Grampians: Seppelt Underground Cellar Tour & Sparkling Shiraz

Hand-dug wine cellars, gold rush tales and sparkling Shiraz in the Grampians

You’ll slip into Australia’s largest underground cellars with a local guide, hear real gold rush stories as you walk those hand-dug tunnels, then taste Seppelt’s iconic Sparkling Shiraz back in daylight. It’s part history lesson, part sensory adventure—and honestly, you might find yourself thinking about those cool stone walls long after you leave.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through heritage-listed underground cellars with a local expert sharing stories along the way, plus tastings of several sparkling wines—including their legendary Sparkling Shiraz—after you return above ground.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Seppelt underground wine cellars

• Join Seppelt tour guide
• Explore heritage-listed underground cellars
• Learn history of The Drives cellars
• Discover stories of previous owners
• See 3 kilometers of hand-dug cellars
• Enjoy tasting Seppelt sparkling wines
• Taste iconic Sparkling Shiraz

The Experience

Ever wondered what three million bottles of wine look like sleeping underground? I hadn’t, honestly, until we ducked into the old stone entrance at Seppelt Wines in Great Western. The air changed right away—cooler, a bit earthy, and it almost smelled like old books or rain on rocks. Our guide, Tom (who grew up nearby), flicked on his torch and grinned like he knew a secret. He told us these tunnels—the Drives—were dug out by gold miners who’d lost their luck above ground. “Took over sixty years,” he said, tapping the wall. You could see pick marks if you looked close enough.

We wandered through these endless corridors—three kilometers of them, apparently—which is wild to think about when you’re down there with just the echo of your own footsteps and Tom’s stories bouncing off the walls. He pointed out little chalk scribbles from decades ago (“That’s someone’s lunch order from 1920,” he joked). At one point I trailed behind just to listen to how quiet it got. There’s something about being under all that earth that makes you feel small but sort of safe at the same time.

Back in the light, my glasses fogged up for a second (classic), but then we were handed glasses of Seppelt’s famous Sparkling Shiraz. If you’ve never tried it—well, I hadn’t either. It’s red but fizzy and somehow tastes like Christmas pudding and blackberries at once. Someone asked about the recipe and Tom just winked—trade secret apparently. We hung around the cellar door for a while after that, talking about gold rush days and how people used to sneak bottles out tucked under their coats. I still think about that first sip in the sun outside—maybe it was just relief after all that cool darkness underground.

Top questions

How long is the Seppelt Wines Underground Cellar Tour?

The guided tour covers around 3 kilometers of underground cellars and usually lasts about an hour.

Are children allowed on the Seppelt Wines cellar tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome during the tour.

What wines do you taste on this Grampians cellar tour?

You’ll taste several sparkling wines including Seppelt’s iconic Sparkling Shiraz after exploring the cellars.

Is lunch included on this day trip to Seppelt Wines?

No lunch is included; the experience features guided cellar access and wine tastings only.

How do I get to Seppelt Wines from central Grampians?

Tours depart daily from Seppelt Wines Cellar Door in Great Western; transport isn’t included so self-drive is recommended.