Albany Albany's climate is maritime, strongly shaped and moderated by the Southern Ocean; the standard description is that it is
Mediterranean, with moist, cool winters and warm, dry summers. Diurnal temperature range is minimal, and moderate humidity in summer assists ripening by reducing stress on the vines. Soil types of the region are either lateritic gravelly sandy
loams, or sandy loams derived directly from granite and
gneissic rocks.
Denmark Albany's coastal neighbour, Denmark, is marginally wetter and cooler, although the differences are not of significant magnitude. The climate is broadly similar to Albany; the varieties being grown and the wine styles are also similar.
Frankland River Frankland River is situated in the northwestern corner of the region, its western boundary touching the eastern side of Manjimup. It is the most northerly, inland subregion of Great Southern, still Mediterranean in terms of dominant winter-spring rainfall, but with greater continentality. The soils are chiefly derived from lateritic gravelly sandy loams, or sandy loams derived from granite, or gneissic rocks, and so are typically rich, red in colour and of uniform depth, with some areas carrying marri and karri loams. The climatic influences for the area favor medium-bodied, Bordeaux style red varieties, and with the excellent adaptation of slightly earlier-maturing Shiraz.
Mount Barker Mount Barker is generally regarded as the most important subregion of the Great Southern. Ripening month and average temperatures in the established Mount Barker vineyards are significantly lower than in the
Médoc, and significantly lower than in the lower warmer Bordeaux appellations such as
Saint Emilion and
Pomerol. The average ripening period sunshine hours at Mount Barker together with the whole season measure of sunshine hours are nearly identical with those of Bordeaux. Situated in the middle of the Great Southern, with strong continental aspects together with
marri soils and lateritic gravely and sandy loams provided from the granite rock backdrop, the region is suited to Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot noir.
Porongurup The
Porongorups are a small, isolated range of intrusive granite, whose slopes enjoy outstanding air drainage. The Porongorups ranges have one of the richest concentrations of plant species worldwide and are one of only 34 internationally significant hotspots for biodiversity. The Porongurup range is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, dating roughly around 1.1 to 1.4 billion years old which places its formation in the
Proterozoic Eon. It owes its formation to the massive tectonic forces that have shaped the southern and western coasts of Australia, a likely result of a collision between the Australian and Antarctic landmasses. The climate is Mediterranean with cool to mild winters and warm, sunny summers. While conditions are cooler and more humid higher up in the ranges with occasional snow on the taller peaks for short periods during winter and spring. The soils are ancient, deep karri loams derived from weathered granite. Porongurup is strongly indicated for all high quality white wine varieties such as Riesling, Traminer, Chardonnay, and red wine varieties such as Pinot noir, and Pinot Meunier. == History ==