Western Australia · Sub-regions
Great Southern
Western Australia's coolest and most diverse region: Great Southern spans five sub-zones including Mount Barker (world-class Riesling) and Frankland River (Shiraz). Cool nights deliver extraordinary freshness.
Grape Varieties
Riesling, Shiraz
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay
Most Famous Site
Mount Barker
Vineyard Area
2.200 ha
Harvest
March – April
TERROIR PROFILE · Western Australia
Great Southern Australia's largest GI · cool mountain climate
Great Southern — Australia's Riesling stronghold. Howard Park, Frankland Estate, Plantagenet.
SOILS
Graniteelegant, lightly spicy
Weathered granite produces elegant, slender wines with fine, lightly spicy profile.
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
Gravel / Sandlight, approachable
Gravel and sand drain heavily — vines struggle for water, wines turn fine, light and elegant.
CLIMATE · Cool continental
Cool climate, cold continental inland, maritime at coast.
TOPOGRAPHY · mixed
Diverse topography in 5 sub-zones: Frankland River, Mount Barker, Porongurup, Albany, Denmark.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Typical Flavours of the Region
Riesling
WhiteChardonnay
WhiteSauvignon Blanc
WhiteCabernet Sauvignon
RedSyrah
RedRegion aroma cloud
Western Australia overview
This sub-region is part of Western Australia. The map shows all 9 sub-regions — Great Southern is highlighted.
Overview
Typical Varieties
Terroir & Climate
Wine Character
Great Southern is Western Australia's largest and most diverse wine region – five times the size of Margaret River. Its five sub-zones of Mount Barker, Frankland River, Porongurup, Denmark and Albany offer highly varied terroirs. Mount Barker produces Rieslings of international calibre with characteristic lime minerality. Frankland River delivers peppery, spicy Shiraz of great depth. The region's cool nights provide unique freshness and acid structure. Producers such as Plantagenet, Forest Hill and Frankland Estate have brought the region to international attention. Great Southern is an insider's tip for wine travellers seeking quality without the bustle of the more tourist-heavy Margaret River.
Soil Type
Granite (Mount Barker), ancient alluvial soils (Frankland River), sandstone and clay
Climate
WA's coolest continental climate; cold nights for freshness and acidity; higher rainfall
Top profiles
1 detailed profiles — all filterable in the list belowAll Wineries
6 resultsEvents in Western Australia
All events in Western Australia →10 Oct – Sun, 11 October 2026
Swan Valley Spring in the Valley
Wine festival · Swan Valley
20 Nov – Sun, 22 November 2026
Margaret River Gourmet Escape
Wine festival · Margaret River
Sat, 6 March 2027
Pemberton Unearthed
Wine festival · Pemberton
19 Mar – Sun, 28 March 2027
Taste Great Southern
Wine festival · Albany / Mount Barker / Denmark
19 Nov – Sun, 21 November 2027
Margaret River Region Open Studios & Wine Trail – Cabernet Celebration
Tasting · Margaret River
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mount Barker so famous for Riesling?
Granite soils and cool climate with cold nights produce Rieslings of exceptional minerality, citrus freshness and the potential to age for decades. Many experts place them in the same league as Germany's finest Rieslings.
What is the difference between the sub-zones of the Great Southern?
Each sub-zone has its speciality: Mount Barker for Riesling, Frankland River for Shiraz and Cabernet, Porongurup for elegant Pinot Noirs, Denmark and Albany for cooler styles due to direct ocean influence.
Which grape varieties define Great Southern?
The key grape varieties in Great Southern are Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The best-known vineyard is Mount Barker.
When is the best time to visit Great Southern for wine?
The harvest in Great Southern takes place March – April – when vineyards and cellars are busiest. May to July suits tastings without harvest bustle; many estates open their tasting rooms off-season by appointment.
What does the terroir of Great Southern taste like?
Soils: Granite (Mount Barker), ancient alluvial soils (Frankland River), sandstone and clay. Climate: WA's coolest continental climate; cold nights for freshness and acidity; higher rainfall. Together they shape structure, acidity and aromatics – see the terroir profile above.
How many wineries are there in Great Southern?
Cellarmap lists 6 wineries in Great Southern across roughly 2,200 hectares of vines. Every profile shows location, contact, grape varieties and, where available, vineyards, classification and visitor information.
📖 Look up in glossary
All terms →Related wine terms — clearly explained in the Cellarmap glossary.