Wrattonbully

Part of South Australia’s Limestone Coast, Wrattonbully was first known as ‘Koppamurra’ twenty-eight years ago. Potentially larger than either Padthaway or Coonawarra, but only Mildara, Hardys, Orlando & Yalumba have invested to date. The remaining land still the pastured playground of farming homesteads & doctors. 

As with its neighbours, Wrattonbully is blessed with an natural acquifier, albeit one whose salinity level is rising (currently 1000 ppm). The region is one degree celsius warmer than Coonawarra, but one degree cooler than Padthaway. Wrattonbully is notable for its 100 metre elevated undulating Naracoorte Hills, giving a diurnal shift and higher acidities; its lower relative humidity (minimising grape rot); its moderately low fertile terra rossa (loam over ironstone & limestone) soils allowing detailed pruning (vs the non-detailed/hedge pruning practised in Coonawarra) and consequently better fruit quality. Approx. 1000 ha planted with fresh, varietally pure Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay.

Recommended Producers

Yalumba’s Smith & Hooper vineyards, Brian Croser’s Tapanappa & the Nolan Family Wines are all good producers.