A little bit of “Bee-Keeping” happened in the Salinger hives today, getting those busy bees sorted for another season.

The Salinger Hives are very popular with our visitors, who can watch the busy bees safely behind Perspex as they look after their Queen and make honey.
These bees are very lucky to have one of Australia's most renown Apiarist, Peter Kaczynski from Ararat looking after them.

In today’s visit, he extracted a little honey, cleaned the hive and step the bees up for the next season.

Did you know that Bees are hardwired to do certain jobs? Scout bees search for new sources of food is wired for this adventure. Soldier bees work as security guards their entire life and then about one-per cent of middle-aged bees become undertakers, a genetic brain pattern compels them to remove dead bees from the hive. They really are the most fascinating insect. Did you also know that they collect pollen close to their hive, but also far enough away that predators can’t find the hive?

Salingers Cafe is located in Great Western, which is the wine and food village of the Grampians.  Located towards the back of the store, you can check out these bees while enjoying a coffee and cake, 7 days a week.

John Murton was kind enough to share with us a bit about his family history and how they helped to shape Great Western into the town it is today.

The Murton family were a prominent family here in Great Western with a rich and interesting history. William Arthur was born in Cliffe, Kent in England in 1854. He came out to Australia in 1876 on the Superb and he worked on several stations around Victoria and NSW. Eliza Marion’s maiden name was Murray. She was born in Kalkyne Victoria in 1863. Her maternal grandfather was John Stuart Hepburn who Hepburn Springs is named after. Eliza was related to great wealth and nobility as her father was Charles James Boehm Murray and his great grandfather was the Earl of Dunmore, the last British Governor of Virginia, Governor of New York and the Bahamas. The Earl’s daughter married the son of George III, Duke of Sussex (twice).

William Arthur and Eliza Marion Murton married in 1884 in South Yarra and while William was managing a station called Weinteriga in NSW, he would often go back and visit England. The couple had seven children.The eldest, Leslie was born at Wilcannia in 1885. the next 4 (Hubert 1886, Eileen 1888, Evelyn 1890 and Ivo 1891) were born in Kent England. Dudley was born in St Kilda 1894 and the youngest, Muriel was born at Alanvale Station Great Western in 1898. The Murton children spent their formative years at Great Western. William and Eliza settled in Great Western in the 1990’s and they bought the iconic St.Peters vineyard from the Trouette family in 1896. The cottage and 4 acres of cherries, belonging to the estate, were purchased by James Tiller, who was manager for Mr Murton for 11 years. William and winery owner at the time Hans Irvine were friends and William even presided over a banquet in Great Western in his honour. After Eliza died in Great Western in December 1903 William moved to St Vincents Place in Albert Park, a terraced house called Rochester, named after his home town in Kent. He then moved to “Weinteriga” in Armadale. Out of the 5 boys, 4 enlisted in WW1.  Leslie Murton worked for a communications company which was regarded as an essential industry and didn’t go.

Hubert Murton had been managing stations including Marathon in Qld. He enlisted in the King Edwards Light Horse in the British Army. Being in cavalry, which wasn’t being used in trench warfare, he became a sniper. He was killed in Jan 2016 in Grenay France. A shell landed at his feet as he was returning back to HQ. In the death notice in 1916 and in subsequent memoriam notices over the years, a Mercie Grellet refered to him as her fiancé. She subsequently married a George Mitchell from Stawell at the Pines Great Western. Hubert’s death was recorded in a book “For Love and Courage”.

Evelyn Murton enlisted into the artillery from Yarrawonga where he was working in a bank. He boarded the HMS Osterley on 14 Feb 1917. All 4 men were in the artillery. Only 3 returned. Evelyn was gassed in May 1918 and blinded for 3 months. Upon the return of his sight he was sent back to the front ready for the August 1918 push. Evelyn resumed his career as a bank manager and was assigned to various places including Maffra, Ararat (where he set up the local RSL), Rainbow, Euroa and Elsternwick. My father was born in Ararat in 1926 at St Quentins Hospital. Ironically, my mother and father were married on 14 February 1953, 36 years to the day that the Osterley left Melbourne. Ivo Murton enlisted into the East African Remounts. He achieved the rank of captain and received an OBE for his services to transport. He returned to Kenya in either the late 1920s or early 1930s. He died in Kenya in 1938. Dudley Murton joined the 8th Light Horse. He fought in Gallipoli. He was involved in the Battle of the Nek (8 August 1915) where he was badly wounded in the arm and he never had full use again. He was one of the lucky survivors. Many of his Western District comrades didn’t. Dudley ended up being an orchardist in Tatura. During the first world war, William was a recruiter, looking to recruit others to help his 4 sons. William died in 1928 and was buried at Box Hill.

