Coonawarra

Coonawarra is a famous wine region located on South Australia's Limestone Coast, an hour's drive (37 miles) east from the ocean. Populated by Scottish and Irish immigrants during the mid 19th century, it was John Riddoch's love of horticulture that led him to setting up a fruit farm on the terra rossa soils of Katnook, later renamed as Coonawarra in 1897. 

Although Riddoch managed to plant vines & make wine before his death in 1901, it wasn't until the 1950s that the Wynn family relaunched the Coonawarra name, with the purchase of his winery. A trickle of corporate investment then followed (Mildara), before turning into a flood during the `60s & `70s. Now at approx 4000 ha, the controversial Coonawarra Geographical Indication zone encompasses prized terra rossa soils (free draining red loam over limestone over an aquifer) as well as not so noble turf, consisting of red sandy, brown loam and poorly drained black loam.

A low-lying cool area with a Mediterranean climate; moderate relative humidity (49%); at 59 metres, a similar altitude to the Médoc (47m), drier & 10% cooler, probably due to notable cloud-cover due the key months. Non-detail/hedge pruning shapes the vineyards, resulting in large canopies & relatively high pH juice. Cabernet Sauvignon is king, blended with Merlot matured in American oak with the capacity to age for up to 10 years.

Recommended Producers

Leading proponents include Wynns, Coonawarra, Bowen Estate, & Hollick.