Underground wine has a secret life. In Great Western, Seppelt brings you into the hand-dug underground cellars known as The Drives, then ties it all to the story behind Australia’s Sparkling Shiraz.

I love the scale and the engineering feel: the Drives run about 3 kilometers and can hold over 3 million bottles. I also love the ending tasting, with guide Ricky walking you through Seppelt’s sparkling wines, including Sparkling Shiraz.

One thing to consider: the tour lasts about 2 hours, and part of that time is underground, so wear comfy shoes and expect it to feel cooler in enclosed spaces.

Key highlights at a glance

• The Drives are huge: hand-dug underground cellars stretching 3 kilometers
• Built the hard way: excavation began in 1868 by gold miners, taking over 60 years
• A real numbers-first cellar story: capacity over 3 million bottles
• Sparkling Shiraz heritage: Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz dates back to the early 1890s
• You taste at the end: sparkling wine tastings are included with the tour
• Small-group vibe: it’s a private tour for your group

Entering Seppelt Great Western’s underground world

If you like your wine tourism to be specific, not just scenic, this one delivers. Seppelt Great Western’s Underground Cellar Tour takes you into The Drives, their heritage-listed underground cellar network. And you don’t just wander, you get the reason behind the walls, the tunnels, and the bottles that have lived down there for generations.

What makes it feel different is the pairing of places and story. You learn how the cellars were built, how they were used, and how that setting connects to the creation of Australia’s Sparkling Shiraz. It’s not a vague “wine is cool” lecture. It’s a walk with details, and it ends with a tasting that helps you put the whole idea into perspective.

Meeting at the Seppelt Cellar Door in Great Western

The tour starts at Seppelt Cellar Door, 36 Cemetery Rd, Great Western VIC 3374. You’ll meet there, check in as needed, and then the group heads out for the underground portion and the tastings afterward.

Two practical notes that matter here. First, plan to arrive a few minutes early so you are not rushed. Second, since the activity ends back at the meeting point, you can time your next stop without worrying about a long commute or a different drop-off location.

Stop 1: Exploring The Drives underground cellars

The heart of the experience is the underground visit to Seppelt Great Western’s heritage-listed cellars, called The Drives. This is where the tour earns its keep, because the scale is the story.

The Drives are hand-dug underground cellars excavated by out-of-work gold miners starting in 1868. Work took over 60 years to complete. When you’re down there, you’re seeing not just storage space, you’re seeing a long project that literally shaped the property.

And the numbers help you understand why this matters. The cellars stretch for 3 kilometers and are capable of holding over 3 million bottles. That’s the kind of capacity that changes how you think about wine. Instead of imagining a few cellar rooms, you’re picturing a whole underground system built for serious production and long-term aging.

Why the underground setting is more than a photo stop

Sure, it’s photogenic in a slow, moody way. But the bigger value is how the underground environment supports wine storage. Cooler, stable conditions help protect wine during aging. On this tour, you connect that practical reality with the historic reason the cellars were built in the first place.

The guide also shares stories tied to the historic cellars, including tales of previous owners and the wines they developed. That kind of human detail makes the space feel less like a warehouse and more like a working chapter in Australian winemaking.

What can feel challenging

The biggest “downside” is also the most obvious one: you are underground for a meaningful chunk of the 2-hour tour. Even if you like caves, you’ll still want comfy shoes and a steady pace. If you get uncomfortable in enclosed spaces, consider it in advance. The good news is that the whole tour keeps moving, and you’re not stuck waiting around without a purpose.

Emerging into sparkling wine culture

After you come out of The Drives, the tour shifts gears. You get a journey through Seppelt’s sparkling wines, including the iconic Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz. This matters because it ties the underground storage story to the end product.

Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz was first produced in the early 1890s. So you’re not just learning about cellar construction from the 1800s. You’re connecting that groundwork to one of Australia’s best-known styles and a brand identity that has long roots.

This is where the tour does something smart for value. If all you saw was storage tunnels, you might wonder, so what. With the sparkling focus, you understand why the cellars matter to the final result.

Tasting at the end: what you actually get to sample

The tour includes sparkling wine tastings. That’s an important part of the value, because you leave with both context and a sensory takeaway.

