What Did a Wine Tour Look Like in the 1980s? Then vs Now (Sideways Tours, Perth)
From Dirt Roads to Dream Days: Wine Touring, Then and Now
Wine tours have transformed dramatically over the last few decades. In the 1980s, a wine day out was spontaneous and homespun more farm boots than fine dining. In the 2020s, it’s a curated experience: comfortable transport, reserved tastings, and memorable food and storytelling.
Sideways Tours blends the best of both worlds in Swan Valley and the Bickley Valley near Perth: the warmth and authenticity of meeting real wine people, delivered with modern comfort, education, and a premium feel.
The 1980s Rustic, Real, and Relational
Back then, a wine tour near Perth was usually self-drive with a folded map and a list of cellar doors someone scribbled down. You’d roll up unannounced and hope the winemaker was around. If they were, you might taste straight from a barrel or an open bottle while chatting about the season’s rain, a new trellis, or a stubborn ferment.
- Cellar doors: Often a table in a shed, a garage, or the family kitchen.
- Tastings: Free and casual, no flights, no booking windows.
- Food: Rarely offered beyond a cracker or two.
- Hosts: The winemaker or their family multi-generational stories, hands still stained with Cabernet.
- Purpose: Meet the maker, buy a few bottles direct from the farm, and feel part of the story.
It was authentic and disarmingly human. You left with wine and with a memory of the people behind it.
The 2020s Curated, Comfortable, and Connected
Today’s Perth wine tours are designed for ease and depth. Chauffeured vans or elegant SUVs collect you from your door. Tastings are pre-booked with time windows and tiered flights. Many venues offer vertical tastings, guided vineyard walks, and long lunches with sommelier pairings.
- Cellar doors: Architectural spaces with sweeping views and polished service.
- Tastings: Structured, often with a fee that includes curated flights and glassware.
- Food: From cheese boards to full restaurant-quality menus and seasonal local produce.
- Hosts: Trained staff and sommeliers skilled in storytelling, provenance, and pairing.
- Tech: QR codes, digital tasting notes, and Instagram-ready settings.
- Purpose: A day of experience, education, and escape with photos you’ll actually want to share.
Then vs Now At a Glance
- Transport:
1980s – Self-drive; Today Chauffeured vans & private drivers - Tastings:
1980s – Free, informal; Today Booked flights, structured & guided - Atmosphere:
1980s – Family farms; Today Boutique, stylish, story-driven - Food:
1980s – Rare; Today Cheese boards, long lunches, fine dining - Hosts:
1980s – Winemaker/family; Today Trained teams & sommeliers - Purpose:
1980s – Meet the maker, buy direct; Today Learn, savour & celebrate
How Sideways Tours Brings the Two Eras Together
At Sideways Tours (Perth), we honour the soul of the 1980s meeting genuine wine people and understanding place while delivering the comfort and clarity travellers expect today.
Why guests choose Sideways Tours:
- Private & small-group tours (2–10 guests) in a discreet, air-conditioned van.
- Swan Valley and Bickley Valley routes designed for premium tastings without crowds.
- Pre-booked, paced itineraries so you’re never rushed but always welcome.
- Nose Education / “Wine & Aroma” modules that level up your tasting skills.
- Optional gourmet lunch stops at venues known for seasonal WA produce.
- Corporate & hosted experiences with tailored storytelling (no lectures, just the good bits).
- Photography-friendly stops and guidance (you’ll capture the day without missing the moment).
Two signature styles to match your mood:
- Private Driver Elegant & Flexible
Perfect when you want freedom: we handle the bookings and safe driving; you set the vibe. - Guided Storyteller Educational & Immersive
Add our Nose Education segment to explore aroma families, grape signatures, and vintage effects engaging, hands-on, and fun.
Sample Day with Sideways Tours (Swan Valley)
- 9:30 Pick-up (Perth metro). A quick brief so the day flows smoothly.
- 10:15 Premium tasting at a boutique producer terroir, vintage, and variety basics.
- 11:30 Nose Education mini-workshop: aroma wheels, faults vs. features, tasting like a pro.
- 12:30 Gourmet lunch (own expense if preferred) at a winery restaurant time to slow down.
- 14:15 Second tasting compare styles, learn about oak, acidity, tannin.
- 15:30 Optional third stop dessert wine, sparkling, or a vineyard walk when available.
- 16:45 Return to Perth, relaxed and ready to plan the next visit.
(We also run Bickley Valley routes for orchard views, cooler-climate styles, and quieter cellar doors.)
FAQs
Is a Swan Valley wine tour worth it?
Yes—close to Perth, diverse styles, and welcoming cellar doors make Swan Valley ideal for first-timers and aficionados alike.
Do you offer private wine tours from Perth?
Yes. Private driver or guided storyteller formats for 2–10 guests.
Can you customise for corporate groups?
Absolutely client entertainment, team off-sites, and leadership retreats with Nose Education modules.
Are tastings and lunch included?
We can bundle inclusions, or you can pay as you go we’ll advise on the best value.
Ready to experience the heart of the 1980s with the comfort of today?
Book your Sideways Tour—private, small-group, or corporate across Swan Valley and Bickley Valley. Learn, taste, and unwind the way wine days were meant to be.