Coonawarra is a wine region, on the Limestone Coast of South Australia, that is famous for the
Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced on its "terra rossa" soil. Coonawarra is a
Aborigional word meaning "Honeysuckle". It is about 380km southeast of Adelaide, close to the
border with Victoria.
History
The first vines were planted by John Riddoch at Yallum, South Australia in 1890.[1][2] The Penola Fruit Colony prospered until the First World War,
but was hit hard by the Great Depression, and the original Riddoch
cellars were converted to a distillery. Only the Redman family of Rouge Homme continued to produce table wine during this period,
during which Shiraz was the main grape variety grown.[1]
Fortunes changed when Samuel Wynn recognised the potential of the strip of terra rossa soil, and bought the original Riddoch
cellars in 1951. Led by Wynns and Penfolds, Coonawarra was to play a leading role in the
transformation of the Australian wine industry as it changed from making fortified wines
to conventional table wines.
Geology
Coonawarra's terra rossa soil is one of the most famous terroirs in the New World, covering
an area of just 15km x 2km north of Penola. It lies on a shallow limestone
ridge, raising it above the swampy land either side - it is no coincidence that the Riddoch
Highway follows this ridge as carters sought the firmest ground in times past. This special bright red soil is clearly
visible on an aerial photo.
To the west of the ridge lies black rendzina soil which is poorly drained, and so is much less favourable for vines. There is
also a 'transitional', or brown rendzina, soil which grows vines quite successfully.[1] This geological complexity led to many disputes during an eight year period
before Coonawarra was entered on the Register of Protected Names.[2] At least one vineyard (belonging to Penola High School) has the boundary pass through the
middle.
Climate
Being just 60km from the sea, Coonawarra has a somewhat maritime climate not dissimilar to Bordeaux. During the growing season, there is just 219mm rainfall (Oct-Apr), out of 585mm annually.
Extensive cloud colour keeps the temperature down to 19.1ºC in January.[1]
Grape varieties
Coonawarra is synonymous with classy Cabernet Sauvignon, full of plum and blackcurrant fruit. So much so, that successes with
other grape varieties is overlooked. In the early days Shiraz was the most widely-planted grape, and it produces some star wines
such as Wynns Coonawarra Estate Michael Shiraz (formerly Michael Hermitage). The limestone geology also suits Chardonnay and Riesling.
Wine Producers
- Balnaves of Coonawarra
- Banks Thargo Wines
- The Blok Estate
- Bowen Estate
- Brand's of Coonawarra
- Coonawarra Wine Gallery (Foster's Group).
Featuring: Rouge Homme, Jamieson's Run, Robertson's Well and Mildara, Lindemans, Penfolds and Rosemount Estate.
- DiGiorgio Family Wines
- Flint's of Coonawarra
- Highbank Vineyards
- Hollick Wines
- Jim Barry Wines
- Katnook Estate
- Koonara Wines
- Ladbroke Grove Wines
- Leconfield Coonawarra
- Majella Wines
- Murdock Wines Coonawarra
- Parker Coonawarra Estate
- Patrick T Wines
- Penley Estate
- Petaluma
- Pipwin Wines
- The Poplars Winery (Chardonnay
Lodge)
- Punters Corner Wines
- Redman Wines
- Rymill Coonawarra
- S Kidman Wines
- Stonehaven
- Wynns Coonawarra Estate
- Yalumba Coonawarra Estate
- Zema Estate
References
Coordinates: 37°′″S 140°′″E / -37.29, 140.838
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