The following excerpt is from the late Mac Murton (John’s uncle) who shared his memories of his family.

“Grandfather & Grandmother owned the land at Great Western (between Ararat and Stawell in Vic.) during the ‘1890s’, which they sold on the advice of the Union Trustees, Vic, as they were overseas at the time -about 1903-4-5. This land, I was told, is now owned by Seppelts. When we lived in Ararat 1922-27, we were often taken by Dad to visit the family’s French governess, Madame or M’selle Truett, who lived in a white cottage on the main highway, on the right going North to Stawell. About one block behind Madame Truett’s, & as far as I know can still be seen, the ruins of the family home with the cellars still evident - I last saw them about 1970. When I was born Dad was given 12 bottles of Champagne by Seppelts which were kept for my 21st - As I was in the Middle East in ’41, they had to wait later. In recent times there was a “back to Great Western”, & I saw a copy of an old Race Book in which W.A. Murton Esq was shown as the Official Starter. I think Grandmother died in 1905, and about this time the family moved (I think) to Albert Park, Melbourne”.

Mac was basing this on his memory. Some of the detail extracted from the old newspapers would suggest that his dates might be a bit off. However, his commentary reflects a close relationship the Murton family had with Great Western and the Trouette family.

Seppelt Great Western
Not sure what to bring to Christmas Day lunch? Well nothing says festive quite like Sparkling Shiraz. Since the 1890’s, Seppelt’s has enjoyed a distinguished history of producing Sparkling Shiraz and is a global pioneer of the uniquely Australian wine style. French winemaker Charles Pierlot who was well known for making sparkling wine, was invited to work with the owner at the time, Hans Ivirne. When he arrived at Great Western, he only had Shiraz grapes to work with, so using his ingenuity, he experimented and invented Australia’s first ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ wines as they were known in 1892. In 1895, Hans Irvine & Co of Great Western was awarded a gold medal at the Bordeaux exhibition for its ‘Sparkling Burgundy’.125+ years later, the legacy continues and today Seppelt enjoys a reputation for producing the world’s finest expressions.
Sourced from selected vineyards throughout Victoria, the Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz is a superbly balanced wine with vibrant, spicy shiraz fruit and a fine creamy mousse. Aromas of mulberry and blue fruits with exotic spices and a lifted floral nose.This festive wine has become a Christmas tradition for many Australians and it’s easy to see why, with it’s deep red colour and is best served chilled which makes it the perfect wine to enjoy on a hot Christmas day. It makes a great accompaniment for both savoury and sweet dishes so it’s perfect for both turkey and Christmas pudding.

One of the other Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz varieties on offer was inspired by the Australian icon, Dame Nellie melba. The Great Entertainer Sparkling Shiraz reflects the famous singer’s pure effervescent voice with its rich, spicy, vibrant red fruit flavours.Don’t miss out on enjoying one of Australia’s most iconic wines this Christmas by picking up yours today at Seppelt Cellar Door or ordering online at https://seppeltgreatwestern.com.au/

Best’s Winery

A unique Australian wine, Best’s Great Western Sparkling Shiraz was re-introduced at Best’s in 2006 after a 20-year absence. Part of a proud history, the sparkling Shiraz style is synonymous with the Great Western and releasing a sparkling version of Best’s famous Shiraz was a great opportunity for Best’s Great Western to refine the style of sparkling Shiraz. Great Western produces grapes that are exceptionally well suited to the Sparkling Shiraz style. During the process of reincarnating this style in the mid-2000s, Best's owner and patriarch Viv Thomson, as well as Ian Mackenzie (formerly Winemaker at Seppelt Great Western) were consulted to ensure the wine reflected the origins from whence it came, but also was characteristic of the regional style. The Shiraz grapes are picked early, made in vats and have minimal oak treatment. The result is a wine with a medium body, which retains its freshness and intensity with age. Current winemaker, Justin Purser has embraced the sparkling Shiraz project and has initiated some improvements, including using aged Liqueur Muscat material from old casks at Best’s as the dosage in the Sparkling Shiraz. Justin is also working closely with Ben Thomson in the vineyard to fine-tune the best vineyard block for the Sparkling Shiraz style.The 2017 Great Western Sparkling Shiraz is a very dark red, with a rocky mousse that fills the glass that subsides to reveal a lace of fine persistent bubbles. A vibrant palate of flesh forest fruits with a soft and creamy mouthfeel and a spicy floral finish. Pick it up this Christmas from Best’s Cellar Door and serve it chilled.

