Padthaway - Relishing Australia’s Best Unoaked Chard

Neighbouring the world-renowned Coonawarra, Padthaway wine region lies on the Limestone Coast zone of SA. The region is said to produce the finest Chardonnay wines in Australia that have earned it the name of ‘Chardonnay Country’. From its diverse flora and fauna to vast expanses of vineyards rich in the famous Terra Rossa soil, it’s bliss for every wine aficionado.

Also read: What is Chardonnay?

A Journey Through the Years

The history of Padthaway wine region dates back to 1944, as it was recognised for its potential to produce quality grapes. In the following years, research was conducted by CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation). In 1963, viticulture was finally introduced in the region by Karl Seppelt. As it flourished, Padthaway soon became home to some of the Australian world-renowned brands. It received AGI appellation in the year 1999.

The Terroir

Witnessing an overall Mediterranean climate, Padthaway wine region is considered slightly warmer than the neighbouring areas. It has a flat landscape with very subtle slopes and elevations. Generally, the sunshine hours are longer accompanied by lower rainfall thus, irrigation is essential.

Sharing its borders with the Coonawarra region, the vineyards in Padthaway are rich in Terra Rossa soil. This type of soil is layered with reddish-brown clay and loam over limestone, also comprising of stony patches in some areas. It may show variations in depth and is considered to be excellent for grape growing.

Must-Try Wines

The warm-climate Padthaway wine region has over the years, gained a reputation for its outstanding range of whites, especially the unoaked Chardonnay showcasing pure fruit flavours. Sauv Blanc, Riesling and Verdelho are other widely produced white wines in the region. It is equally famous for its high-quality and approachable reds. Shiraz is one of the most-harvested grape variety in Padthaway. The list is followed by stunning Cab Sav that is known to have a great potential for ageing.

Additional Read:

1. Australian Wine Regions: The Complete Guide
2. What’s the Best Chardonnay in Australia? Here Are the Bottles Worth Buying