Made and Grown

There’s no need to travel to the ends of the earth for farm-fresh, artisan produce – the Swan Valley has you covered.

By MONIQUE CECCATO

THERE’S NOT MUCH that the producers and makers of the Swan Valley can’t do. They’re growers of plump, seedless grapes and juicy melons; bakers of chewy loaves of sourdough; and artisan craftsmen and women. Most importantly, they’re proud advocates of the Valley, showcasing just what the region is capable of through their world-class product.

Whether it’s fresh produce you’re after or an indulgent sweet treat, these are the makers and growers you need to know in the region.

Fresh Produce

It’s an iconic Swan Valley view; row after row of vines, punctuated by quaint cellar doors and busy farm stalls. Did you know that of all the vines you see in the Valley, a great proportion are table grapes, not wine grapes? Despite their abundance, grapes are not the only crops grown in the region. Grapes, melons, pomegranates, tomatoes, sweet corn, figs, mangos, and avocados; the fertile soils bear it all, plus more. Visit the Valley in the heat of spring or summer and the farm stands and stores are in full swing.

At one end of West Swan Road, there’s Keller’s Farm and at the other, The Swan Valley Sisters Produce Cafe. The shelves at both are bursting with fresh produce that’s harvested daily. Even eggs and freshly squeezed orange juice appear on the shelves, provided the farm hens are laying, and the orange trees are fruiting.

If it’s the Valley’s signature sweet, juicy table grapes you’re craving, Kato’s 3000 Grapes is your go-to. Marlene and Matt ‘Kato’ Katich grow all sorts of produce on their property, but it’s the 15 different varieties of seedless grapes they grow that they’ve garnered quite the reputation for. The bunches ripen throughout the warmer months and can be purchased from the farm gate from January through March.

Sweet Treats

Grapes aren’t the only thing Kato’s is known for. People come from far and wide to wrap their tastebuds around Marlene’s famed homemade fruit ice creams. The indulgent treats started as a fun little side hustle for Marlene but quickly grew to be the co-star of the Kato’s show.

Made fresh to meet demand, the ice creams on display change regularly. There’s no certainty on what flavours you’ll be greeted with on arrival. But Marlene has been known to experiment with fun flavours such as white chocolate and beetroot, mango and dragonfruit, and strawberry and blueberry with white and dark chocolate chips.

Marlene Katich at Kato’s 3000 Grapes

If it’s the mention of chocolate that has you particularly excited, stopping by Whistler’s Chocolate Company is a must. For almost 50 years, the family-owned chocolate outpost has perfected the art of chocolate making. They’ve dabbled in all sorts of chocolate treats, from the humble bar of plain milk chocolate to milk and white rocky roads, crunchy brittles, and chocolate-coated pretzels.

Visit the showroom to sample some of their best-sellers and marvel at the impressive chocolate sculptures on display, before cleansing your palate of all the cocoa with a coffee from the on-site cafe.

Just two minutes up the road is another of the Valley’s favourite confectionery makers.

The late Alfonso Romeo, founder of Mondo Nougat, brought the traditions and flavours of his hometown, Taurianova, Italy, to Perth in 1989. After opening wildly successful venues in Midland and Morley, Alfonso and his three sons – Andrea, Simone, and Marco – moved their operations to the Swan Valley in 2005.

From their factory off Great Northern Highway, the Romeo sons continue to create kilo after kilo of sticky, sweet nougat made from the highest quality local produce. There’s even a dedicated viewing area where you can watch the masters in action. Marco also makes a fine coffee to go with the decadent Italian cakes, available daily, dine-in or takeaway.

Pantry Staples

Make a trip out to The House of Honey and Sticky Spoon Cafe, and you can sample expressions of nature’s own sticky, oozy sweetener.

FRUITS OF THE VALLEY

Stock up on fresh, healthy, and tasty local produce at Kato’s 3000 Grapes, Swan Valley Sisters, Keller’s Farm, Mondo Nougat, The House of Honey, Morish Nuts and Whistler’s Chocolate Company.

Founded by the husband and wife team, Rupert and Kim Phillips, the combined apiary, meadery, and cafe is dedicated to showcasing the unique flavours and properties of honey coming out of the Swan Valley region. There are jars of honey collected from bees that have taken a trip to local bottlebrush and jarrah trees; as well as chai, chilli, and other infused options.

The House of Honey’s liquid gold is best enjoyed slathered on a thick slice of freshly baked sourdough or drizzled over the top of some homemade gluten-free muesli from Keller’s Farm.

Marija and Philipp Keller sell farm-fresh produce from their farm store, but they also run a wood-fired oven and bake loaves of bread every weekend. The husband and wife team lovingly shape everything from traditional sourdough loaves and crunchy sourdough baguettes, to soft Swiss zopfs and pizza bases.

Archie Moroni

Less than 10-minutes away from the Keller’s Farm, you’ll find the ‘principal nut’, Archie Moroni, enveloped in his natural habitat at Morish Nuts. He’s been at the helm of the business for the past 25 years, where he roasts, coats, and packages a broad range of sweet, savoury and spicy nut mixes.

Moroni sources his nuts from commercial farms around Australia – with the macadamias coming from farms right here in Western Australia – before giving them the royal Moroni treatment. Though roasted and coated nuts aren’t the only treats available, there’s popcorn, brittles, and a small range of nougats to indulge in, too.

Visit swanvalley.com.au for more information about these producers and the trails they feature on.