Grampians Estate
Released November 2019, the 2017 Rutherford Sparkling Shiraz is a cool-climate medium-bodied style, soft with some subtle chocolate and raspberry flavours. It is an elegant and fulfilling wine that consumes the mouth with good fruit and effervescence. It also has some blackberries and licorice on the nose. This ‘Methode Traditionalle’ sparkling has balance, length and style. Previous vintages of the Rutherford Sparkling Shiraz have been awarded 15 trophies including the 2006 vintage which was Winestate Magazine’s ‘Sparkling of the Year’.

Sparkling Shiraz Recipes

Sparkling shiraz is not only great to drink at Christmas time but it can actually be used as an ingredient for many delicious  and festive recipes such as sparkling shiraz jelly or sangria.

Check out this delicious Sangria recipe:

https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/sparkling-shiraz-sangria/88fb466e-d793-4925-9a7b-b8c9fba97e07

Sparkling Shiraz and Rasberry Jelly

http://suetehan.com/index.php/dessert/sparkling-shiraz-fresh-raspberry-jelly/

Here’s a grown-up version of a childhood favourite; Sparkling Shiraz Spider

https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/chefs-recipes/sparkling-shiraz-and-vanilla-ice-cream-spider-15624

Chocolate pear tarts with Sparkling Shiraz

https://kitchen.nine.com.au/recipes/chocolate-pear-tarts-with-sparkling-shiraz-sabayon/1321dce0-dbbb-4dca-b6b3-a5984c3e3e2f

Looking for the perfect way to spend your Christmas and New Years break? Why not head to Great Western, the food and wine village of the Grampians where you can unwind and enjoy all that's on offer.

Accomodation

With so many accommodation options in Great Western, you’ll be spoilt for choice but the Glamping tents or the Vine Lodge on the Seppelts property are perfect if you’re after something a bit special. Travel back in time and stay at the cosy Best’s Cottage that was originally built back in the 1860’s. There is also accommodation in the main Street of Great Western with the Great Western Hotel and the Villas.

Christmas Day

Not sure what to do for Christmas arvo? No worries, the Great Western Hotel has you sorted. The bar is open Christmas day from 11am-3pm so you can have some drinks and catch up with loved ones. You can even come and pick up some ice if you need to top up the eski.

Boxing Day Breakfast

Treat yourself to a delicious Boxing Day breaky and coffee at Salinger’s Cafe or if you’re looking for breakfast on the go, the General Store next door has hot egg and bacon rolls ready to pick up from 6am. Call 5356 2211 to book your table.

Seppelt Cellar Door

Keep the holiday celebrations going and indulge in some of the many wine tastings available in Great Western including the famous sparkling wines on offer at Seppelt Cellar Door. Open every day from 10-5 (except Christmas), you can really make a day of it there by joining one of the historic underground cellar tours running hourly from 11-3 followed by a guided wine tasting. Peruse the Shaft House museum and Mr. Joseph and Co. gift shop and spend the rest of the afternoon with a glass of wine and a cheese platter on the beautifully manicured lawns enjoying the view of the vineyard. The 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.

Best’s Winery

Check out some of the other wineries that are open during the Christmas and New Years period including Best’s Winery where you can taste their superb riesling. Open 10-5 everyday and make sure you call and book your tasting so you don’t miss out. Complementary and premium tastings ($10 per person) are available on the hour, between 10am and 4pm. Bookings are essential by visiting www.bestswines.com/cellar-door.

Grampians Estate

Need to replenish your wine supply to get you through the rest of the holidays? Head to Grampians Estate where you try some of their famous shiraz and stock up. 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. C

ATR Wine Lounge

The ATR Wine Lounge also has wine tastings available and is open from the 26th of December to 3rd of Jan where you can try some of their refreshing rose. Or you can just sit outside, relax and soak up the picturesque surroundings with a glass of wine. Bookings are preferred for the premium $10 tasting, call Michelle  0457 922 400 or email wines@atrwines.com.au

Miner’s Ridge

Miners Ridge wines are produced using traditional methods of hand harvesting, open fermenting and basket pressing to create premium quality wines. There you can enjoy wine tastings, wine by the glass and Miners Ridge produce platters. Open Friday & Saturday’s 12-5pm. Bookings are preferred 0438 039727 or 0408 535623.

