Regional Spotlight: The Grampians / Gariwerd

European settlers first sighted the area in 1836, when Surveyor General, Major Thomas Mitchell led an exploration down the Loddon River and into central-western Vic. Climbing to the top of Mt Duwil, the good Major - in a fit of Caledonian fervour (and completely forgetting that the locals might already have a perfectly good name for it) - proclaimed the region after the mountains of his Scottish homeland. (In fact, the Jardwardjali and Djab Wurrung people had been living in Gariwerd for more than 20,000 years: its sheer escarpments and sheltered gullies contain the greatest concentration of Aboriginal rock paintings in Victoria.)

1850s – 1860s

Back in the colony though, Major Tom’s glowing report of Australia Felix sparked a land rush that brought sheep graziers flocking (sorry, not sorry). A few years later, gold fever further swelled the population. To satisfy the needs of the burgeoning region, savvy entrepreneurs planted market gardens, orchards and… grapevines. A wine region was born.

Fast Forward

Though brands like Bests and Seppelt have been creating exceptional table wines since the days of the Gold Rush, the region only achieved Geographical Indicator (GI) status in 1997, (with Great Western anointed as a sub-region in 2007). 

Grampians’ winemaking is concentrated in a triangular region that runs roughly from Horsham in the north, to Henty in the deep south, and Ararat in the east. The climate is classed as Mediterranean – with cool to cold nights that result in long ripening periods. (That’s a good thing: it makes for lovely, complex aromatics.) And the granite-based soils are not especially fertile. Again – not a bad thing. When vines have to struggle for nutrients, they tend to put their energy into producing delicious little berries instead of big leafy canopies. Smart vines.

Wines

The Grampians is famous for classic, cool-climate wines, so expect spicy, peppery Shiraz; crisp and tangy Riesling; elegant Cabernet, and taut, delicate Chardonnay with zingy minerality. It’s Sparkling territory, so Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier get a guernsey too. And never forget our very own Nonpareil: Great Western’s gift to grown-ups everywhere (and WineDown’s secret vice) – the drop-dead-gorgeous, foaming crimson deliciousness that is Sparkling Shiraz. 

Ah, you fortunate Melbournians. Let the rest of the country scoff at your weather. You have the gorgeous Grampians on your doorstep – a mere two and a half hours (give or take a month or so) from home.