Great Western
Town known to all Australians as the name of a popular sparkling wine.
Great Western is the birthplace of viniculture in a district that is noted for its wineries. This small and charming town is situated on the Western Highway between Ararat and Stawell, 220 km north-west of Melbourne.

It was here that two Frenchmen, who met each other at the Daylesford diggings, set up vineyards in 1863 as the soil and climate reminded them of their native land. They were soon producing wines that won awards at international competitions.

Inspired by their example, Joseph Best began setting up his own vineyard in 1865 with cuttings from the Trouettes. His brother Henry did likewise just north of town. Both of these wineries are still operational. In fact the descendant of Joseph's modest patch is now the enormous Seppelt's which is the town's major employer and one of the country's major producers of sparkling wine.

Joseph died in 1887 and the new owner and the property was purchased by Hans Irvine who dedicated himself to producing a champagne of comparable quality to the French item. He journeyed to France to study the process and brought back French employees, enjoying great success in subsequent years. Thus Mark Twain observes in Following the Equator (1895): 'The Stawell region...has great vineyards and produces exceptionally fine wines. One of these vineyards - the Great Western, owned by Mr. Irving [sic] - is regarded as a model'. Irvine sold out to Seppelts in 1918.

The Great Western Champagne Picnic Races are held on the Australia Day long weekend and the inaugural Great Western Bushriders' Challenge was held in November 1998.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
The nearest information centre is at Ararat, tel: 1800 657 158.

Garden Gully Winery
Just south of Great Western, along the Western Highway, is Garden Gully which was established in 1985. It produces a sparkling pinot, grenache, riesling, shiraz and sparkling burgundy and it is open from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on weekdays and from 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on weekends. There are barbecue and picnic facilities, tel: (03) 5356 2400.

Great Western Winery
Just off the Western Highway, along the Moyston Rd (which heads west out of town), is the Great Western Vineyard. It was established in 1865 by Joseph Best with cuttings from the Trouettes. He employed goldminers to construct the barrel-vaulted cellars which were cut from decomposed granite. Best died in 1887 and the new owner, Hans Irvine, dedicated himself to producing a champagne of comparable quality to the French item. He extended the cellars further, as did the next owners, Seppelt's, who bought the property in 1918.

The small white mud-brick building adjacent the sales shop is known as 'Shaft House' (1860s) as it was originally the only entrance, via a six-metre shaft, to the subterranean cellars which extend for 3 km and contain up to two million bottles of maturing sparkling wine. They are classified by the National Trust.

Today it is an enormous complex and the town's major employer with 150 permanent employees and up to 150 casuals, varying seasonally. Opening hours are from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily with guided tours at 10.30 a.m., 1.30 p.m. and 3.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The tours are only held on Sundays in the Victorian school holidays and on holiday long weekends,tel: (03) 5361 2222.

Best's Wines (Concongella)
The rustic charm of Best's Wines is located on the banks of Concongella Creek. The property was taken up in 1866 by Henry Best, the brother of Joseph. He planted the first vines here in 1868. The property was sold to established winemakers, the Thomsons, in 1920. To get there head north of Great Western for 2 km then take the signposted turnoff on the right. Opening hours are from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on Saturdays and public holidays. During school holidays they are open on Sundays from 12.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. They produce a large range of table wines (including a methode champenoise) and fortifieds. A self-guided cellar walk brochure is available, tel: (03) 5356 2250.

	Motels
	Great Western Motel/Hotel Western Hwy Great Western VIC 3377 Telephone: (03) 5356 2270 Rating: **
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	The Hermitage at Great Western Guesthouse Western Hwy P.O. Box 546 Great Western VIC 3377 Telephone: (03) 5356 2361 Rating: ***