5 Unique Wine Experiences in the Grampians
A personal note from Josephina – Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park
After the year we’ve had—with bushfires sweeping through parts of the Grampians—there’s been a quiet but powerful return to life.
Green shoots now push up through scorched earth, the wildlife is reappearing, and the people? We’re still here—still welcoming, still doing what we love, and still pouring good wine.
As someone who has lived and worked in this region for years, I want to share a few wine experiences you might not have heard of. They’re off the beaten track. Intimate. Full of character. And they offer more than a sip—they offer a story.
Whether you’re staying with us at Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park or exploring the area from Grampians Getaway, these are five of my favourite places to visit. And at the end, I’ll tell you about one that’s especially close to home—and heart.
1. The Royal Mail Hotel Wine Cellar – Dunkeld
Did you know the largest private wine collection in the Southern Hemisphere lives just an hour south of Halls Gap?
Just over an hour’s drive from Halls Gap, in the foothills of Mount Sturgeon, you’ll find the Royal Mail Hotel—a place known for fine dining, beautiful gardens, and one of the most extraordinary wine cellars in the Southern Hemisphere.
Hidden beneath the hotel is a wine lover’s dream: a 30,000-bottle cellar that includes the largest private collection of Bordeaux and Burgundy in the Southern Hemisphere. I still remember the first time I stood inside—it’s quiet, cool, and full of history. And
the sommeliers? They don’t just pour wine—they tell stories that make each bottle come alive.
They run a Wine Tutorial & Cellar Viewing from Wednesday to Saturday at 3.30pm, and for $25 per person, you’ll be guided through a comparative tasting right there in the cellar. It’s intimate, fascinating, and so worth it. Bookings are essential, and while hotel guests get first preference, they do welcome external guests if space allows.
And if you need another reason to go—the drive to Dunkeld is absolutely beautiful right now. Post-bushfires, there’s something moving about seeing the landscape regenerate — green shoots pushing up through blackened soil, paddocks softening again. Making the trip is not only a special day out—it’s also a quiet way to support our neighbours and the broader recovery of the region.
2. Grampians Wine Cellar – Halls Gap
Right in the centre of Halls Gap is one of my absolute favourite places to visit—Grampians Wine Cellar, or just “Simon’s” as most of the locals call it.
Simon Freeman first fell in love with the Grampians while working as a sommelier at the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld. Later, he joined the original team at Brae (yes, that Brae—one of Australia’s most knowledge of producers from all over the world. celebrated restaurants) where he ran the floor for five years. When he and his
partner were expecting their first child, they returned to the Grampians with a dream to build something new—a space that would celebrate the local wine scene while drawing on his incredible
That vision became Grampians Wine Cellar. It’s a beautiful, welcoming space where Simon hand-picks everything—from small-batch local wines (many from producers without cellar doors) to international bottles with personal stories and memories behind them. He also stocks his favourite whiskies, craft beers, gins, sakes, and the
odd delicious surprise.
But what I love most is Friday nights. That’s when the shop transforms into a cosy little wine bar, and you’ll often find me there—perched on a stool, catching up with friends, chatting with new visitors, or simply enjoying a glass of something special.
It’s a real locals’ hangout, but it’s welcoming to everyone. Whether you live around the corner or are here for the weekend, you’ll feel right at home. And without fail, I always leave with a little takeaway bottle tucked under my arm—a cheeky weekend treat I know I’ll enjoy.
This isn’t just a wine shop. It’s a place where people connect. Where visitors and locals mingle. And where you’re guaranteed to learn something new from Simon’s encyclopaedic (and very approachable) wine knowledge.
3. Seppelt Wines Underground Cellars – Great Western
This one truly is unlike anything else in Australia.
At Seppelt Wines in Great Western, you can step beneath the surface—literally—into a labyrinth of hand-dug tunnels known as “The Drives.” Over three kilometres of underground cellars, dug out by gold rush miners starting in 1868, still line the heart of the winery today. It’s not just a tour—it’s a walk through time.
These are the largest underground cellars in the Southern Hemisphere, and when you're down there, surrounded by cool air and rows of maturing wine, you get a real sense of what pioneering winemaking must have felt like in Victoria’s early days. It’s atmospheric, slightly mysterious, and absolutely fascinating.