You can expect the tasting to include Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz, plus other Seppelt sparkling wines as part of the guided journey. The tasting is included in the $20.08 price, so you’re not adding extra cost just to have a chance to taste.

Alcohol rules you should know

There’s one important detail for planning: wine tastings are excluded for any participant under 18. If you are traveling with younger family members, this matters for what they can do during the tasting portion.

Price and value for a 2-hour guided tour

At $20.08 per person for about 2 hours, this tour sits in the “high value, low fuss” category. Here’s why.

You get a guided tour inside an experience that would be hard to replicate on your own. The Drives are not just a generic cellar door stop. You’re paying for interpretation, scale context, and storytelling tied directly to the property’s historic winemaking.

Then you get the tastings included. For many wine tours, tasting is the add-on. Here, it’s part of what you’re already paying for. So if your goal is to learn and taste without stretching your budget, this works.

Also, it’s a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. That can make the stories feel less like a performance and more like a conversation, even if the tour stays structured.

Who this tour fits best

This is a great match if you enjoy winemaking details and you like “why this exists” explanations. It’s also a smart choice if you want a wine experience that’s not dependent on fancy bus rides or long transfers.

You’ll likely enjoy it most if:

• You like historic settings and can appreciate the big numbers behind storage
• You want guided context, not just a self-guided walk
• You enjoy sparkling wine, especially Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz
• You’re the type who reads the signs, then asks follow-up questions

It may be less ideal if you strongly dislike enclosed spaces or you need a completely open, airy experience throughout.

Tips to make your tour smoother

These are small, practical moves that help you enjoy it more.

• Wear comfy, grippy shoes. Underground spaces call for steady footing.
• Bring a light layer. Underground areas can feel cooler, so dress like you might want one more layer.
• Go with a tasting mindset. If you like learning through comparison, pay attention to how the guide frames what you’re tasting.
• Ask about Sparkling Shiraz. The early 1890s origin is a key thread, and your guide can connect it to the cellar story.
• Let time work for you. Since it ends back at the meeting point, plan your next activity nearby so you don’t have to rush out afterward.

The guide factor: stories you actually remember

One of the standout themes from the tour experience is how good the guide can make the details land. In particular, Ricky is mentioned for bringing the tour to life with crisp, clear delivery and real passion for the cellars and the wines.

That matters more than people think. Underground tours are easy to make boring. It’s just walls and barrels unless the guide turns the information into something you can picture. When the guide does it well, you leave thinking differently about storage, about how wine is protected over time, and about why Sparkling Shiraz became such an important identity for Seppelt.

Should you book the Seppelt Underground Cellar Tour?

Book it if you want a compact, 2-hour experience that mixes historic cellar scale with a guided tasting you can actually enjoy. The combination of The Drives being hand-dug, starting in 1868, the 3-kilometer length, and the over 3 million bottle capacity gives you real substance. Then the tour pays you back with tastings of Seppelt sparkling wines, including Sparkling Shiraz, and that connection between place and bottle makes it feel cohesive.

Don’t book it if enclosed spaces are a deal-breaker for you, or if you’re only interested in a quick photo stop with minimal guidance. This tour is built for learning and tasting, not just wandering.

If you like your wine travel practical, story-driven, and worth the money, this one is an easy yes.

FAQ

Where does the Seppelt Underground Cellar Tour start?

It starts at Seppelt Cellar Door, 36 Cemetery Rd, Great Western VIC 3374, Australia.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $20.08 per person.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs for about 2 hours.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, you receive a mobile ticket.

Is this tour private?

Yes, it’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What is included in the experience?

You get a guided tour and sparkling wine tastings.

Are under-18 guests allowed to take part in tastings?

Alcoholic wine tastings are excluded for any participant under 18.

What wines do you taste at the end?

The tasting includes Seppelt’s sparkling wines, including Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz.

What is The Drives at Seppelt Great Western?

The Drives are the heritage-listed underground cellars, hand-dug beginning in 1868, taking over 60 years to complete, stretching 3 kilometers, and holding over 3 million bottles.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.