The Great Southern
Overview
The Great Southern wine region is vast and diverse, extending 150 kilometres north to south and 100 kilometres east to west. Divided into several subregions (Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker and Porongurup), Great Southern provides an ideal environment for cool-climate viticulture, creating distinctive regional wines.
The Big Picture
The prominent Frankland River and Mount Barker subregions are located 360 kilometres south of Perth, a relaxed drive of less than four hours. Frankland River, the largest wine-producing subregion of the Great Southern with 1,600 hectares of vines, is renowned for its Riesling, Cabernet and stunning Shiraz. The versatile Mount Barker subregion is particularly significant as it was here in the mid 1960s that the modern West Australian wine industry had its beginnings. The area produces excellent Riesling, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The attractive coastal city of Albany, set on the magnificent Princess Royal Harbour, is the oldest European settlement in Western Australia, and the subregion of the same name is renowned for producing high-quality Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The moderate summer temperatures and higher winter rainfall allow the Denmark subregion to also produce premium Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Immense granite outcrops, the Porongurups, are visible for many kilometres and are a physical landmark of both size and beauty. The Porongurup subregion's cooler climate ensures that Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have an excellent reputation.
Great Southern Wine Region
Climate
As one moves north and inland from the strongly maritime-influenced climate of Denmark, the Continental influence and hence temperature variability increase significantly, although there is a lesser increase in total heat summation. Elevation, aspect and sites vary widely, but in general terms the climate of these northern areas 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.
Soil
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.
Wines
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 can rank with the best from 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 ten 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 demand and reward patience.
Pinot Noir: Until recently Pinot Noir was regarded as the preserve of the southern area around Denmark and Albany, but some exciting wines have appeared from Mount Barker in slightly cooler years. In recent years there has been a succession of classic vintages in the southern part of Frankland River and some Porongurup vineyards with a southerly aspect.
Shiraz: Demand has served to intensify the pressure on the limited quantities, but exceptionally high quality Shiraz is produced in this region. Great Southern Shiraz exhibits a compelling combination of liquorice, spice, pepper, black cherry and plum. Happily, almost all producers avoid the temptation to use too much American oak, allowing the spectacular fruit quality freedom 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.
Albany
Map Coordinates 35° 02'S
Altitude 75 m (246 feet)
Heat degree days, Oct-Apr 1495 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted)
Growing season rainfall, Oct-Apr 303 mm (12 inches)
Mean January temperature 19°C (66°F)
Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 3 pm Average 59%
Harvest Mid Mar - End Apr
Denmark
Map Coordinates 31° 56'S
Altitude 50-150m (164-492 feet)
Heat degree days, Oct-Apr 1471 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted)
Growing season rainfall, Oct-Apr 354 mm (14 inches)
Mean January temperature 18.7º C (66ºF)
Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 9 am Average 75%
Harvest Early Mar - late April
Frankland River
Map Coordinates 34° 39'S
Altitude 200-300 m (656-984 feet)
Heat degree days, Oct-Apr 1441 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted)
Growing season rainfall, Oct-Apr 310 mm (12 inches)
Mean January temperature 19ºC (66ºF)
Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 3 pm Average 47%
Harvest Mid Mar - mid April
Mount Barker
Map Coordinates 34° 36'S
Altitude 180-250 m (590-820 feet)
Heat degree days, Oct-Apr 1488 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted)
Growing season rainfall, Oct-Apr 287 mm (11.3 inches)
Mean January temperature 19ºC (66ºF)
Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 3 pm Average 55%
Harvest Early Mar - mid April
Porongurup
Map Coordinates 34° 10'S
Altitude 250-300 m (820-984 feet)
Heat degree days, Oct-Apr 1441 (cut off at 19°C (66.2ºF) but not otherwise adjusted)
Growing season rainfall, Oct-Apr 310 mm (12.2 inches)
Mean January temperature 19ºC (66ºF)
Relative humidity, Oct-Apr 54%
Harvest Mid Mar -early May
Summary
Skirting the south-west Australian coast 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.
CHECKLIST
The Great Southern wine region is vast and diverse, extending 150 kilometres north to south and 100 kilometres east to west. Divided into several subregions (Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker and Porongurup), Great Southern provides an ideal environment for cool-climate viticulture, creating distinctive regional wines.
