Porongurup

The Porongurup Range is located east of Mount Barker with a National Park at the heart of the subregion. The range is only 12 kilometres long and 670 metres high, but features a luxuriant forest of giant karri trees and an understorey that puts on a brilliant display of wildflowers during spring and early summer. The range offers fantastic views of the Stirling Range to the north.

The spectacular spring wildflower season attracts large numbers of tourists, while good road systems provide access to the south coast with the spectacular coastline near Denmark and Albany a comfortable half-hour drive.

Now around 10 vineyards bask on the sunny northern slopes of the range in a climate well suited to cool climate viticulture.

The Wines

Wine grape production in the Porongurup subregion began with plantings of Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon in 1978, followed by more plantings in 1979 and 1983. Now around 10 vineyards bask on the sunny northern slopes of the Porongurup Ranges in a cool climate.

The subregion boasts a special climatic feature — a nocturnal thermal zone created by warm air rising above the denser cold air sliding down the hillsides and settling on the valley floor. This air drainage produces ideal conditions for ripening and reduces the risk of frost.

The Porongurup’s spectacular geomorphic granite range creates a variety of soil types, with karri loams and well drained loamy gravels the most productive.

The Porongurup’s reputation as a producer of distinctive cool climate wines, especially Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, continues to grow and many boutique producers source fruit from the subregion.

Shiraz, Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc are also produced with success.