Coonawarra

Coonawarra is considered the most renowned wine region in Australia. It has the ‘terra rossa’ soils and some great winemakers, and subsequently responsible for some of the best wines produced in Australia. Most notably red wines and Cabernet Sauvignon in particular. The first vineyard was planted in the 1880s at Yallum, (John Riddoch’s). The region did not establish its reputation as a winemaking area until the 1950s when Wynns and Penfolds purchased acreage on the back of a resurgence in the table wine market. Investment by large and small companies led to expansion, securing Coonawarrra’s status as a great wine. The climate is regarded as Mediterranean. The main wine styles: Red – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet-Merlot blend, Shiraz; White – Chardonnay.