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For further tourist information about the Grampians region of Victoria
For further information on the wine regions of the Yarra Valley in Victoria
The
Grampians
describes
the
viticultural
region
once
known
as
Great
Western.
The
first
vines
were
planted
in
the
1860s
and
the
little
town of
Great
Western
is
famous
as
the
birthplace
of
sparkling
wine.
The
three
major
wine
growing
areas
of
The
Grampians
are
Great
Western,
Ararat
and
Stawell.
Each
has
its
own
particular
characteristics
and
the
region
is
diverse
and
outstanding.
At
Best's
Great
Western
vineyards,
first
planted
in
1868
by
Henry
Best,
fine
red
and
white
table
wines
are
produced.
The
driveway
into
Seppelt
Great
Western
is
lined
by
massive
palm
trees.
Inside
the
winery
you
can
take
a
fascinating
guided
tour
through
the
three
kilometres
of
underground
galleries,
excavated
last
century
by
experienced
gold
miners.
Here,
up
to
two
million
bottles
of
champagne
can
be
stored,
slowly
maturing
in
the
cool
environment.
In
1988,
an
enterprising
group
of
former
Seppelt
employees
purchased
two
historic
vineyards
from
the
company.
The
Salinger
and
Chalambar
vineyards
now
produce
grapes
for
wine
under
the
label
Garden
Gully,
which
has
already
produced
some
award-winning
wines.
You
can
sample
their
labours
in
their
tasting
centre
which
was
constructed
to
reflect
the
origins
of
the
area.
Montara
Vineyards,
three
kilometres
south
of
Ararat,
spreads
over
the
slopes
of
the
relatively
frost
free
Mount
Chalambar.
The
winery
has
a
reputation
for
its
wines
and
the
tasting
rooms,
which
overlook
the
spectacular
Pyrenees
Mountains.
Just
five
minutes
from
Ararat
is
Cathcart
Ridge
Estate
which
is
set
in
the
hills
of
Cathcart
and
operates
wine
tastings
in
the
midst
of
a
working
winery.
On
the
eastern
slopes
of
Mount
Langi
Ghiran,
'home
of
the
yellow-tailed
black
cockatoo',
is
Mount
Langi
Ghiran
Winery.
In
the
Stawell
region
are
the
renowned
Donovan
and
Boroka
wineries.
Boroka
will
prepare
delicious
gourmet
picnic
baskets
for
those
planning
a
day's
indulgence
in
the
hills.
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