Grampians is a historic wine region in western Victoria, located on the eastern side of the craggy Grampians mountain range. The cool, granite-based terroir here has been home to viticulture since the gold rush of the 1860s, and nowadays the region is most notable for its spicy, savory red wines based on Shiraz, as well as its sparkling wines.
The region lies some 125 miles (200km) west of the state capital, Melbourne, and is one of Victoria's westernmost GIs (Geographical Indicators). It was afforded this title in 1997, although its single sub-region, Great Western, was not confirmed as a GI until 2007. This sub-region is arguably the viticultural center of the Grampians; it is here that some of Australia's most historically significant vineyards are planted, and the Seppelt and Best's wineries have been operating here since the 1860s. Great Western is also the home of a quintessentially Australian wine style: Sparkling Shiraz.
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This part of the Western Victoria zone is known for the crisp, fresh wine styles which distinguish it from the more powerful, less refined styles of its northern counterparts in the Murray Darling and Riverland. Along with the likes of the King Valley and Alpine Valleys regions in the east of Victoria , the Grampians has a slightly wetter, cooler climate than the state average, particularly around its hillsides.
The climate here is fed largely by elevation. On the east-facing slopes, vineyards receive warm sunshine during the day and much cooler temperatures at night time, which helps slow ripening and ensures that grapes retain their acidity. This elevation also removes the vines from the danger of frost damage, as the slope means that cool air cannot pool in the vineyards.
Sandy, loamy soils based on granite have also been a particular feature of the region's terroir. These are free-draining, but still hold enough water to keep vines hydrated throughout the dry growing season. The small amount of stress that these soils bring make for a harder-working vine that will produce concentrated, high-quality grapes, making intensely flavored wines.
While Shiraz is by far the most important variety in the Grampians, several other varieties can be found in the vineyards here. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are used here in the production of sparkling wines, while Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Pinot Gris are among the top still wines. Oddly enough, Ondenc, an obscurity once used in the sparkling wines of Gaillac in southern France, is also planted in the Grampians – albeit in tiny quantities.
