The Great Southern wine region of Western Australia is as exciting as it is diverse.
It provides the perfect environment for cool-climate sustainable viticulture, creating uniquely regional and distinctive wines.
Vineyards nestle between mixed farming operations and agro forestry, and are surrounded by pristine national parks.
There are around 48 cellar doors offering a fantastic wine experience.  Many are set amongst gardens with picnic area and barbeque facilities; others include restaurants offering morning and afternoon teas as well as lunches featuring superb regional produce.
 

Established over four decades ago, the region embraces the five sub-regions of Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mt Barker and Porongurup.  The closest to Perth are Frankland River and Mt Barker, being 3¼ hour drives, with all others within a further 30-minute drive.
Some of the larger wineries offer tours, by appointment, to allow visitors to see the whole winemaking process from the vine to the glass.

History:
In 1955, Professor Harold Olmo was in Western Australia studying problems of viticulture in the Swan Valley. He spent some eight months here whilst on leave from his post as Professor of Viticulture at the University of California. When he published his report in 1956, one of the recommendations put forward was that Mount Barker and the Frankland area of Western Australia showed great promise for making table wines in the light traditional European style. This recommendation was endorsed and so began the region's viticultural beginnings. This began with plantings in Mount Barker at Foresthill in 1965 and at the Department of Agriculture's experimental vineyard.
 

Cool Climate Wines:
Wines from our region are often referred to as cool climate wines and display fresher styles where fruit aroma is high due to the grapes becoming fully ripe in a period where there is a long and cool summer.

Albany

The city of Albany is the oldest European settlement in Western Australia.  It is the major centre of the region, with a population of 42,000.  In addition to its stunning scenery, the area is renowned for its production of the classic grape varieties.  The ideal humidity and moderating influence of a pristine ocean helps to produce superb examples of cool-climate varietals, including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  Six cellar doors offer tastings.

Denmark

Denmark is a town of great charm, with sweeping beaches and a formidable coastline leading to tall timbers with bird life and wildflowers.  Close by is the famous Tree Top Walk, offering a bird’s eye view of the tingle forest from 40 metres up.  Cellar doors are set amongst the great charms of the area’s natural attractions.  The gentle summer temperatures and higher winter rainfall are particularly suited to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Frankland River

Frankland River is the largest wine-producing sub-region of the Great Southern with over 1,600 hectares of vines and 3 cellar door outlets.  This exciting viticultural area is renowned for producing top quality Shiraz, Riesling and Cabernet.  It also boasts many award-winning wines of numerous varieties, a reflection of the diversity and quality of wines from the region.  The area is home to WA’s largest olive grove, also producing award winning oil and table olives.  Chalet accommodation is available.

Mount Barker

Located 360 km south of Perth, Mt Barker is the coolest viticulture region in the State.  With a history dating from 1965, it is one of the top three Riesling producing regions in Australia, and is highly regarded for the quality of its Shiraz.  It has also become recognised for the exceptional quality and value of wines produced from the full range of premium varieties.  Mount Barker hosts over 1000 hectares of vines, five wineries and 19 producers.

Porongurups

The Porongurup National Park is carpeted with wildflowers in the Spring.  There are hundreds of different varieties; many of them found nowhere else in the world.  The Porongurups are a physical landmark of massive size and beauty.  The elevated slopes and cool climate of Porongurup produce a range of high-quality wines, and the sub region enjoys a reputation for its outstanding Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Pinot Noir.

 With quality growers in the region there is no reason to miss out on some premium lines currently available.

WINERIES IN THE GREAT SOUTHERN