Mandoon Estate
Star Cellar Door
(08) 6279 0500
mandoonestate.com.au
The crowds are still flocking to Mandoon Estate to taste the wines, picnic on the immaculately finished lawns in their extensive grounds or to enjoy a casual, reasonably priced meal in the brewery cafe. The fine-dining restaurant is the place to go to relax and enjoy the Mandoon wines alongside Michael Hartnell’s stylish food. The 13.2-hectare property (and its neighbour, Sandalford) was part of the original block allocated to the state’s first surveyor-general, John Septimus Roe, in 1829. The original homestead now houses the Linton & Kay Galleries, showcasing a selection of Australian and international fine art. The property was purchased by the Erceg family in 2008 and has quickly become one of the Swan Valley’s favourite locations.
The wines, too, have become incredibly popular because they represent great quality at fair prices. Winemaker Ryan Sudano has sourced fruit from Frankland River, Margaret River and the Swan Valley and crafted an amazingly successful selection of trophy and gold medal-winning wines. Limited availability has restricted sales to Western Australia so they have not yet gained the national reputation that their quality warrants. PETER FORRESTAL
OUTSTANDING WINE: 2012 Mandoon Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, A$79