The Big Picture
The prominent Frankland River and Mount Barker subregions are located 360 kilometres south of Perth, a relaxed drive of less than four hours. Frankland River, the largest wine-producing subregion of the Great Southern with 1,600 hectares of vines, is renowned for its Riesling, Cabernet and stunning Shiraz. The versatile Mount Barker subregion is particularly significant as it was here in the mid 1960s that the modern West Australian wine industry had its beginnings. The area produces excellent Riesling, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The attractive coastal city of Albany, set on the magnificent Princess Royal Harbour, is the oldest European settlement in Western Australia, and the subregion of the same name is renowned for producing high-quality Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The moderate summer temperatures and higher winter rainfall allow the Denmark subregion to also produce premium Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Immense granite outcrops, the Porongurups, are visible for many kilometres and are a physical landmark of both size and beauty. The Porongurup subregion's cooler climate ensures that Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have an excellent reputation.
Great Southern Wine Region
Climate
As one moves north and inland from the strongly maritime-influenced climate of Denmark, the Continental influence and hence temperature variability increase significantly, although there is a lesser increase in total heat summation. Elevation, aspect and sites vary widely, but in general terms the climate of these northern areas 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.
Soil
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.
Wines
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 can rank with the best from 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 ten 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 demand and reward patience.
Pinot Noir: Until recently Pinot Noir was regarded as the preserve of the southern area around Denmark and Albany, but some exciting wines have appeared from Mount Barker in slightly cooler years. In recent years there has been a succession of classic vintages in the southern part of Frankland River and some Porongurup vineyards with a southerly aspect.
Shiraz: Demand has served to intensify the pressure on the limited quantities, but exceptionally high quality Shiraz is produced in this region. Great Southern Shiraz exhibits a compelling combination of liquorice, spice, pepper, black cherry and plum. Happily, almost all producers avoid the temptation to use too much American oak, allowing the spectacular fruit quality freedom 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.
Albany
Map Coordinates 35° 02'S
Altitude 75 m (246 feet)
Heat degree days, Oct-Apr 1495 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted)
Growing season rainfall, Oct-Apr 303 mm (12 inches)
Mean January temperature 19°C (66°F)
Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 3 pm Average 59%
Harvest Mid Mar - End Apr
Denmark
Map Coordinates 31° 56'S
Altitude 50-150m (164-492 feet)
Heat degree days, Oct-Apr 1471 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted)
Growing season rainfall, Oct-Apr 354 mm (14 inches)
Mean January temperature 18.7º C (66ºF)
Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 9 am Average 75%
Harvest Early Mar - late April
Frankland River
Map Coordinates 34° 39'S
Altitude 200-300 m (656-984 feet)
Heat degree days, Oct-Apr 1441 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted)
Growing season rainfall, Oct-Apr 310 mm (12 inches)
Mean January temperature 19ºC (66ºF)
Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 3 pm Average 47%
Harvest Mid Mar - mid April
Mount Barker
Map Coordinates 34° 36'S
Altitude 180-250 m (590-820 feet)
Heat degree days, Oct-Apr 1488 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted)
Growing season rainfall, Oct-Apr 287 mm (11.3 inches)
Mean January temperature 19ºC (66ºF)
Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 3 pm Average 55%
Harvest Early Mar - mid April
Porongurup
Map Coordinates 34° 10'S
Altitude 250-300 m (820-984 feet)
Heat degree days, Oct-Apr 1441 (cut off at 19°C (66.2ºF) but not otherwise adjusted)
Growing season rainfall, Oct-Apr 310 mm (12.2 inches)
Mean January temperature 19ºC (66ºF)
Relative humidity, Oct-Apr 54%
Harvest Mid Mar -early May
Summary
Skirting the south-west Australian coast 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.
CHECKLIST
- The Great Southern wine region is vast (150 kilometres north to south, 100 kilometres east to west) and includes five subregions.
- The most prominent of the subregions are Mount Barker and Frankland River (both about 360 kilometres from Perth).
- The climatic conditions range from maritime-influenced to Continental.
- Rainfall and humidity increase to the south of the region and temperature significantly increases inland, towards the north.
- Soils are mainly either lateritic gravelly sandy loams or sandy loams deriving directly from granite and gneissic bedrocks.
- The style of the Chardonnay is relatively consistent across the region, with its characteristics being elegant, tightly structured, and grapefruit-accented.
- Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most important wines produced , with both having superb aging potential.
- Pinot Noir and Shiraz are also produced with success.
- The country is dominated by the magnificent stands of the veteran hardwoods of the region – karri, marri, jarrah and other eucalypts of the family Myrtaceae.