New Years Eve

After all that wine tasting and unwinding you’ll be ready to party again and celebrate the end of 2020 and welcome in the new year and there’s no better place to do that than in the Great Western Hotel’s iconic beer garden. Join us at the pub for a meal and drinks and you can even request a song on the jukebox! Make sure to call and book a table 53562270 or visit the website at https://greatwesternhotel.pub/

Great Western is the home of Sparkling Shiraz.  This collection includes the indulgent wines from Best’s, Grampians Estate and Seppelt Wines to showcase the history and uniqueness of Great Western Sparkling Shiraz. Together, they've curated a limited release Grampians Sparkling Shiraz collection which includes:

2 x Best’s Wines Sparkling Shiraz 2017

2 x Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz NV

2 x Grampians Estate Rutherford Sparkling Shiraz 2017

LEARN MORE ->

https://www.madethegrampiansway.com.au/collections/sparkling-shiraz-collection?fbclid=IwAR0AG2xzgMKSedv6GakeYRIQ_DsB9t3f7V2iTW3KUveKACYNhB2UhCJ45q4

We have great news for connoisseurs of our luxury collection of mouthwatering, premium Seppelt wines. We are very excited to announce that Luxury Tastings are back, from this weekend at Seppelt’s Cellar Door and even better, we have new vintages for you to enjoy! But wait, there’s more….our Luxury Tastings are now experienced as side-by-side tastings, so you can now compare the wines in our extensive range and select your personal favourite!

For just $10 per person you can be amongst the first to experience a Luxury Tasting with our new side-by-side tasting and Seppelt’s, just released, new vintages. Including the incredibly delicious, moreish flavours of the 2018 vintage of our iconic premium St Peters Shiraz. This exquisite shiraz released in small quantities and only in exceptional years, is sourced from the finest and most intense fruit from the best blocks of our spectacular Great Western vineyard and is sure to please.

The Luxury Tasting also includes four new releases from our prized Drumborg Vineyard range-the 2020 Drumborg Riesling, 2019 Drumborg Chardonnay, 2019 Drumborg Pinot Noir and the 2019 Pinot Meunier. All Sourced from Seppelt’s mature, cool-climate Drumborg vineyard in South-West Victoria’s Henty region. Planted in 1964 and swept by icy winds from the Southern Ocean, it is one of the southern-most vineyards of mainland Australia and produces outstanding fruit.

We have not forgotten the sparkling lovers either with our fabulous, effervescent,  current 2013 Vintage Salinger premium sparkling white (get it while it lasts - a new vintage is on it’s way soon!), Salinger NV sparkling white and our Great Entertainer  and Original Sparkling Shiraz NV’s also on the menu for you to compare and enjoy during your Luxury Tasting experience.

More details of our new releases to entice your taste buds:

2018 Seppelt St Peters Grampians Shiraz

The deep red and purple hued St Peters, is sourced from the finest and most intense fruit from the best blocks of the Great Western Vineyard harvested in late March 2018. In vintage 2018 this included select parcels of fruit from the Bass and Arrawatta blocks and is a powerful, seductive expression of Shiraz with great finesse, from our region. With extraordinary cellaring potential of 50 years or more (peak drinking now until 2050), this wine is classified ’óutstanding’ by Langton’s in its classification of Australian Wine VI.
Nose: The complex, perfumed nose shows aromas of blueberries and blackberries laced with sweet spice, violets and gunflint notes.

Palate: The medium bodied palate shows sweet mulberry fruit and spice combined with savoury elements and graphite-like mineral characteristics over a subtle toasty oak background.

2020 Seppelt Drumborg Vineyard Henty Riesling

Riesling was the first variety planted at Seppelt’s prized cool-climate Drumborg vineyard in South-West Victoria’s Henty Region in 1964 by Karl Seppelt. With its sweeping icy winds from the Southern Ocean, it is one of the Southern-most vineyards of mainland Australia.

This pale straw coloured wine is one of Seppelt’s most sought-after whites due to its fruity purity, structure, intensity of flavour and remarkable cellaring potential with peak drinking 2020-2040+. Traditional winemaking techniques, including cool tank fermentation followed by a short period of maturation on lees are used to bring about the purest expression of the vineyard. The 2020 vintage was harvested in April 2020 and is a classic example of Drumborg Riesling representing the purity, balance and length inherent to this unique vineyard.
Nose: Aromas of white flowers and lemon zest combined with spicy notes.

Palate: The palate shows an innate purity with concentrated lime fruit and lemon curd supported by mineral acid and chalky textural elements, producing a powerful wine with balance and length.

2019 Seppelt Drumborg Vineyard Henty Chardonnay
The pale straw coloured Seppelt Drumborg Chardonnay is an expression of purity and balance. Select parcels of Chardonnay, harvested in March 2019, are chosen for their intensity of flavour and mineral acid structure. Traditional winemaking techniques are used, including fermentation in a combination of small and large format french oak followed by maturation on lees. The 2019 vintage is a finely structured, yet powerful expression of chardonnay. Peak drinking now until 2024.

Nose: Aromas of white nectarines, lemon zest and roasted nuts combined with complex flinty notes.

