Unearth ancient stories and wine discoveries
The sun rises over misty mornings and sets against a dramatic backdrop of mountains and rock formations in Victoria’s Grampians wine region. Located a few hours north-west of Melbourne, and bound by the Grampians National Park and a mountain range, this is a striking region with a classic Australian landscape of rugged hills, golden hues and towering gums.
The natural attractions are virtually endless – from wildlife, waterfalls and wildflowers to walking trails and world-class rock climbing. And when the hiking boots are unlaced, there are award-winning wines to discover, including some of Australia’s best Shiraz. You’ll find them in wineries – large and boutique, old and new – spread across the region.
History is tangible in the Grampians wine region. There’s ancient rock art from Indigenous Australians, architecture from the mid-1800s gold rush, dusty wine cellars dug over 150 years ago, and spicy Shiraz from some of the world’s oldest vines. But there’s freshness and innovation too, and you’ll see it in the region’s diverse wines.
Grampians wine: elegance and power
At the heart of the Grampians is the Great Western subregion, and there you’ll find the region’s two oldest wineries, Best’s and Seppelt, established in the 1800s. Tour the old cellars at Best’s, and explore kilometres of underground tunnels at Seppelt, first dug in 1868 by ex-gold miners. It’s not surprising that the past inspires Seppelt’s chief winemaker Adam Carnaby, who’s forging his own path while showcasing decades of history in a bottle. Shiraz is the headline act.
“The taste of the Shiraz here [in the Grampians] is a unique thing,” says Adam. “It’s floral, it’s spicy, it’s quite different to Shiraz from some of the more well-known wine regions.”
Shiraz isn’t the only standout in the Grampians. There’s Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. With such a long history, the region is also home to tiny quantities of ancient and rare varieties. And look out for sparkling wines – the Grampians was a pioneer in Australian sparkling, especially the unique sparkling Shiraz.
A fresh perspective
Since the first grapevines were planted in the mid-1800s, the Grampians wine region has attracted some of Australia’s brightest talents in wine. At Mount Langi Ghiran, established in the 1960s, chief winemaker Adam Louder is reinterpreting Aussie Shiraz with his elegant wines. He grew up in the region, and returned after working in wineries around the world.
“I take a deep breath sometimes when I’m out in the vineyard and think about how spectacular it is,” says Adam. “I try and bring what’s around me into the wine, so the minerals, rocky edges, the flavours of the bush in a way.”
Adam also makes wine for his own label, SubRosa, which he runs with his partner, Nancy Panter, and which is quickly building a reputation for its exciting contemporary wines.
“I think the best thing about starting SubRosa was the fact that we moved to the Grampians,” says Nancy. “It’s filled with so much natural beauty and so many moments where you breathe in the country air and just count your blessings for living here.”
