valley Wine Tour incorporating Windy Creek Estate, fill in the enquiry form to the right, or call (08) 9453 2961 to find out more.
Windy Creek in Herne Hill