Palate: Long and pure, with fresh pear and citrus flavours combined with subtle toasty oak and chalky acidity. A delicate yet powerful wine.

2019 Seppelt Drumborg Vineyard Henty Pinot Noir

The ruby red and crimson hued Seppelt Drumborg Pinot Noir is an expression of purity and balance. Select parcels of Pinot Noir, harvested in March 2019 are chosen for their intensity of flavour and structure. Traditional winemaking techniques are used, followed by maturation in a combination of french oak barriques and puncheons. The 2019 vintage is a fine elegant expression of Pinot Noir with an intense perfumed nose and complex, layered palate. Peak drinking now until 2030.

Nose: The perfumed nose shows complex aromas of cherry and strawberry combined with spicy oak and cured meats.

Palate: The vibrant palate show sour cherry fruit and savoury notes combined with fine tannins and a backbone of toasty French oak.

2019 Seppelt Drumborg Vineyard Henty Pinot Meunier

The medium red and garnet hued Pinot Meunier was planted at Drumborg in 1966 to be used as a component of premium sparkling wine, however it can produce very interesting and delicious dry table wines reminiscent of Pinot Noir. Seppelt Pinot Meunier is a unique example of this variety and is amongst only a handful of wines made in this fashion in Australia. Peak drinking now until 2025.

Nose: The perfumed nose shows complex aromas of strawberries and sweet spice combined with gunflint notes.

Palate: On the palate flavours of redcurrants and spiced cherries combine with velvety tannins and subtle, well integrated oak. A fine example of this complex, elegant variety.
We are looking forward to welcoming you to our picturesque winery at Great Western where you can experience our fabulous new vintages and iconic wines for yourself.

Seppelt Cellar Door is open every day from 10am - 5pm for tastings.                               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, book here now or call Seppelt Cellar door on 53612239

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, 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 is 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.
Check out the website here: https://seppeltgreatwestern.com.au

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.

Bookings are essential by visiting www.bestswines.com/cellar-door.


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.au

Check out the website here: https://www.atrwines.com.au/


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.

Check out the website here: https://grampiansestate.com.au/

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. Open Friday & Saturday’s 12-5pm.

Bookings are preferred 0438 039727 or 0408 535623. For visits outside of these times bookings are essential.

Check out the website here: https://minersridge.com.au/



Salinger's Cafe

BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER, 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 dinner service available on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Open from 8am to 10pm Friday and Saturday and 8am to 4pm Sunday to Thursday (closed Wednesday’s) . 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 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 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.

Check out the website here: https://www.salingers.com.au/

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. Massive regional 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.

Check out the website here: https://greatwesternhotel.pub/

Wineries offering food

See the wineries offering food listed above.

For more info, check out the Visit Grampians website: https://www.visitgrampians.com.au/

Spring has sprung and Seppelt wines are beckoning!
Spring is in the air, the weather is warming up and the days are getting longer, which means there is more time to indulge in the finer things in life. What better way to welcome the glorious season of spring than with a fabulous wine tipple to compliment your salivating senses. At Seppelt wines, we’ve got you covered with our huge selection of palate pleasing and award winning wines. This spring we invite you to experience for yourself the luxurious aromas, taste and textures of our top picks for the new season, perfect for long, slow, Spring sipping.

Sparkling delights
Nothing says crowd pleaser quite like bubbles do and our very popular Seppelt The Great Entertainer, Prosecco NV certainly fits the bill! Selected from our Great Entertainer Range of fresh, lively drops and inspired by the many colourful personalities who have been part of the Seppelt legend since 1851.

Pop that cork and let the good times flow and you will discover a fabulous slightly sweet, yet zesty, sparkling white wine with delicious flavours of pear and crisp green apple on the palate and fresh strawberry and nectarine hints on the nose. Perfect to share with your besties in the sunshine whilst enjoying finger food, canapes etc or during dinner, particularly with chicken, fish or light pasta dishes. Go on you know you want to!

How about trying something new?
The newest addition to our white wine collection is the Seppelt 2018 Vintage Gruner Veltliner.
The 2018 Vintage has produced a wine with enticing aromatics of citrus, pear and green apple and a textured, mouthwatering palate of lime, citrus and pear overtones, superbly balanced with a long finish.

Grown in the Henty Region at our award-winning Drumborg Vineyard, in far South West Victoria, The Gruner Veltliner has received many awards and accolades, including Gold in the 2019 Melbourne Wine Show, Silver in the 2019 National Wine Show Australia, and 95 points in the James Halliday Wine Companion, with Halliday stating “It is long, intense, citrus-tinged and has real purpose.”
Looking for a white that goes with everything? Look no further than the Seppelt Gruner Veltliner!

