Great Southern Wine Region

This wine region in Western Australia is centred on the port city of Albany and faces the Southern Ocean.

It includes five officially recognised subregions, Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker and Porongurup.

Alternative grape varieties in the Great Southern Region

About the Region

This wine region stretches fro more than 200 Km along the Southern Ocean coast of Western Australia, and reaches up to 100 Km inland. Thus there is considerable variation in climate, soils and topography.  The classification of five subregions recognises this heterogeneity, but there are vineyards and wineries within the region which do not fall into any of the subregions.

Albany SubRegion

This region is situated around the historic whaling station and naval and military base of Albany. Albany is now a major tourism centre for the region and there are many accommodation options in Albany

The climate is cool enough for Pinot Noir which, along with other classic varieties, makes up the majority of the crush. There seems to be little interest in growing alternative varieties. Even Riesling, which would probably do well, is uncommon here.

Denmark Subregion

Castelli Wines Denmark

The town of Denmark, and the surrounding wine region is further to the west along the coast from Albany. 

The Denmark region is cool and wet by WA standards. Once again the wineries here seem wedded to classic varieties, the exception being West Cape Howe who use Viognier very well.

The well developed tourist infrastructure includes plenty of accommodation options in Denmark.

Wineries with alternative varieties in this region include:

• Castelli Estate Gewurztraminer, Malbec, Tempranillo, Vermentino
• Forest Hill Gewurztraminer, Malbec
• Harewood Estate Gewurztraminer, Tempranillo
• Matilda's Estate Chenin Blanc
• Moombaki Wines Cabernet Franc, Malbec
• Paul Nelson Wines Arneis, Gamay, Tempranillo
• SinglefileWines Malbec, Tempranillo
• Silverstream Wines Cabernet Franc
• West Cape Howe Wines Tempranillo
• Whitfield Estate Tempranillo
• Willoughby Park Chenin Blanc, Tempranillo

Frankland River Subregion

This is the most inland of the sub-regions in Great Southern, and the elevation of vineyards here is about 200-300m. The climate is cooler and more continental.

Frankland River is remote from any substantial towns and many of the vineyards supply grapes for use by companies with wineries based outside the region, for example Houghton's whose main operations are in the Swan Valley.

The Riesling produced here is among the best in Australia but again there seems to be little interest in alternative varieties.

Ferngrove Vineyards King Malbec is a consistent medal winner at the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show.

Alternative varietal wine producers in this region include:

• Alkoomi Malbec, Petit Verdot
• Ferngrove Vineyards Malbec
• Plan B Chenin Blanc, Sangiovese, Tempranillo

Pictures from WA WIneries

Mount Barker Subregion

This region is located far enough inland to have a climate approaching continental. It is also cool enough for varieties such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Muller Thurgau, along with the ubiquitous Shiraz, Cabernet and Chardonnay.

Tempranillo is a recent addition to the portfolio of grape varieties in this region. The climate suggests it should do well here and early results are promising

Wineries using alternative varieties in the Mount Barker Sub-region include

• Galafrey Mount Barker Muller Thurgau, Tempranillo
• Poachers Ridge Vineyards Mount Barker Malbec, Marsanne

Porongurup Subregion

Immediately to the east of Mt Barker this region has a similar climate but its distinctive topography sets Porongurup apart.  The Porongurup Range consists of a series of granite outcrops which 

The cool climate allows excellent Riesling to be made here but only a few wineries are using alternative varieties. 

Wineries using alternative varieties in the Porongurup Sub-region include

• Montefalco Vineyard Cabernet franc, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese
• Mount Trio Vineyard Tempranillo

Want to learn More About Australian Wine regions?

De Long's Wine Map of Australia

Click on the images above and right to find out more about these resources

James Halliday's Wine Atlas of Australia

This dozen contains 2 bottles from each of six different producers in several regions. The varieties included are Alicante Bouschet, Carmenere, Lagrein, Montepulciano and Sangiovese, plus a red blend from Heathcote containing Nero d’Avola, Sangiovese, Lagrein, Schioppettino & a little Lambrusco Maestro.

Details here