Formed in 1973, when known as the 'Mount Barker- Frankland Wine Producers Association,we have now become the Great Southern Wine Producers Association which represents all the five sub- regions of the Great Southern. In 2005, the constitution was changed so the GSWPA could be operated under a board structure, doing away with the old committee way of operating which had been used since the formation of the association.
These changes allow for board members to be drawn from all sized operations within the whole Great Southern. An innovative group of focused wine professionals has been drawn together to further the aspirations of our region. An immediate result of these changes has been the Five Virtues Shiraz promotion plus a new marketing and promotion plan to take us forward as a united region.

In the late 1950s the Western Australian Government of the time was concerned that the failing Apple Industry in the Great Southern would create a huge problem for the farming Industry in the Great Southern. They invited Professor Olmo a world class Viticulturist from California and Dr Penfold Hyland from NSW, to visit WA to investigate the Southern Regions to see whether there was a possibility of starting a Grape growing industry.

 

[ read more about the history of the Great Southern region]

 

Five Sub-regions make up the Region of the Great Southern. They are: Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker and The Porongorups. There are six major wineries spread throughout the region - Howard Park, West Cape Howe, Ferngrove, Alkoomi, Goundrey Wines, Plantagenet Wines with one major processing winery in the Porongorup Winery. As well as this there are large number of processing facilities run by small to medium sized companies that process their own as well as other wine labels wines on contract.
This structure leads to a great diversity across the whole region with in recent times an influx of very experienced, talented wine makers coming into the region to man the range of wineries mentioned above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WA's coolest wine-growing region, the Great Southern boasts the warm days and cool nights that are so beneficial for premium wine-grape growing. The regional rainfall average is a relatively low 600-750mm per annum, helping promote more intense fruit flavours.

 

Denmark and Albany exhibit strong maritime influences but continental influences, particularly temperature variability, increase significantly in the imland sub-regions.

 

Soil type varies from gravelly sandy loams with good drainage to granite and gneissic sandy loams, to the highly fertile rich karri loams around Denmark that require careful vine management. Fertility and typical yields are moderate to low in most other areas, encouraging excellent fruit intensity.

 

One of the things to note is that many wine companies situated in other wine regions of W.A source grapes from this region because of our unique ability to produce a wide range of varieties of exceptional quality. Prime examples amongst others are Shiraz, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Chardonnay.

Five Virtues is the result of the vision of a group of Great Southern wine producers and associated industry backers, united on a unique project to promote both wine and region.

 

[ read more about the 'Five Virtues' Shiraz story ]