Wine Regions
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Skirting the south-west Australian coast for over 200 kilometres (125 miles) and pushing northwards back into the hinterland almost 100 kilometres (60 miles), this is a very large region even by Australian standards. It ranges from the coastal, maritime subregions of Albany and Denmark to the unequivocally inland and continental subregions of Mount Barker, Porongurup and Frankland River; from fat country to lean, with large areas untouched by vineyards. In these circumstances it is indeed surprising that there is such a degree of coherence in the wine styles being produced as to make generalizations possible. The potential of the region is vast; its sole physical limitation being that of water availability, the issue of salinity, and the distance from the manufacturing and marketing resources of the eastern states.
The subregions are Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker and Porongurup, all of which are now registered under Australia's Geographical Indications legislation.
As one moves north and inland from the strongly maritime climate of Denmark, the continental influence and hence temperature variability increases significantly, although there is a lesser increase in total heat summation. Elevation, aspect and site vary widely, but in general terms the climate of these northern areas is similar to that of Bordeaux and tends to be slightly warmer on the higher sites.
Though rainfall is greater and relative humidity increases in the south around Denmark, heat summation and sunshine hours do not change greatly; so careful site selection allows the production of virtually every wine style from Riesling to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon. The country here is dominated by the magnificent stands of the veteran hardwoods of the region--karri, marri, jarrah and other eucalypts of the family Myrtaceae.
Immense granite outcrops, the Porongurups, are visible for many kilometres and are a physical landmark of both massive size and beauty. Overall, the scale is splendidly large.
The predominant soils are similar to those of the Margaret River region; either lateritic gravelly sandy loams (marri country) or sandy loams deriving directly from granite and gneissic bedrocks. They are typically brown to grey brown in colour, with the percentage of clay varying from one location to another. Fertility is moderate, as are typical yields.
Wineries
Abbey Creek Vineyard, Alkoomi Wines, Castle Rock Estate, Chatsfield Wines, Due South, Duke’s Vineyard, Fernbrook Estate Wines, Ferngrove Vineyard, Forest Hill Vineyard, Frankland Estate, Galafrey, Garlands, Gilbert Wines, Goundrey Wines, Harewood Estate, Howard Park Denmark, Ironwood Estate, Jardee, Jindi Creek, Jingalla Wines, Karrivale Wines, Karriview Wines, The Lily Stirling Range, Lincoln & Gomm Wines, Mariners Rest Wines, Marribrook Wines, Matilda’s Meadow, Merrebee Estate, Millinup Estate, Montgomery’s Hill, Mount Trio Vineyard, Nelson Touch, Old Kent River, Oranje Tractor Wines, Pattersons Wines, Plantagenet Wines, Porongorup Winery, Somerset Hill Wines, Springviews Wine, three drops, Tingle-Wood Wines, Trevelen Farm Wines, Wadjekanup River Estate, West Cape Howe Wines, Wignalls Wines, Yilgarnia and Zarephath Wines.
If you would like to have your winery included in this list, please email awbc@awbc.com.au.
Wine Notes
Chardonnay
Elegant, tightly structured, grapefruit accented Chardonnay which ages well is produced in ever increasing quantities. Notwithstanding the shift in climate from south to north, the style is relatively consistent. Perhaps that of the south is a little finer and softer while that of the north is more powerful, but there is little to differentiate between the two.
Riesling
Riesling vies with Cabernet Sauvignon as the most important wine from the region. Its importance derives directly from the quality of the wine, which ranks with the best of the Clare and Eden Valleys of South Australia. Like the Riesling of those regions, it ages superbly, seldom reaching the peak of its development in less than 10 years. While tending to be crisp and lean in its youth, it does have intense flavour, typically in the citrus spectrum on an underlay of herbs. Alas, most is consumed too young and within 12 months or so of vintage.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon thrives across the length and breadth of the region, producing long-lived wines of deep colour, intense flavour and powerful structure. They are in every sense classic Cabernets with an austerity of flavour, and a briary toughness to the young wines, which not only demand patience but are richly rewarding of it.
Pinot Noir
Until recently Pinot Noir was regarded as the preserve of the southern area around Denmark and Albany, but some exciting wines have occasionally appeared from Mount Barker in slightly cooler years.
Shiraz
Demand has served to intensify the pressure on the limited quantities but exceptionally high quality Shiraz produced in this region. Great Southern Shiraz exhibit a compelling combination of liquorice, spice, pepper, black cherry and plum. Happily, almost all producers avoid the temptation of using too much American oak, allowing the spectacular fruit quality free rein to express itself.
Vital Statistics
As Great Southern is such a vast and important region of Western Australia, climate statistics for each of the five subregions are given.
| Cranbrook |
| Map Coordinates | 34° 18'S 117° 34'E |
| Altitude | 5 - 300 m (13 - 984 feet) |
| Albany Airport 1942-2003 |
| Map Coordinates | 34° 56'S 117° 48'E |
| Altitude | 68 m (223 feet) |
| Heat degree days, Oct-Apr | 1540 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted) |
| Sunshine hours, Oct -Apr | 1511 |
| Annual rainfall | 797 mm (31.4 inches) |
| Growing season rainfall | 282 mm (11.1 inches) |
| Mean January temperature | 19.25°C (66.5°F) |
| Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 3 pm | Average 59% |
| Harvest | Early Mar - End Apr |
| Denmark Research Station 1951-1984 |
| Altitude | 18 m (59 feet) |
| Heat degree days, Oct-Apr | 1484, (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted) |
| Sunshine hours, Oct-Apr | 1405 (Gladstones) |
| Annual rainfall | 1001 mm (39.5 inches) |
| Growing season rainfall | 347 mm (13.7 inches) |
| Mean January temperature | 19.4º C (67ºF) |
| Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 9 am | Average 75% |
| Harvest | Mar - May |
| Frankland River Vineyards 1975-2003 |
| Altitude | 230 m (755 feet) |
| Heat degree days, Oct-Apr | 1601 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted) |
| Sunshine hours | NA |
| Annual rainfall | 608 mm (23.9 inches) |
| Growing season rainfall | 200 mm (7.9 inches) |
| Mean January temperature | 20.65ºC (69ºF) |
| Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 3 pm | Average 47% |
| Harvest | Mar - May |
| Mount Barker 1886-2003 |
| Altitude | 300 m (984 feet) |
| Heat degree days, Oct-Apr | 1472 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted) |
| Sunshine hours, Oct-Apr | 1518 (Gladstones) |
| Annual rainfall | 736 mm (29 inches) |
| Growing season rainfall | 279 mm (11 inches) |
| Mean January temperature | 19.45ºC (67ºF) |
| Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 3 pm | Average 55% |
| Harvest | Mar - May |
| Porongurup (statistics estimated by Gladstones based on Mt Barker at a similar altitude but on a north-facing slope) |
| Heat degree days, Oct-Apr | 1441 (cut off at 19°C (66.2ºF) but not otherwise adjusted) |
| Sunshine Hours, Oct-Apr | 1518 |
| Annual rainfall | 748 mm (29.4 inches) |
| Growing season rainfall | 310 mm (12.2 inches) |
| Mean January temperature | 19ºC (66º2F) |
| Relative humidity, Oct-Apr | 54% |
| Harvest | Mar - May |