Gruner Veltliner is one of the most versatile wines to pair with food. It is particularly delicious paired with acidic foods such as fried chicken, lemon dishes, and vinaigrettes. Enjoy!

Fancy a red that’s perfect for spring?
For something deliciously different this spring we have a red wine that pairs perfectly with sunny days! With its garnet hues and complex, yet delicate, dry flavours of red fruits such as redcurrants and spiced cherries with velvety tannins, subtle oak and a perfumed nose of strawberries and sweet spice, the Seppelt 2019 Vintage Pinot Meunier will delight your senses.

This wine forms part of Seppelt’s prized luxury Drumborg Vineyard Range, sourced from the mature, cool-climate Seppelt Drumborg Vineyard in South-West Victoria’s Henty Region which is swept by icy winds from the Southern Ocean and is one of the Southern-most vineyards of mainland Australia.

The Seppelt Drumborg Pinot Meunier is a unique example of this variety which was originally planted in 1966 to be used as a component of premium sparkling wine. It is amongst only a handful of wines made in this fashion in Australia.

Delicious paired with seafood, pork, duck, cured meats and cheese.  The Seppelt 2019 vintage Drumborg Pinot Meunier was awarded 96 points by James Halliday, who declared it “an entrancing bouquet of red fruits and spices, the slightly savoury palate building complexity. A (near?) perfect Meunier”. With that impressive recommendation, you should most definitely add it to your wine list!

Keen for a get away and some indulgence not far from home this Melbourne Cup long weekend? 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 available in Great Western from Salinger's Cafe, Miners Ridge, Grampians Estate and the Great Western Hotel and on Sunday November 1st from 12.30pm, Bests Winery will have The Very Hungry Caterpillar Food Truck onsite for guests to enjoy.

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.

WINE TASTINGS AND HISTORICAL WINERY/CELLAR TOURS- Seppelt Wines.
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 for a tasting or to purchase wine and take a step back in time during the historical guided tour of the heritage-listed, rustic cellars, The Drives – first excavated in 1865 and the longest in the southern hemisphere.

Open from 10am - 5pm with tastings and wine sales. Tours into the Seppelt Historic underground cellars leave from the Seppelt Cellar Door at 11am, 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm. Bookings are preferred for tastings and tours, via Rezdy or call the Cellar Door 53612239.
Seppelt Wines is open all Melbourne Cup long weekend.

Visit Seppelt Wines website!

WINE TASTINGS - Best's Wines.
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 now running the winery. Best's Great Western is located in the township of Great Western and it is an absolute must for any wine fancier.

During the Melbourne Cup weekend, Best’s Wines new release Sparkling Wines, the Sparkling White CMT and the new vintage 2017 Sparkling Shiraz will be open for tasting and on Sunday November 1st from 12.30pm, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Food Truck will be located at the winery.
Open all weekend, 10am - 5pm.  Complementary and premium tastings ($10 per person) are available on the hour, between 10am and 4pm. Bookings are essential.

Visit Best's Wines website!

WINE TASTINGS - Grampians Estate.
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 all weekend from 10am to 4pm, wine tastings 10am to 3.15pm and food service 11am-3pm. $5 per head fee for wine tasting, redeemable on purchase of wine.             Bookings preferred 53562400.

Visit Grampians Estate website!

WINE TASTINGS - ATR Wines.
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.

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 all weekend 1pm - 5pm. Bookings preferred, call Michelle 0457 922 400 or email wines@atrwines.com.au

Visit A.T Richardson Wines website!

WINE TASTINGS - Miners Ridge.
The Cellar Door at Miners Ridge will be open for tastings, including the award winning 2018 AT Shiraz!  Wine by the glass and Miners Ridge produce platters are also available.

Open Saturday and Sunday 12pm-4pm. Bookings are preferred 0438039727 or 0408535623. For visits outside of these times bookings are essential.
Miners Ridge Cellar Door is open this weekend.

Visit Miners Ridge Wines website!

Salinger's Cafe.

The mouthwatering Salinger's Cafe, is open from 8am to 10pm Friday and Saturday and 8am to 4pm Sunday of the Melbourne Cup long weekend. Known for their amazing coffee, sweet treats and all day breakfasts, it's a must visit. Special lunch menu available from 11:30am every day and dinner service available on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Call 5356211 to book your table.
Salingers Cafe is open all Melbourne Cup long weekend.

The Great Western Hotel

Open 11am - 10pm 7 days a week. 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. Massive regional wine list, huge beer garden, plenty of cold beer, a bottle shop and ice-what more could you ask for?
To book call 53562270.

See the wineries offering food options listed above.

