MUSCAT grapes have been used to make wine around the world for hundreds of years and helped lay the foundation for WA’s first wine growing region in the Swan Valley.
John Griffiths and Jane Micallef, who own and operate Faber Vineyard in the valley, are helping to keep the muscat tradition alive with their Swan Valley Liqueur Muscat.
They will celebrate the wine with their new Festival of the Grape at Faber Vineyard on Sunday, October 7 as part of Entwined in the Valley.
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READ NOWIt will include muscat barrel tastings of vintages from various years since the muscat vines were planted in 2000 and which each year the five to 10-year-old individual barrels are blended to create the finished complex liqueur.
Winemaker John Griffiths said the barrel tastings showed the incredible diversity in the different barrels from year to year that are blended to keep the character of the finished vintage consistent.
“It’s a real eye-opener for visitors to Faber to taste and smell the characteristics of the different barrels,” he said.
“If you love wine, if you are curious about wine, if you are even mildly interested in wine the Festival of the Grape will be an eye opener.
“And if you just love a great day out in the Swan Valley with a glass of wine in hand you’ll have a great time too.”
As well as the muscat barrel tastings there will be vineyard tours and masterclasses with John and his team.
A range of artisan food and wine will be on offer with live local music, a mystery wine competition and door prizes.
Tickets from www.ticketebo.com.au/festivalofthegrape cost $70 per person and include two bottles of Faber wine and a tasting glass to take home, as well as six vouchers for reserve wine tasting, masterclasses, a mystery wine competition, entry and food at the event.
Faber Vineyard is in Haddrill Road, Baskerville, and will be open from 11am to 5pm.