Yet unlike the popular wine regions of Margaret River and the Barossa Valley, it is off the beaten track and has few tourists. Therein lies its attraction.
The road to the Porongurups region, east of Mt Barker is draped on either side with grape vines, glittering in the sun like golden chains. The rugged Stirling Mountain Ranges to the north add a sense of grandeur and drifting from sweeping paddocks are the unmistakable scents of sheep and hay.
I stopped the car and drank in the mesmerizing landscape. Under a huge blue sky, arcing from horizon to horizon huge gum trees kept watch over these valuable fickle trellises.
This is real Waltzing Matilda country with sheep, shearing sheds, kangaroos, distant mountain ranges and the intoxicating smell of the Australian bush. Added to this slice of Australiana in a remote region of South Western Australia, comes a flourishing and sophisticated wine industry and luxury accommodation equal to the best in Australia.
To add to the pleasure of the day, I sampled the award winning wines of 4 of the regions finest wineries and stayed overnight on a farm with breathtaking views of the distant mountains.
4 Award Winning Wineries.
1. Zarephath.
Zarephath wines are made from premium quality fruit grown by members of the Christ Circle, an independent monastic community. The vineyard is situated at the eastern end of the Porongurups on well drained granite soil. Their cellar door sales include Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The 2006 Chardonnay was a gold medal winner at the 2007 Qantas Wine Show.
2. Abbey Creek.
Abbey Creek vineyard is on the northern slopes of the Porongurup Range. It is a small family owned vineyard producing Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon /Merlot. The cool climate of the Porongurup is ideally suited to these varieties.
3. Jingalla.
Jingalla wines are located on the northern slopes of the Porongurup Range. As well as the standard varieities popular in this region, this winery also produces a range of individual blends as well as a Port and Liqueur Muscat.
4. Springviews Wine.
This winery is located on the cooler southern slopes of the Porongurup Range and is irrigated with a unique supply of ground water. The resulting wines have a unique balance, flavour and aroma. The three wines produced are Chardonnay, Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Luxury Accommodation at Cloud 9 Spa Chalets.
As I stood on the verandah of my accommodation looking north to the jagged peaks of the Stirling Ranges and watching kangaroos hopping in the paddocks in the gathering dusk, I found it hard not to be struck by the sheer Australian-ness of it all.
My home for the night was a new luxury cottage, one of 3 built on a farm in the middle of the Australian Outback.
Hosts Stan and Shelley Sypko had done everything to make my stay at their retreat a memorable experience. I was greeted with a complimentary bottle of local champagne and a warm inviting wood fire. After a luxury spa bath I enjoyed a home made pizza delivered to me personally by my host.
Cloud 9 Spa Chalets is a new venture by Stan and Shelley. Their goal is to provide first class accommodation in this developing wine region for visitors to use as a base to explore the other attractions of the region. These include mountain climbing and bush walking in one of the most scenic areas of Australia.
To those who want to discover the very best of Australia, "Travel Tips Australia" is the book for you. Australian travel expert Graeme Lanham outlines in easy to read style all you want to know about his homeland. Available at:
http://www.traveltipsaustralia.com
Free special report. (value: $57)
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