FOOD VAN- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Food Van at Bests winery from 12.30pm

MARKET - The Halls Gap Market will be on at the Halls Gap oval from 9am until 1pm Sunday 1st of November.  Seppelt Wines will be at the market on Sunday 1st November offering all wines in the Seppelt Great Entertainer range.

MELBOURNE CUP CALCUTTA & SWEEP DRAW - from 6pm at the Great Western Hotel. Tickets will be on sale from 6pm with the raffle drawn happening at 7:30pm. Auction will happen at 8pm to get your horse for the race that stops the nation.

Great Western is AMAZING, surround yourself with wine, amazing food and people all with the amazing Grampians as your playground.

The Great Western Enterprises currently has several position available, that might suit an amazing "Hospo Duo" with accommodation sorted!  

POSITION VACANT - Bar {Person} @ the Great Western Hotel

During ISO, Harry quietly slipped over the border, and after 2-week isolation, started uni and is following his dream to become a Marnie Biologist. We miss Harry, but we are looking for someone to take on his role in the bar

The perfect person has to have

• amazing peripheral vision, so they can act quickly to the empty glasses on the bar
• Be able to juggle many different tasks at the same time, we get busy, and you will need to be able to jump down into the cellar to change a keg, pour a round, wack through some orders and dish up a bowl of ice cream to a kid who just turned 7,  all around the same time
• Feel at home in a bar.  Needs to be able to have a yarn and pass on vital information that you only find out about at the pub
• Become a part of our community. Great Western is bloody amazing and the thing that makes it so bloody amazing is the people here. We want you to become one of them

You up to the challenge of becoming our next Harry (can totally be a Harriet)? This is a full-time role, and we may be able to help with accommodation if needed.  We are also looking for an amazing Chef, so this role may be perfect for a couple wanting to escape the city lockdown and relocate to the country.  
Want to know more ? Shoot Bruce an email bruce@greatwesternhotel.pub

POSITION AVAILABLE - Chef {Great Western Enterprises}
When we start to visualise the perfect Chef to join our team we see passion, full sleeve tattoo and a fire in their belly to lead the pack with food in the Grampians region.  
Great Western is the wine and food village of the Grampians and we take our food (and wine..) very seriously.  Great Western Enterprises have several kitchens, Seppelt Wines, Salingers and the Great Western Hotel, all serving different food offerings.

Do you have skills to bring to the Great Western table?
Did you always see yourself serving amazing food, paired with award-winning wines?

Talk to us.
This full-time position may be perfect for a couple who are looking for a tree-change, with accommodation available. There are other positions available within our organisation that may suit your partner if you are looking at escaping the lockdown in Melbourne.
For more information you need to speak to Bruce… shoot him an email at bruce@greatwesternhotel.pub

6 guests 3 bedrooms 3 beds 1 bath
Daisy’s on Main is a beautiful, historic Cottage in the Great Western Wine Village. Located in the famous Grampians Region of Victoria and only 22km to Halls Gap.
Situated directly opposite the Great Western Hotel and two doors down from Salinger’s Cafe. The Steel Cutters Cottage is also just down the street. Enjoy the afternoon visiting one of our many Wineries. Seppelt Wines, Best’s Wines, Grampians Estate, Miner’s Ridge and ATR Wines, all close by.
The Cottage is truly a home away from home and comfortably sleeps 6 people. Perfect for couples, small groups or families.
Looking for somewhere to celebrate your hens or special occasion? Then base yourself at Daisy’s on Main and take in all this stunning area has to offer!

*Bedroom 2 has a privacy screen in lieu of a door as this room was originally the lounge room of the home. Please refer to images.

Others things to note
Please note: a 25% surcharge will apply to school holidays, Christmas, Easter (Stawell Gift), long weekends and special event weekends, thank you

To book or to find out more information on availability, please click here.

Ian McKenzie played an integral role in the Seppelt property becoming one of the most well-known wineries to date. His own ‘Mckenzie Museum’ hidden beneath the earth and carved from the same stone as the Great Western cellars is an eternal tribute to his name and time on the property.

Ian’s career as a winemaker began in 1959 at the age of 17 as a trainee winemaker for Berri Co-operative Winery and Distillery (BCWD). He stayed for 24 years, working small stints in other wineries in the region to consolidate the knowledge gained in the workplace, and in 1976, after decades of training and guidance, Ian was appointed Chief Winemaker for BCWD.

Later, Ian joined Seppelt at the Great Western property as Victorian Regional Manager as well as Seppelt Chief Winemaker in 1983. Following the formation of Southcorp Wines in which Seppelt was a key brand, Ian was then appointed Southcorp Wines Chief Winemaker in 1991, remaining in this position until he retired in 2002.

