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| The Wynns
Coonawarra Winery |
Coonawarra
Centre of the wine growing South East region
Located 381 km from Adelaide, Coonawarra is one
of Australia's (and South Australia's) most
grape growing and wine producing areas. Along
the road from Coonawarra to Penola (a distance
of only 7 km) there are a total of 21 wineries.
[The two entries on Penola and Coonawarra are
designed so that if you are heading south from
Coonawarra the wineries are in the order you
will experience them and if you are heading
north from Penola they are in correct
order].This is the result of an extraordinary
situation where there are beautiful red soils
(terra rossa) stretching 14 km and lying on top
of limestone. The town's name, although no one
is exactly sure, seems to derive from an
Aboriginal word meaning 'wild honeysuckle'.
The first Europeans into the area were the
Austin brothers who arrived in 1840 and
established a run of 109 square miles based on
what is now Yallum Park (see Penola for more
details). But the gold rushes of the 1850s
ensured that their dreams were not realised.
The real beginning for the settlement of the
area occurred when John Riddoch purchased Yallum
in 1861. He acquired 35,000 acres on which he
ran 50,000 head of sheep. In keeping with his
exalted status he lived like a local lord (as
can be seen for the richness of Yallum Park).
Around 1890 Riddoch formed the Coonawarra Fruit
Colony and 2,000 acres from Yallum Park were
subdivided into smaller holdings of 10-30 acres
which were sold, at very reasonable terms, to a
group of farmers with the express idea that they
all became vineyards and orchards. It was out of
this that the Coonawarra vineyards grew.
The vineyards were more successful than the
wineries but wine wasn't really part of the
Australian diet. It was not until the 1960s that
the exceptional soils of the area, and their
ability to produce superb red wines, was fully
realised. Since then the narrow strip of red
soil has been richly exploited by some of the
finest grape growers in South Australia.
Things to see:
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Vineyards and Wineries in the Area
S. Kidman Wines
Located on the Riddoch Highway north of
Coonawarra this family winery (the land has been
in the Kidman family for four generations) was
established in 1984 and specialises in red and
white table wines derived from cabernet
sauvignon, riesling, sauvignon blanc and shiraz
grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and
sales. For more details contact (08) 8736 5071.
Rymill Wines
Rymill Wines is located in a spectacularly
beautiful building with a huge statue of two
rearing stallions out the front. Peter Rymill, a
wildly enthusiastic horse lover, owns the
winery. He also happens to be the great-grandson
of John Riddoch. Although the winery was only
established in 1974 it is on land held by
Riddoch's family since the 19th century. The
cool asceticism of the tasting room is like a
chic purpose-built inner city restaurant.
Located north of Coonawarra on the Riddoch
Run this winery specialises in red and white
table wines and sparkling wines derived from
cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, Merlot,
chardonnay and shiraz grapes. It is open seven
days for tastings and sales. For more details
contact (08) 8736 5001.
Penley Estate
Located on McLeans Road north of Coonawarra this
166 hectare winery was established in 1988 by
Kym Tolley (great, great grandson of Dr
Christopher Penfold) and specialises in red and
white table wines and sparkling wines derived
from cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, cabernet franc,
chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot meunier and shiraz
grapes. It is open only by appointment. For more
details contact (08) 8736 3211.
Redman Winery
Located on the main Penola-Naracoorte Road north
of Coonawarra this family winery was established
in 1966 and specialises in red and white table
wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, Merlot
and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for
tastings and sales. For more details contact
(08) 8736 3331.
Brands of Coonawarra Wines
Located on the Riddoch Highway just north of
Coonawarra this family winery was established in
1966 and specialises in dry red and white table
wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling,
chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec, cabernet franc and
shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for
tastings and sales. For more details contact
(08) 8736 3260.
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| Cabernet
Sauvignon grapes on the Wynns Coonawarra
Estate |
Wynns Coonawarra Estate
This tasting and cellar door area contains the
true history of the region. It was here in 1891
that John Riddoch built a huge cellar out of
limestone. He planned to buy all the grapes from
the local blockers and consequently the cellar
was built to hold 75,000 gallons of wine. Today
it has been tastefully modernised.
Located on Memorial Drive west of Coonawarra
this well-known winery was established in 1896
and specialises in premium red and white table
wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling,
chardonnay, Merlot and shiraz grapes. It is open
seven days for tastings and sales. For more
details contact (08) 8736 3202.
Zema Estate
Located on the Riddoch Highway south of
Coonawarra small family winery was established
in 1982 and specialises in dry red wines derived
from cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec,
cabernet franc and shiraz grapes. It is open
seven days for tastings and sales. For more
details contact (08) 8736 3219.
Jamieson's Run Wines
Located on the Main Road south of Coonawarra
this winery was established in 1963 and
specialises in red and white table wines derived
from cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, sauvignon
blanc, Merlot, cabernet franc and shiraz grapes.
It is open seven days for tastings and sales.
For more details contact (08) 8736 3380.
Majella Wines
Located on Lynn Road south of Coonawarra this
family winery was established in 1990 and
specialises in red table wines derived from
cabernet sauvignon and shiraz grapes. It is open
seven days for tastings and sales.
