Wine learning starts with one good sip. This 1.5-hour Wine 101 class at Upper Reach is a hands-on introduction to Australian wine, taught in a working winery setting along the Swan River. I love how it focuses on real wine tasting etiquette, not just drinking for fun, and I love that you taste a mix of reds and whites with clear, step-by-step guidance.

One thing to think about first: the class includes tastings, but if you add the optional lunch, any wine you order with your meal is paid separately. So it can stay a straightforward wine lesson, or turn into more of a full-on lunch hangout—your call.

With a small group size (up to 15) and a start time of 10:30am from 77 Memorial Ave in Baskerville, it’s easy to plan around. Plus, it’s set up for beginners and experienced wine lovers alike.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• A real winery setting: You learn in the working parts of Upper Reach, not a classroom.
• Tasting etiquette, explained simply: You’ll practice how to taste with intention and confidence.
• Red + white samples: You get a balanced feel for different wine styles.
• Hands-on winemaking basics: You create a wine by balancing sweetness and acid.
• Oak and aging, made practical: You compare oak-barrel effects and talk best-drink timing.

Upper Reach Winery: Swan River views and a working cellar

Upper Reach Winery sits along the banks of Perth’s Swan River, and that matters more than it sounds. You’re not just standing at a scenic viewpoint while someone talks at you. You’re moving through the winery experience, including the working areas with barrels—so the lesson connects to how the wine is actually made.

The class is built around a formal, seated tasting, which helps you slow down and taste with structure. That’s a big deal if you’ve ever felt lost at tastings where everyone else seems to know what they’re doing. Here, the format supports you: you’re guided through what to look for, what to smell for, and how to put it into words.

Also, your group stays small (maximum 15). That size is ideal. You get space for questions, and the guide can actually respond without the whole experience turning into a lecture.

Wine 101 class flow: etiquette, guided tastings, and Q&A

The heart of Wine 101 is learning how to taste like a pro. Not in the fancy-sounding way—more like you’re learning a method you can reuse next time you’re buying wine or visiting a cellar door.

Expect the session to walk you through:

• How to taste step-by-step (sight, smell, and palate)
• How to identify style differences without needing a wine degree
• Wine tasting etiquette, so you know what to do and how to respond at tastings

The experience is designed to be relaxed. From the tone described in past participants’ feedback, the vibe is friendly and easygoing, with a guide who can mix clear instruction with humor. That kind of energy matters because wine can feel intimidating—until someone makes it feel approachable.

In plain terms, by the end of the class, you should feel more confident about what you like. That’s the goal: fewer guesses, better choices, and fewer bottles that turn out to be a surprise in the wrong direction.

Where the tasting happens

The tasting takes place as a formal seated experience in the working winery, surrounded by barrels. That setting adds a practical layer to the lesson. When you’re tasting, you’re also physically close to where the process happens, so the information sticks better.

Be the winemaker: balancing sweetness, acid, and oak-barrel effects

This isn’t just a talk with a few sips. You get a more hands-on segment where you effectively get to think like a winemaker.

One standout part is the sweetness vs acid balancing exercise. The point is simple: the way those elements work together shapes how a wine tastes—how it feels on your palate, whether it reads as crisp or soft, and why two wines that both look similar can taste totally different.

Then comes oak. Oak barrels can change a wine in noticeable ways, and this class is set up to help you appreciate what that means. You’ll experience how oak affects the wine by comparing what you’re tasting and connecting it back to the winemaking process.

If you’ve ever asked questions like why one Chardonnay tastes buttery while another tastes leaner, or why some reds feel more structured, this is the kind of section that turns those questions into answers you can remember.

Comparing tank samples and bottled wine: why it matters

A nice extra (based on what people have described about the day) is getting a look at the working side of the winery. You may move into areas where the wine is still developing in tanks, and then compare those samples with the bottled version.

Why is that valuable? Because it makes the changes feel real. Instead of treating bottled wine as the only version that exists, you see that wine evolves through the process. It’s the same reason craft food learning is more satisfying when you see the kitchen gear and the prep steps.

You also may get a short walk through the vineyard area with a glass in hand, which helps tie the setting to the story. It’s a good reminder that wine isn’t abstract. It starts outside.

Wine aging, explained so you can actually use it

Wine aging can be one of the most confusing topics for visitors. People hear things like drink it now, cellar it for years, or that red wine improves for decades—and then no one explains what that really means.

In this class, you get the basics of how wines age and when they’re best to drink. The useful part here is that you’re not just collecting trivia. You’re learning a framework for deciding what to do with a bottle when you get home.