During his time on the Great Western property, Ian erected the McKenzie Museum which today houses hundreds of irreplaceable and priceless bottles, some dating back to the 1930s. This collection of prestigious vintages are locked behind Seppelt branded cast-iron gates protecting the historical varietals inside. Still to this day, Ian watches over this collection, with the addition of more current vintages of Seppelt white, red, and sparkling varietals as they are released.

The McKenzie museum is highlighted during the historical underground cellar tour and allows tour-goers to peer behind the beautiful gates and marvel at what lies beyond.

Need a Father’s Day gift idea? Directly delivered to his door, the Seppelt Cellar Door team have put together the ultimate way to treat your Dad in 2020!

The Grampians region is known for the production of premium Shiraz with the Great Western area producing fruit with distinct silky tannins which develop savoury earthy characters with age. Let Dad experience for himself the luxurious berry and sweet spice aromas and indulge in the subtle toasty oak characteristics of Great Western. Seppelt Wines Father's Day gift packs are an excellent way to spoil your Dad with a selection of gift packs to choose from. Your options include...

A Cold Night In Wine Pack
Packed together under the wrapping of this gift set lies 3 bottles of award-winning Seppelt Shiraz. The Drives Shiraz 2018 which displays the classic Heathcote regional characters of bright raspberry fruit and fine earthy tannins.  The Chalambar Shiraz 2017 which harnesses the individual strengths and distinct characteristics of spicy, floral Grampians Shiraz complemented by juicy Heathcote Shiraz. While leaving the best until last, the St. Peters Shiraz 2018 which is released in small quantities and only in exceptional years. St. Peters is Seppelt’s flagship Shiraz, testimony to the distinctive style and pedigree of the Grampians region. Tasting notes are included for all three bottles.
This pack also includes a pass for 2 adults to the historical underground cellar tour held at the Seppelt Great Western property, giving you first hand access to the 3kms of hand-dug tunnels.

A Cold Night In Wine & Food Pack
You also have the option to upgrade your gift pack into ‘A Cold Night In Wine & Food Pack’ by including a $50 voucher that can be used at either Salingers Cafe, the Great Western Hotel or Seppelt Wines Cellar Door, all situated in Great Western, the wine and food village of the Grampians.

The Gentlemens Wine Pack
The three bottles of Seppelt Shiraz that lie within this package are some of Seppelt Wines most iconic selection. The Chalambar Shiraz 2017, first crafted in 1953 by Australian Winemaking legend Colin Preece,  is a multi-regional blend of Premium Shiraz parcels sourced from some of Victoria’s finest viticultural regions. The Mount Ida Shiraz 2017 is sourced from the extraordinary Shiraz growing region of Heathcote in Central Victoria. Produced in small quantities and only in exceptional vintages. Additionally, the iconic St. Peters Shiraz 2018 is a luxurious inclusion to this gift pack. Sourced from the finest and most intense fruit from the best blocks of the Great Western Vineyards the St. Peters Shiraz is a powerful, seductive expression of Shiraz from the Great Western area. Tasting notes are included for all three bottles.
This pack also includes a pass for 2 adults to the historical underground cellar tour held at the Seppelt Great Western property, giving you first hand access to the 3kms of hand-dug tunnels.

The Gentlemens Wine & Food Pack
You have the option to upgrade this pack into ‘The Gentlemens Wine & Food Pack’ by including a $50 voucher that can be used at either Salingers Cafe, the Great Western Hotel or Seppelt Wines Cellar Door, all situated in Great Western, the wine and food village of the Grampians.

Celebrate Dad in the way he deserves this Father's Day with a gift from Seppelt Wines.

Order yours here

The mould which blackens the walls throughout the underground cellars known as ‘The Drives’ at Seppelt in Great Western is a harmless species known as Aspergillus Niger.

Aspergillus Niger has been used for citric acid production for over 100 years and was discovered by Food Chemist James Currie. Citric acid has enormous value in many industries and is used as a preservative and flavouring agent in a wide range of industries today!

What do canned fruit, shampoo and blood preservation have in common? You guessed it! They all rely on the citric acid produced by the Aspergillus Niger.

In regards to its use at Seppelt, this ‘Fancy French Mould’ gives our underground cellars a certain ambiance when touring through the 3kms of hand-dug tunnels, almost as if you have taken a step back in time.

The origins of the mould in the Great Western cellars accidentally occurred in the 1800s. The owner of the property at the time Hans Irvine, once dubbed 'The wine King of Australia', imported wine barrels from France with Aspergillus Niger spores embedded in the oak.

To learn more about the Seppelt Great Western property and for exclusive Cellar Door deals, head over to www.seppeltgreatwestern.com.au !