GREAT WESTERN Great Western is small wine development town midway between Stawell and Ararat. Great Western was made famous during the 70’s and 80’s with the Great Western Champagne. One of Australia’s first sparkling varietals to take on the champagne market. Great Western was made famous with the launch of the ‘champagne’. Great Western today is a drive-through locality, but the wine growing continues to succeed and many first rate and quality wines are being produced at the Seppelt's Winery. The first European settlers in the Great Western area were sheep graziers in the 1840s and closer settlement began with the discovery of gold during the Victorian gold rush. The first vineyards in the Great Western area were established by two Frenchmen who met at the gold diggings at Daylesford. Following their example, Joseph Best and his brother Henry established vineyards in 1865. Following Joseph's death in 1888, the property was purchased by Hans Irvine. Irvine imported staff from France and dedicated himself to establishing a sparkling wine of comparable quality of French champagne. In 1918, Irvine sold the winery to his friend and Australian wine pioneer, Benno Seppelt. The Great Western Hotel is a century plus hotel that has served continuously at this location. The Anglican is the only surviving denomination on Great Western. The Great Western War Memorial has a good profile on the main highway. Seppelt’s Great Western Winery has a museum of sorts within the tasting and retail shop. Should the traveller have an interest in wineries, or the timing is right for a coffee or refreshment a look over of the town is in order.