Great Western has a prime spot on the Western Highway, surrounded by vineyards as far as the eye can see — that’s the western Victorian plains out there, with the Grampians rising up in the distance to the south. Wine has been coming out of this place since the 1860s & some of those old vines are still hanging in there. Underneath them, though, you’ll find hand-cut underground cellars that just disappear into the ground — a pretty cool sight to see.
If you’re into history, I’d say stop for a bit. There aren’t many Victorian wine towns that can throw 19th-century vines, cellars that actually still work, and three pretty distinct wineries all right on top of each other, so close you can walk between em all in a half day — that’s the best way to spend your time here. If you are staying for the wine, plan for a bit more time.
Among The Old Vines
At Seppelt Great Western, a lot of the story has to do withwhat’ss beneath the surface. Joseph Best started the winery back in 1865, and a few years later, some local gold miners started digging The Driv — a warren of old wine cellars — that ended up stretching out for roughly three kilometres.
Tours descend into the old passages and follow Great Western’s long connection with sparkling shiraz. As of September 2026, they run at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm, costing A$25 per adult, A$20 for concession holders, and A$10 per school-aged child; under-fives are free. Prices and times can change.
At Best’s Wines, the history is growing right in the soil. Henry Best ploughed the land at Concongella back in 1868 & you can still see the old red gum stables that now serve as the cellar door; hand-dug 19th-century cellars lie below. Out the back, the Nursery Block is home to well over 39 different grape varieties — some of ’em are still unidentified. Just around the corner from there, there are only 15 rows of Shiraz left from 1868 that you can still see.
Grampians Estate, on the other hand, is a bit of a newer kid on the block; its vines date from 1989, but the St Ethels vineyard takes the story back over 100 years, with Shiraz from 1878 & Riesling dating back to about 1890.
If your time is limited, please check Seppelt for the size of The Drives, Best’s for the old vines & Grampians Estate for a smaller contemporary cellar door.
Beneath The Vineyards
The two underground experiences are quite different. Seppelt’s Drives took more than 60 years to excavate and eventually reached about 3 kilometres in length. Best’s cellars are smaller and hand-dug, with a free self-guided route beneath the winery.
I would see both if wine history is the draw. Seppelt has scale; Best’s feels closer to the vineyard and the old working winery. Neither is simply an extension of a wine tasting.
Wine Country With A Long Memory
The dates tell their own story. Vines went into the historic St. Peter’s vineyard in 1863. Joseph Best established the Great Western winery in 1865. Henry Best bought Concongella the following year and planted vines in 1868.
Then came sparkling wine. In 1890, Hans Irvine employed French winemaker Charles Pierlot, who helped establish méthode traditionnelle production here. Sparkling shiraz has remained part of Great Western’s identity ever since.
Shiraz still anchors the wider Grampians Wine region, with Riesling another important variety. At Best’s Concongella vineyard, powdery loam lies over deep clay. Soil is only part of the equation: climate, old-vine material, and vineyard management also shape the local winemaking terroir.
Beyond The Cellar Door
Wine sets the pace here, but the hours between tastings needn’t be complicated.
Salingers Cafe serves breakfast and lunch in the village centre, with the General Store next door for takeaway food and supplies. The Great Western Hotel brings a country-pub counterpoint: seasonal food, a beer garden and a regional wine list featuring local producers.
The calendar has its louder moments. The Seppelt Great Western Cup, traditionally held over the Australia Day long weekend, brings thoroughbred racing to town, while local heritage trails pick up quieter threads of the village’s past.
Without an interest in wine, Great Western can be a short stop before The Grampians. For old Australian vineyards and winemaking history, give it the better part of the day.
Getting Here And Staying Nearby
Great Western is on the Western Highway, around 230 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. Stawell is the nearest practical regional base; Halls Gap puts you closer to The Grampians, its walking tracks and lookouts.
If several wineries are on the day’s itinerary, arrange a designated driver or other transportation before the first tasting.
Before You Go
As of September 2026, Seppelt Great Western opens daily from 10 am–5 pm. Best’s operates 10 am–5 pm Monday to Saturday and 11 am–4 pm Sunday. Grampians Estate lists daily opening but notes that closing times can vary.
If The Drives are a priority, book the Seppelt cellar tour first and arrange the rest of the day around it. Recheck opening hours, tasting arrangements, prices and food service before setting out.
