The Rise of Alternative Varietals in Western Australia

In recent years, Australian wine lovers have embraced a broader spectrum of grape varieties, often grouped under the banner of alternative varietals. This evolving palate is now reflected in the vineyard, with lesser-seen — often Mediterranean — varieties taking root and offering exciting new expressions that respond to both changing climates and shifting tastes.

These varieties are not ‘alternative’ in the sense of novelty. Many, including grenache, have long-standing roots in Australian viticulture and were once widely planted across the country. What makes them distinctive today is the fresh perspective they bring: wines of elegance, vibrancy and varietal flavour, offering a departure from more heavily worked styles. They are wines made for modern palates — thoughtful, expressive, and a pleasure to drink.

Mediterranean Varieties in Western Australia: A Natural Evolution

Mediterranean varieties, known for their ability to thrive in warm, dry conditions, are proving remarkably well suited to both Australia’s climate and contemporary wine preferences. This natural fit has seen renewed focus on grapes such as grenache, mourvèdre (mataro), tempranillo, fiano, arneis, vermentino, and nebbiolo, some of which have been quietly cultivated here for decades.

These varieties bring several advantages to the vineyard and the glass:

• Heat and drought tolerance: Many Mediterranean varieties require less irrigation and demonstrate resilience during warmer vintages.
• Textural appeal: These grapes often produce wines with generous aromatics, fine tannins and moderate alcohol, ideal for modern palates.
• Food-friendliness: Savoury structure, aromatic lift and elegance make them ideal for contemporary Australian dining.

The Great Southern region is emerging as a particularly exciting area for these expressive varieties; producing wines that nod to their European heritage while reflecting a sense of place that is uniquely Western Australian.

A Spotlight on Grenache

Among the so-called ‘alternative’ varietals, grenache holds a special place, both for its rich history in Australia and for the way it is being reimagined by today’s winemakers.

Originating in northern Spain, grenache (garnacha) arrived in Australia in the 19th century and was once one of the country’s most widely planted grape varieties. For much of the 20th century, it was used predominantly in fortified wines, prized for its generous yields and sweet, ripe fruit. As consumer tastes evolved and table wine production came to the fore, grenache fell out of favour, only to return in recent years as one of the country’s most compelling red wine styles.

Modern grenache is naturally expressive and fragrant, offering layers of red fruit, spice, and subtle earthy notes. On the palate, it delivers plush fruit, gentle spice and a silky texture, making it both versatile and exceptionally food-friendly. While best known in Australia as a blending wine in Rhône-inspired GSM (grenache, shiraz, mataro) blends, grenache is increasingly being celebrated as a varietal wine in its own right.

At Singlefile, we have long viewed the Frankland River subregion of the Great Southern as an ideal location for later-ripening red varietals. In 2020, we released our first Single Vineyard Frankland River Grenache from Riversdale Vineyard with a focus on preserving varietal expression through minimal intervention winemaking.

The resulting wine is fragrant, silky and savoury, offering vibrant red berry and herbal notes, lifted spice, and a fine, lingering texture. It’s a graceful example of grenache, shaped by the cooler Mediterranean climate of Frankland River and the unique conditions of the Great Southern.

The Future of Alternative Varietals in Australia

Whether long established or recently emerging, these so-called ‘alternative’ varietals are reshaping the Australian wine narrative. Mediterranean grapes are now widely recognised as a natural fit for many regions, particularly as winemakers seek varieties that align with our evolving climate, regional terroir, and the tastes of a new generation of wine lovers.

At Singlefile, we’re proud to play a part in this movement, crafting wines that reflect both our regional identity and the global traditions that continue to inspire us.