Even if you’re not planning to cellar wine long-term, this type of lesson helps you:

• understand why a wine might feel different years later
• pick more realistic purchase expectations
• avoid treating aging advice like a gamble

Optional 2-course lunch: good value, but budget for lunch wine

You can upgrade your ticket to include a delicious 2-course lunch at the winery’s restaurant, with views over the vineyards. If you want the experience to feel like a full half-day plan (rather than a quick tasting session), this option is the obvious add-on.

Here’s the practical part: lunch includes the meal, but any wine you order during lunch is charged separately. So if you want to keep costs predictable, consider sticking to non-alcohol options with lunch, or just plan for a little extra if you want to pair a bottle with your meal.

Also, since the class includes wine tastings, the lunch option is best thought of as adding a meal setting and a longer hangout—not as automatically doubling your wine budget.

Price and Logistics: how $68.14 fits a quality wine class

At $68.14 per person for Wine 101, you’re paying for three core things: the guide, GST, and the included wine tasting. The session runs about 1 hour 30 minutes, which makes it a compact way to learn without spending half a day on transport between multiple stops.

Value-wise, the best part is that the instruction is tied to tasting. You’re not just paying to drink a few pours. You’re paying to learn how to taste and how to talk about wine, which changes what you do afterward—at bottle shops, restaurants, and future tastings.

A few logistics notes that help you plan smoothly:

• Start time is 10:30am
• The meeting point is 77 Memorial Ave, Baskerville WA 6056
• The tour ends back at the meeting point
• You’ll receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
• Minimum age is 18+
• It runs with a maximum group size of 15
• Tickets are mobile

One more thing: this experience is specifically a winery education class at Upper Reach. Don’t count on it being a full Swan Valley driver-style tour with extra stops and bookings. If you want winery-to-winery travel, you’ll need a separate plan for that.

Who should book Wine 101 (and who might want something else)

I think this class is a strong match if you:

• want a beginner-friendly introduction to Australian wine
• feel awkward at tastings and want the method first
• enjoy learning, but don’t want it to feel formal or stuffy
• plan to buy wine later and want better instincts
• like the idea of tasting in a working winery among barrels

It may not be the best fit if you:

• only care about drinking more than learning
• want a private, customized experience (this is capped at 15)
• are looking for transport or a multi-winery day package

Practical tips for your day at Upper Reach

Wine classes go best when you show up ready to taste, not just observe.

A few practical pointers:

• Eat something beforehand if you can, especially if you’re adding lunch. Your palate will thank you.
• Take notes during the tasting. Even a few short words like crisp, oaky, or fruity make the lesson stick.
• Ask questions early. With a small group, you can get answers while the tasting is fresh in your mind.
• If you’re nervous about tasting etiquette, this is the moment to relax. The whole class is built to teach you how to do it.

Also, since the experience is for 18+ and includes alcohol tasting, you’ll want to plan your return transport accordingly after the class.

Should you book Wine 101 at Upper Reach?

Yes, if you want a friendly, structured way to learn how to taste and understand Australian wines without getting lost in jargon. The small group size, the working winery setting with barrels, and the hands-on winemaking basics (sweetness vs acid, plus oak and aging) make this more than a casual tasting.

I’d book it particularly if you’re the type who wants better wine choices at home. This course doesn’t just give you impressions. It teaches you a method—so you can recreate the thinking next time you’re standing in front of a shelf and trying to decide.

If you’re mainly looking for a party-style wine crawl with lots of stops, this won’t be that. But if you want clarity, better taste, and a fun morning in a real winery environment, Wine 101 is a solid pick.

FAQ

How long is the Wine 101 class?

The experience lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes GST, wine tasting, and a professional guide.

Is the 2-course lunch included?

Lunch is an optional upgrade. If you choose it, the 2-course meal is included, but any wine ordered during lunch is charged separately.

What time does the class start, and where do I meet?

The start time is 10:30am. Meeting is at 77 Memorial Ave, Baskerville WA 6056, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Do I need to be a wine expert?

No. The class is suitable for all levels, from everyday wine lovers to experienced wine enthusiasts.

What will I taste during the class?

You’ll sample a selection of different wines, including both red and white wines.

What is the minimum age requirement?

The minimum age is 18 years.

What if I need to cancel?

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

How big is the group?

There’s a maximum of 15 travelers.

If you want, tell me your travel dates and whether you’re considering the lunch upgrade, and I’ll help you think through the best timing for a smooth day around Swan River wineries.

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