There are a few different tours to choose from, but I always recommend the Underground Cellar Tour, which runs daily and finishes with a tasting of their Sparkling Shiraz—a wine style that was actually first created right here over a century ago. You’ll also get a glimpse of the Spectator Cellars, which are sometimes used for rustic, luxurious dining experiences (imagine candlelight, sandstone walls, and paired wines…).
Personally, I’m fascinated by the rich migrant history tied to this place—particularly the stories of the early European settlers and the miners who helped carve out these tunnels by hand. Every time I visit, I find something new to appreciate. If you go (and I hope you do), make sure to ask your guide about the story of “champagne” !
This is more than a wine tasting—it’s a living museum. And it’s right here in our backyard.
4. Best’s Wines – Great Western
There’s something timeless about Best’s Wines. Founded in 1866, it’s one of Australia’s oldest family-run wineries, and stepping into their cellar door feels like stepping into history—with a good glass in hand. For a golf coin donation you can take a self guide tour through the underground cellar!
While they once hosted Museum Nights showcasing rare back-vintage wines, they’ve now introduced something even more special: The Stables Dinner.
Held only a few times a year, this is a long-table, three-course dining experience inside their old horse stables, lovingly restored and full of character. With just 24 seats available, it’s intimate, warm, and incredibly well-curated. The food is thoughtfully prepared by local legends Jody and Co Catering, and each dish is paired with a selection of Best’s finest wines.
I haven’t made it to a Stables Dinner yet myself, but I’ve heard it’s the kind of night that leaves you glowing—a mix of beautiful food, exceptional wine, and that quiet magic that happens when good people come together in a special place.
And even if you can’t time your visit with a dinner, the cellar door itself is still a must. Their Bin No. 1 Shiraz is a personal favourite, and their tasting experience gives you a sense of both the craft and the history that lives in every bottle.
If you’re looking for something a little bit special—and something to build a weekend around—this is it.
5. Black & Ginger Wine Shed – Pomonal
Right next to Barney’s Bar & Bistro in the heart of Pomonal, you’ll find a little place that’s become one of my favourites—Black & Ginger’s Wine Shed.
Started by high school mates Hadyn Black and Darcy Naunton, Black & Ginger was born from a shared love of wine, the outdoors, and doing things a little differently. Together they’ve created a label that feels both fresh and thoughtful, with a deep connection to the Grampians.
Their wines are small-batch, minimal-intervention, and full of character—much like the Wine Shed itself. It’s relaxed, beautifully styled, and genuinely welcoming. They don’t have a traditional cellar door vibe. Instead, it feels more like a creative space where you’re invited to slow down, taste, ask questions, and enjoy.
One thing I really want to try is their Jam & Juice experience. You taste four wines, each matched to its own Spotify playlist, one made by Hadyn and one by his now lovely wife Lucy! Pop on a pair of headphones (or bring your own) and let the music and wine guide the moment. It’s simple, fun, and a great way to enjoy wine with all the senses.
Talking about Lucy, Black & Gingers latest release—Lucy’s Rosé—was recently featured on Sunrise, and has been getting lots of praise by presenter Katie Brown! #lucytastegood! It’s fresh, juicy, and full of energy—just like the team behind it.
Make sure to check opening hours before heading out.
TIP: You can easily pair a visit to Black & Ginger with lunch/dinner next door at Barney’s Bar & Bistro!
A Little Closer to Home… Fallen Giants Vineyard – Halls Gap
Just five minutes from the park, Fallen Giants is our most local winery—and one we’re incredibly proud of.
They’ve created a beautiful space at the foot of the mountains, with wines that consistently punch above their weight. There’s a playground for the kids, picnic tables, and a fridge stocked with local produce so you can build your own cheese platter and relax at your own pace.
Sadly, Fallen Giants lost their entire 2025 vintage due to smoke taint from the bushfires. For a small vineyard, that’s a heartbreaking loss. But they’re still open, still pouring, and still smiling.
Now is the time to visit. To sit under the gum trees, taste what’s still thriving, and support what matters most—local people, doing beautiful things.
Final Thoughts
There’s more to wine than what’s in the glass. It’s about the land, the people, the stories—and how we come together.
These five experiences (and our local legend, Fallen Giants) show a different side of the Grampians. One that’s a little slower. A little more grounded. And all the more rewarding.
If you do visit any of these spots during your stay, let us know. We’d love to hear what you discover.
With warmth,
Josephina
Owner – Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park