Mount Benson

New Australian wine-producing region located about 180 miles southeast of the city of Adelaide in south australia's Limestone Coast Zone. It's situated between the coastal towns of Kingston and Robe. Vines weren't planted here until 1989, but there's excitement about the area because its soil (terra rossa over limestone) is similar to that of the famous coonawarra region, about 65 miles inland to the east. The primary difference between the two areas is that Mount Benson is on the coast and has a slightly longer growing season. The climate and soils are very similar to the robe ranges region about 25 miles south. Mount Benson grows cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, merlot, pinot noir, chardonnay, sémillon, and sauvignon blanc.

This article is about the wine region in Australia. For Mount Benson on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, see Mount Benson (British Columbia).

Mount Benson (37°02′S 139°48′E / 37.033°S 139.8°E / -37.033; 139.8) is the name of a wine region in South Australia's Limestone Coast zone. It is an area near the coast between Kingston SE and Robe.

The first trial vineyard was planted in 1978. The first commercial planting was in 1989. It is a cool climate with strong winds off the Southern Ocean. There are outcrops of terra rossa soil over limestone.

The dominant grape varieties are the red varieties cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, with merlot, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc also planted. Like many other Australian regions, vignerons are experimenting with viognier.

See also

• South Australian wine

External links

• Region map
• Mount Benson Vignerons Association

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