Coonawarra - A Journey to the Land of Rich Vineyards

A four hour drive from South Australia’s capital city, Adelaide, is all worth if it lands you to this picturesque Coonawarra wine region. Located in northern Penola, the small town of Coonawarra is full of big surprises for a wine aficionado. The magnificent vineyards accompanied by stone buildings at farm, splendid gum trees and the woolshed with roughshod iron will take you back in time.

The History

Agriculture in Coonawarra started in the mid 1800’s by the settlers who were attracted by fertile and flat land. Few years later, John Riddoch, a Scottish settler introduced winemaking into the scene by planting first grape vines in the year 1891. Following his success, the Redmann family, in 1908, also entered winemaking as a grape grower. However, during the same years, i.e., early 1900’s, the Coonawarra wine industry suffered great loss with the death of Riddoch in 1901.

Almost 50 years later, the region saw a resurgence with Wynns and Penfolds buying the Riddoch’s original cellars.

The Terroir

Experiencing a maritime climate, the Coonawarra terroir is very much similar to that of Bordeaux in France. A rich patch of terra rossa soil gives the region an edge over others. The soil type is very unique owing to the abundance of underlying limestone and the reddish-brown topsoil which is a result of rust formations in clay.

Must-Try Wines

Accredited as one of the country’s best red wine producer, the region is ruled by Cabernet Sauvignon. Very much like Bordeaux, the varietal shows a rich and firm structure. Shiraz occupying 21% of total produce is introduced with distinct minty and savoury regional characteristics. New winemakers have also introduced grapes like Merlot, Malbec, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay allowing the soil to do its magic with these varieties.

Presently, this small wine region inhabits around 24 cellar doors and various wineries. Continuing with the years old tradition of winemaking, Coonawarra wines over years has gained an international reputation. Order one now from Just Wines and enjoy the experience packed in a bottle just at your doorstep!

Additional Read

1. Coonawarra Wine Guide
   
2. Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon: The Complete Guide