Coonawarra Wine Region Guide

The Coonawarra wine region is situated amongst the Limestone Coast of South Australia. It is the most important winemaking region in South Australia, responsible for some of the best red wines in the country, and often described as one of Australia's most famous wine regions. It is well known for the grape varieties that have evolved over time. Some vineyards have been tended for generations, with premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz maturing anywhere from decades to centuries. The tranquil countryside provides locals and visitors an opportunity to experience new inspiration.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Coonawarra Wine Region

Where is the Coonawarra Wine Region

The Coonawarra wine region is centered on the town of Coonawarra in the Limestone Coast zone of South Australia. It is in the far southeast of the state, adjoining the border with Victoria south of Wrattonbully.

History of Coonawarra Wine

The Aboriginal Australians living in the area when Europeans arrived were the Bindjali people, as evidenced by the word coonawarra being their word for honeysuckle. The very first vineyards were planted in Yallum, South Australia in 1890. The Redman family was the only group to create table wine during this time. They primarily cultivated Shiraz grapes at the time. Fortunes changed for the Wynns when Samuel recognised the potential of that strip of terra rossa soil and purchased the original Riddoch cellars in 1951. With Wynns and Penfolds leading the charge, Coonawarra became a driving force in turning the Australian wine industry from making fortified wines to more traditional table wines.

Terrior of Coonawarra

The Coonawarra region, in Australia, is unique due to the terrain where most vineyards are found. The Terra Rossa soil that characterizes the area has a strong effect on the wines' flavor. The region's prime land, which has this reddish-brown topsoil over a thick layer of soft limestone, covers a narrow strip 12 kilometers long and around 1km wide. The reddish color of this soil is caused by the iron-oxide in the clay, which is rich in silica as well. This soil also has good drainage and a slightly alkaline pH due to its formation of calcium carbonate. Vines are prevented from penetrating the soil beyond the Terra Rossa by a hard, calcium carbonate surface.

Coonawarra's proximity to the Southern Ocean gives it a mild, maritime climate with Mediterranean effects in the summer, moderated by the cool breezes coming off the sea. The cooling of vines has a lot to do with the richness and complexity of many wines. This happens when the ripening period is extended, resulting in a wide range of flavors. The long sunshine hours in the region also allow grapes to fully mature and develop sugar and phenolic levels throughout the extended ripening period. The average temperature during the cold winter months is only 9.8°C, which helps retain acidity.

Coonawarra Wine Characteristics

Cabernet Sauvignon is the shining star of the region, producing some of Australia's best wines. These wines are characterised by their rich flavours and tannic structure, though they are crafted in such a way to preserve as much of this character as possible. It is powerful, robust and rich in flavor with classic tastes like blackberry and dark cherry. They need a few years to settle out before becoming more drinkable, but many can age for decades! The other top varieties grown in this region are Shiraz and Merlot. Shiraz was the dominant grape variety grown in this area until Cabernet took over in the 1950s. Shiraz is a food-friendly grape that often produces lighter wines than those from the warmer regions of Australia. Merlot is a newer addition to the Coonawarra wine region and produces full-bodied, interesting and age-worthy red wines; it's often blended with Cabernet.

Food to pair with Coonawarra Wine

1. Australian Pizza

Although the usual Italian pizza varieties are available in Australia, they often have richer toppings than in Italy. The Aussie variety is a pizza that is usually topped with a base of BBQ sauce, mozzarella cheese and bacon bits. Most people like to add onion, garlic, mushroom, or hot peppers when they cook a pie. This can make it more delicious. Australian Pizza is a great match to Coonawarra wines.

2. Chicken and Corn Soup

This classic Australian soup is prepared with onions, potatoes, chicken stock, flour, water, cooked chicken and your personal flavoring of salt/pepper. There are many variations of this soup, so ingredients will vary from person to person. Besides being easy to make, soup is also a great way to use up leftovers. I recommend serving it warm and with specialty bread, preferably foccacia. It goes well with Coonawarra wine.

3. Dagwood Dog

Dagwood dogs are a popular Australian festival staple consisting of a hot dog on a stick that is dipped in batter, then deep-fried in hot oil. Before serving, the tip of the Dagwood dog is typically dipped in tomato sauce, making it even tastier. This is also known as a "pluto pup" or "dippy dog". It pairs well with Coonawarra wine.

Places to visit near Coonawarra

1. Naracoorte Caves

South Australia's only World Heritage listed site, Naracoorte Caves National Park is home to over 100 known fossil deposits which can date back up to 60,000 years. Here you will find the remains of extinct megafauna. We offer a number of amazing cave tours that to show off our fossils up close and tell their stories. For those looking for an adrenaline rush, we also offer a range of exciting adventure caves - for the specially adventurous! If you have time, take a stroll along the World Heritage Trail at the park and see what makes it so special. A popular activity taken on by many of the park's visitors.

2. Fishing in Coonawarra and the Limestone Coast

Whether you're fishing from a boat, at the beach or off a pier, the Limestone Coast has something for everyone. Besides being famous for it's wonderfully fresh seafood, it's also considered one of the world's crayfish capitals. The Limestone Coast is rapidly gaining a reputation for quality deep sea fishing due to its variety of species, including southern bluefin tuna, gummy shark and other reef dwelling delicacies. The best fishing can be found off the jetties of Cape Jaffa, Beachport and Port MacDonnell. The Glenelg River is another hotspot for fishing in the region.

Frequently asked questions about Coonawarra Wine Region