The Great Grape Road touring route

Recommended duration:  3 days
Total distance:  Melbourne–Ballarat 112 kilometres, Great Ocean Road and Warrnambool–Ballarat 174 kilometres
Driving time:  Melbourne–Ballarat 1hr 30mins, Great Ocean Road and Warrnambool–Ballarat 1hr 45mins

The Great Grape Road touring route is a scenic circuit through the Pyrenees, Grampians and Ballarat wine regions of western Victoria. These wine regions produce some of Australia’s finest cool-climate wines – most notably shiraz, which has earned international recognition.

Local cellar door experiences range in style from sophisticated tasting rooms to barrel-side tastings in underground tunnels. Winemakers are keen to share their experiences and their produce as you compare and contrast the highly individual flavours of the three regions.

The first vines in the Grampians region were planted in 1863 (some are the oldest shiraz vines in the world). Today the scenic countryside around Ararat, Buangor, Great Western and Hall Gaps is home to outstanding wineries such as historic Seppelt’s and Best’s Great Western and newer vineyards such as Mt Langi Ghiran and Montara. Grampians wines are known for their strong berry flavours and soft tannins.

After leaving the mountainous terrain of the Grampians, the Great Grape Road swings east toward the soaring Pyrenees, a splendid backdrop for a tasting at the region’s 12 excellent wineries. The rich purple berry fruit flavours of the region’s cabernet sauvignin and shiraz offer hints of mint and eucalyptus. And its chardonnay sauvignon blanc show soft stone fruit flavours and a refreshing acidity.

From the Pyrenees, the Great Grape Road swings south to the nine wineries of the Ballarat region, where the climate is ideal for chardonnay and pinot noir. The long growing season here produces complex and subtle wines – flint and citrus in the chardonnay and spice and rich berry character in the pinot noir.