John Griffiths and Jane Micallef have had a 20-year love affair with the Swan Valley.
In 1997 they borrowed everything to establish their Faber Vineyard.
It's been hard work ever since for the husband-and-wife team, but they have grown to love the region and have made lasting contributions to its legacy.
When he and Jane started out they hadn't been able to afford to build on the property, but invested heart and soul into Faber to become leaders in the Valley's wine industry.
"Energy and winemaking skill have been the two most important elements in our success," John said.
A highly-respected winemaker at Houghton Wines beforehand, John and Jane took a huge gamble on the Swan Valley at a time when the region's wines were not as well regarded.
"But I'd worked in other hot areas and I had no doubt that quality wine could be made here," he said.
The winemaking was a bit old fashioned in the Valley at the time, with hot sheds and old equipment, but the 1990s saw modernisation and an explosion of new wineries.
Grape varieties like chenin blanc, verdhello, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon that were already well established in the Swan Valley were given a new lease of life.
For John, it's the character and history of the Swan Valley that inspire him.
"I love there are all these winemakers who have been here many years, and often their father and grandfather before them, and I love the history and culture," he said.
John and Jane bought the property in May 1997. The first vines were planted in spring of 1998 and the first shiraz grapes harvested in February 2000. That 2000 Shiraz was released in January 2001 and quickly sold out.
The winery was built in time for the 2005 vintage and cellar door sales were opened in 2008. The barrel hall was built in 2010. The last of their land was planted to vines in 2016 and 2017 providing 11 acres in total.
Faber Vineyard has allowed John to realise his ambition to be a successful winemaker, being able to consistently make high quality wines that wine lovers enjoy again and again.
"It is a great joy to be involved in every aspect of the winemaking process, from selecting the land and planting our vines, designing and constructing and equipping our winery, making each year's wines, developing our brand, meeting wine lovers and selling our wines," he said.
"We have developed a successful business that is our home and sustains our family."
Faber specialises in three grape varieties that are recognised for their critical contribution to the Swan Valley's wine history - verdelho, shiraz and muscat.
Faber celebrates its 20th birthday with a special food and wine tasting event this Sunday and Monday long weekend.
Tickets are $65, which include two bottles of Faber wines and tasting vouchers, and are available here.
Winestein Uncorked : Faber Vineyards
2015 Faber The Scarp
$16.50, 13.3%, 91pts
A blend of Swan Valley's perennial white walkers - verdelho, chenin blanc and semillon. Tight, taut but with an undercurrent of fleshy, juicy, citrus-inspired fruit... packs a punch now and will reveal itself even more with hearty grilled seafood.
???2017 Faber Swan Valley Verdelho
$19.50, 13.5%, 93pts
Softer than the Scarp but with more focus and frivolity on the palate, with pear, lime tart, green apple and lemon nuances levitating the punch on this Swan Valley stalwart. The line down the palate is alive and complex, and will age as such...
2015 Faber Swan Valley Riche Shiraz
$22.50, 14.5%, 94pts
Pretty seductive nose; dark, dark, dark chocolate battling brooding berry flavours that carry a dried, raisiny edge. The palate plays it straighter - layers of dark soft fruit blended perfectly with tannins that fit like a Michael Jackson glove.
