Everyone’s looking for a getaway and those in the know are heading away from the crowds to WA’s other premium wine region, the Great Southern. With several winery stays available, now is the perfect time to discover the Great Southern Wine Region.
By Dianne Bortoletto
Alkoomi Wines
Third generation family business, Alkoomi Wines in Frankland River, 330 kilometres from Perth, has a two-bedroom fully equipped chalet on site that sleeps up to seven people. Suitable for families, rates start from $120 per night or $650 per week.
The original 1,220-hectare property was purchased by Vic and Netta Lange in 1946. They named their rugged property Alkoomi after the local Aboriginal word that means “a place we choose”.
The first vines were planted in 1971 by their son Merv and his wife Judy, who decided to stop selling their grapes and start making wine themselves in 1979.
The sustainable operation has grown from one hectare under vine to 105 hectares at the estate vineyard and is run by Vic and Netta’s granddaughter Sandy Hallet and her husband Rod who plan to continue to build on the family legacy. Alkoomi also has a 14-hectare olive grove and produces high quality olive oil.
Castelli Estate
Just three kilometres from the town centre of Denmark is coveted James Halliday 5 Star Winery, Castelli Estate situated on 120 acres with a Tudor-style building perched upon the hill top.
The working winery has been in operation for 35 years and offers bed and breakfast accommodation in five ultra-modern guest rooms with luxurious linens, mini bar and mesmerising views.
Castelli Estate is offering a 10 per cent discount on all accommodation bookings.
The restaurant, Castelli In Cucina, is open for lunch Wednesday to Monday and dinner on Friday and Saturday. Reserve a table and enjoy delicious, hearty Italian food with pasta, gnocchi and bread all made in-house and ingredients sourced from their garden or local suppliers. The best news is that the restaurant on site negates the need for a designated driver. Cosy up in front of the stone fireplace in the cellar door or stroll around the surrounding rose garden outside.
Monkey Rock Winery
Also situated in pretty Denmark is Monkey Rock Winery, which has the Turicum Chalets, a pet-friendly winery and farm stay with rates starting from $120 per night. There are three chalets that each have two-bedrooms and one of those chalets also has an attached studio.
Guests who stay three nights or more receive a complimentary bottle of Monkey Rock wine. Monkey Rock produces all natural, unfined wine with no added sulphites.
The combined farm and winery accommodation offers lots of activities for kids and then there’s the cellar door for adults. It also has a cidery on site.
The 200-acre property backs onto the Williams Bay national park. Guests can hike to the beach, stroll or a local winery or sit back and watch the visiting kangaroos from their patio.
Poacher’s Ridge
The fully self-contained Gamekeeper’s cottage at Poacher’s Ridge winery offers sweeping views of the Porongurup Ranges and comes with a cosy stone fireplace.
The location of Poacher’s Ridge in the middle of the triangle of Porongurup, Albany and Denmark makes it easy for visitors to access many of the region’s attractions.
There are four pet alpacas on site named after Faulty Towers characters: Sibel, Basil, Madge and Manuella.
A coffee machine, breakfast provisions and Poacher’s Ridge preservative-free olive oil are included in the rates that start at $190 per night.
What else?
Crisp, fresh air, star-filled nights and days that last forever, the Great Southern Wine Region is where the city meets the sea, the ocean meets the mountains, and sophistication meets country-style.
Not only does the Great Southern Wine Region produce outstanding wines, particularly exceptional Riesling and Shiraz, it’s also stunningly beautiful with a number of experiences for visitors from old growth forests to rugged coastlines and incredible local produce. Avoid the hoards of the tourists and be rewarded as you discover the Great Southern Wine Region. Discover greatness.