Western Australia's Great Southern Wine Region

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 over 100 cellar doors offering a fantastic wine experience in this ever growing area. 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 3½ hours' drive, with all others within a further 30 minute drive.

Some larger wineries offer tours, by appointment, to allow visitors to see the whole process from the vine to the glass.

History

In 1955, Professor Harold Olmo, on leave from his post as Professor of Viticulture at the University of California, spent 8 months attached to the University of Western Australia studying protection of viticulture in the Swan Valley.

When he published his report in 1956, one of the recommendations put forward were that Mt Barker and the Frankland area of Western Australia showed growing promise for light traditional European style table wines.

These recommendations were endorsed and thus launched the region's viticultural beginnings with plantings in Mt Barker at Forest Hill farm in 1965, in conjunction  with the Department of Agriculture experimental vineyard.