What to do in regional Victoria: visit Great Western

Keen for a relaxing get away and some indulgence not too far from home?  Pack up the car and head to Great Western, the wine and food village of the Grampians. This picturesque township is located on the Western Highway between Melbourne and Adelaide. First settled in the 1840s by sheep graziers, Great Western rapidly developed through the discovery of gold and then the planting of grapevines. Today, it remains the focal point of one of Australia’s internationally renowned wine-growing regions and one of Australia’s most awarded wine villages with a plethora of Cellar Doors within close proximity offering wine tastings. A variety of delicious food and coffee options are also available in Great Western from Salinger’s cafe, Seppelt Winery, Best’s Wines, Miners Ridge, Grampians Estate and the Great Western Hotel.

Situated just 30km from the tourist mecca of the Grampians National Park and Halls Gap – known for its incredible natural beauty and a popular destination for walkers, hikers and bike riders, 13km from Stawell – home of Australia’s richest footrace, The Stawell Gift and 17km from Ararat tourist attractions, J Ward Museum, Aradale Asylum and Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre, Great Western is an ideal place to explore whilst visiting the Wimmera. Take a look at what we have to offer here in Great Western:

Seppelt Wines

WINE TASTING AND SALES. FOOD, COFFEE, GIFT SHOP AND HISTORICAL WINERY/CELLAR TOURS
A visit to the Grampians is not complete without a trip to the region’s original winemaking pioneers at Seppelt Great Western. Experience the beauty of country Victoria at the historic cellar door whilst you enjoy tasting our exceptional range of wines, indulge in some of the delicious food options available from our ‘The Drives Cafe’ with a glass of your favourite Seppelt tipple or a coffee, browse our gift shop, Mr Joseph or purchase wine. Perhaps you would like to take a step back in time and learn the impressive history of the winery dating back to 1865 and see our heritage-listed, rustic cellars, The Drives – first excavated in 1868 and the longest in the southern hemisphere-if so, be sure to book your place on one of our guided tours.

Cellar Door and gift shop are open every day from 10am – 5pm. The Drives Cafe Open Saturday and Sunday 12-4pm. Tours into the Seppelt Historic underground cellars run daily, from the Seppelt Cellar Door at 11am, 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm. Tour cost is $15 for an adult, $10 for concession and free for children. Bookings are preferred for tastings and tours, via Rezdy or call the Cellar Door 53612239.

VISIT SEPPELT GREAT WESTERN WEBSITE

Best’s Wines

WINE TASTING AND SALES
Founded in 1866 in the Great Western wine region of Victoria, Best’s Great Western is one of Australia’s oldest continually family owned and operated wineries. Best’s is known to have some of the oldest vines in Australia and produces extraordinary wines with great longevity. Throughout the history of the winery, there have only been two owners, the Best family who founded the winery, and the Thomson Family with a fifth generation Thomson is now running the winery. Wines for tasting and sale include Best’s current range of wines as well as limited release wines available through cellar door only.  Rare and old vintages are often on display and, at times, releases of back vintages are available for purchase. Best’s Great Western is located in the township of Great Western and it is an absolute must for any wine fancier.

Open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm.  Complementary and premium tastings ($10 per person) are available on the hour, between 10am and 4pm.

BOOK YOUR BEST’S WINES CELLAR DOOR VISIT NOW

ATR Wines

WINE TASTING AND SALES
Since planting the first vines, ATR’s focus has been to create modern, cutting edge wines from the historic Grampians region, both from traditional varieties, as well as some lesser-known varieties. By combining global winemaking experience with a regional flavour ATR is bringing a bold and pioneering winemaking approach to the cool-climate Grampians. Breaking the mould with blends from alternate varieties and a modern approach to traditional varieties.
ATR Wines invite you to come and visit their new and unique Wine Lounge, offering free tastings of four varieties of wines from their Chockstone range or indulge in a premium tasting for $10/person (redeemable on purchase).

Open Thursday to Sunday 1pm – 5pm. Bookings preferred, call Michelle  0457 922 400 or email wines@atrwines.com.auVISIT ATR WINES WEBSITE

Grampians Estate

WINE TASTING, WINE SALES, FOOD AND COFFEE, LOCAL PRODUCE.
Grampians Estate has emerged as one of the Grampians region’s premier boutique wineries. With its elegant cool-climate shiraz and sparkling shiraz leading the way, the winery produces a wide range of award-winning wines.

Sarah and Tom Guthrie have developed the brand over 20 years since the first vines were planted in 1989. Their passion has resulted in a ‘5 red star’ rating from James Halliday (top 8% in Australia) and 40 trophies for their wines since 2002. Grampians Estate has expanded its business to include a cellar door at Great Western on the Western Hwy and has purchased the former Garden Gully ‘St Ethels’ vineyard which includes shiraz vines dating back to 1888 and 100-year-old Riesling vines. Offering Grampians wine tasting, cheese platters, cafe food and espresso coffee. A selection of local produce is also available.

Open daily 10am to 4pm, wine tastings 10am to 3.15pm and food service 11am-3pm, daily. $5 per head fee for wine tasting, redeemable on purchase of wine. Bookings preferred 53562400.VISIT GRAMPIANS ESTATE WEBSITE

Miners Ridge

WINE TASTING AND SALES, FOOD (PLATTERS)
Miners Ridge is a small boutique winery south-east of Great Western producing unforgettable, medium bodied wines grown in Victoria’s premier wine region.

For three generations the Toomey family has been involved in and known for growing quality Shiraz, Chardonnay and Cabernet grapes from their site at Armstrong. After many years of producing for other wineries, Andrew and Katrina decided to take small parcels of their finest fruit from their Miners Ridge vineyard and craft a few barrels of wine to reflect their site. Miners Ridge wines are produced using traditional methods of hand harvesting, open fermenting and basket pressing to create premium quality wines.
Offering wine tastings, wine by the glass and Miners Ridge produce platters.

Bookings are preferred 0438 039727 or 0408 535623. VISIT MINERS RIDGE WEBSITE

Salinger’s Cafe

BREAKFAST, LUNCH, COFFEE AND SWEET TREATS. PRE ORDERED TAKEAWAY GRAZING BOXES
The mouthwatering Salinger’s Cafe is known for its amazing coffee, sweet treats and all day breakfasts. It’s a Foodies must visit! Special lunch menu available from 11:30am every day and breakfast menu is available all day.
Open from 8am to 4 pm 7 days a week.
Call 5356 2211 to book your table.

Salinger’s Cafe also offers a unique food experience with their made to order, takeaway Grazing Box Platters. Our chefs hand-pick a selection of fresh, premium, seasonal gourmet produce for you, with each box made to order, not one box will be the same.
Pre order your Grazing Box at www.salingers.com.au for collection. Prices start at $35. You can choose to add a bottle of Seppelt Wines Fleur de Lys, The Great Entertainer Sparkling Shiraz, Chardonnay Pinot Noir or Prosecco for just an extra $15.VISIT SALINGERS WEBSITE

Great Western Hotel

LUNCH, DINNER, COLD REFRESHMENTS, COFFEE, BOTTLE SHOP
Meals at a country pub are always a winner and the Great Western Hotel serves delicious pubs meals 7 days a week for both lunch and dinner. The massive Grampians Wine list, huge beer garden, plenty of cold beer, a bottle shop and ice-what more could you ask for? Open 11am – 10pm 7 days a week.

To book call 53562270.
VISIT GREAT WESTERN HOTEL’S WEBSITE