TERROIR PROFILE
Perth Hills
Lateritic gravel on the Darling Scarp
Perth Hills: small estates in the valleys above the city, Shiraz with altitude freshness.
Climate, site & wine
Lateritic gravel, loam and granite are poor and well drained and limit yields. Shiraz shows dark fruit and pepper, Cabernet Sauvignon firm structure.
Cool nights preserve the freshness of Chardonnay; the area holds about 35 mostly small wineries and has had its own Geographical Indication since 1999. The area spans the Shire of Mundaring and the Cities of Swan and Kalamunda; many larger wineries combine vineyards with restaurants.
TERROIR PROFILE · Western Australia
Perth Hills Lateritic gravel on the Darling Scarp
Perth Hills: small estates in the valleys above the city, Shiraz with altitude freshness.
SOILS
Gravel / Sandlight, approachable
Gravel and sand drain heavily — vines struggle for water, wines turn fine, light and elegant.
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
Graniteelegant, lightly spicy
Weathered granite produces elegant, slender wines with fine, lightly spicy profile.
CLIMATE · Mediterranean
The Perth Hills have warmer days and cooler nights than the neighbouring Swan Valley. The Darling Scarp forms the western boundary; bushfires are a recurring risk.
TOPOGRAPHY · moderate
The wineries lie in the Bickley Valley, Carmel and Kalamunda on the Darling Scarp and its hinterland east of Perth, at altitudes of roughly 200 to 400 metres.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Similar terroirs worldwide
Computed from fingerprint similarity
Margaret River
Western Australia
94% similar
- Sun (slightly): Perth Hills gets more sun → deeper colour, riper tannin (9 vs. 8).
- Dryness (slightly): Perth Hills is drier → more concentrated, denser, smaller berries (8 vs. 7).
Peel
Western Australia
92% similar
- Sun (slightly): Perth Hills gets more sun → deeper colour, riper tannin (9 vs. 8).
- Dryness (slightly): Perth Hills is drier → more concentrated, denser, smaller berries (8 vs. 7).
Wineries on this terroir
See all 4 →This terroir's soils in the glossary