Grampians Region

Mountainside Wines is a boutique vineyard and winery located at the base of Mount Cole in the Grampians region. Nestled in nature just under one hour from Ballarat Mountainside Wines offers visitors the opportunity to taste peppery Shiraz, Nebbiolo and fresh, lively Viognier. Visitors can relax and take in the views of Mt Cole State Forest, Mount Buangor State Park, and Langi Ghiran State Park. Bushwalking, cycling, camping and four-wheel driving in our State Parks also provide opportunities for guests and visitors to enjoy a multitude of experiences.

Planted in 1998 the vineyards are hand tended and hand-picked allowing the focus to remain on quality and consistency of flavour.  Our wines are made using grapes from a single vineyard and showcase the best of the terroir of the property.  Here at Mountainside Wines we have warm days, cool nights, and a long growing season.  Added to this are the unique soil conditions of granite loam over red clay allowing the true flavours of our location to shine in the wine.  This means wines produced in our part of the Grampians wine region are rich and full of flavour and aroma and represent a unique picture of the area.

Rotundone Road

The Rotundone Road takes you on a journey through the Australian bush to visit three boutique wineries – visit the cellar doors of Mount Langi Ghiran, Mountainside Wines and Dogrock wineries.

Rotundone Road

Attractions

J Ward

Originally the Ararat County Gaol, the prison was opened in 1861.  It was then converted to become a psychiatric facility that housed the criminally insane.   J Ward remained in use until January 1991 and in 1993 it was re-opened as a museum providing tours to the public.  Just 20 minutes west of Mountainside Wines you can obtain more information at the J Ward Website.

Aradale Lunatic Asylum

Aradale was originally built in 1860 to house the growing number of people considered lunatics in Victoria.  After five years of construction it opened in 1865 to accommodate the growing number of “lunatics” in the colony of Victoria.  At its height it held up to 1,000 patients and only closed in 1993.  Aradale is now open for tours to the public.  For information about day tours available visit Aradale.

Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre

Gum San tells the story of Ararat’s birth, the only Australian city to be founded by the Chinese.  The Museum brings the story of immigrant Chinese miners to life and highlights the influence of the Chinese culture on the economic, cultural and social development of Australia.  For information about Gum San visit the website.

Beeripmo Bush Walking

Part of Mt Cole the Beeripmo Walk is a two day, 21km walk requiring moderate fitness levels.  Camping is available and more information can be found here.

Langi-Ghiran State Park

Just 17km and 25 minutes from Mountainside Wines is the Langi-Ghiran State Park where you can see a small indigenous rock art painting.  For more information please visit the Bushwalking Blog.

One Day Trips

Dunkeld

Located 94km or about one hour and five minutes from Mountainside Wines, visit Dunkeld where you can travel the southern Grampians region and visit the Royal Mail Hotel Dunkeld for lunch or dinner where fresh produce is picked from the kitchen garden outside the restaurant and cooked that day.  For information about their venues and accommodation visit www.royalmail.com.au.

Dunkeld offers highlights such as the Old Dunkeld Bakery.  Opened in 1887 the old Dunkeld Bakery bakes in one of the few remaining operational wood fired ovens in Victoria.  Treat yourself to a cup of coffee and one of their beautiful house made cakes or pastries and don’t forget to take home a loaf of their artisan bread.  For more information visit www.dunkeldoldbakery.com.au.

Dunkeld also offers hiking at Mt Abrupt, The Piccaninny and Mt Sturgeon.  Other highlights include visiting the Dunkeld Arboretum and the Dunkeld and District Historical Museum.  For more information visit www.discoverdunkeld.com.

Avoca Hotel

Just 35 minutes from Mountainside Wines the Avoca Hotel is in the renowned Pyrenees Wine Region and offers dinner Wednesday to Sunday and lunch Thursday to Sunday.  The Hotel was originally built in the 1850s and since its renovation and relaunch in 2010 it has become recognised for its outstanding menu and range of wines and craft and boutique beers.

Trips Further Afield

Silo Art Trail and Stick Shed Two Day Trail

Visit the Silo Art Trail where you can view large scale portraits painted onto grain silos in Rupanyup, Sheep Hills, Brim, Rosebery Lascelles and Patchewollock.  The paintings acknowledge the Indigenous roots of the area together with the history as one of Australia’s most important grain growing areas.  All are painted by world renowned Australian Mural artists;  Adnate, Kaff-eine, Fintan Magee, Rone, Guido van Helten and Russian street artist Julia Volchkova.  For more information visit www.wimmeramalleetourism.com. 

From Mountainside Wines the Silo Art Trail is 110km or about one hour and 20 minutes.

Stick Shed

Not far from the start of the Silo Art Trail is the Murtoa Stick Shed formerly known as the Murtoa No. 1 Grain Store.  Located just 20kms west of Rupanyup the Stick Shed is the only remaining emergency grain store built during World War II.  Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00am to 12.30pm and Sunday 10.00am to 2.0pm.  For more information visit www.thestickshed.com.au. 

From Mountainside Wines the Stick Shed is 111km or about one hour 20 minutes.