The Great Southern wine region is vast. It stretches to encompass coastal cliffs, national park forests and mountain ranges. It contains five subregions - Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker, Poronurup - each different to the other and procucing discernable wine styles.

There are approximately 2,480 hectares of vineyards.

Climate & Soil

Having broadly a Mediterranean climate, this varies from temperate coastal to inland areas with warmer days and cooler nights. Ocean-influenced subregions are Albany and Denmark. Inland areas are Mount Barker, Porongurup and Frankland River. Altitude ranges from 0-1,083 M. Overall, the average growing season rainfall is 251 mm and mean temperature is 20 C. Soils are generally brown to grey-brown sandy loams.

Top Grape Varieties

Riesling and Shiraz are Great Southern’s signature wines. Shiraz is typically elegant and light in the southerly regions, moving to more full bodied and generous complexity in the northerly areas. Cabernet Sauvignon, across the region, is generally age-worthy, with deep colour and intense flavour. Riesling is typically crisp (acidic) with intense citrus lime flavours, and will generally age for 10 years or more. Chardonnay is produced in the greatest diversity across the five subregions.