Coonawarra Region

Location
 Zone - Limestone Coast
State - South Australia

Map Reference
 Latitude 37 degrees and 18 minutes South
Longitude 140 degrees and 50 minutes East

Elevation
 60 metres above sea level

Subregions
 Nil

Introduction
 Coonawarra's unsurpassed position as Australia's greatest red wine region today is in vivid contrast to the period from 1890 to 1945 as during most of that time wine was distilled into brandy.

It was in 1951 that David Wynn made his significant decision to buy the famous stone winery and cellars that was built with such hope and enterprise by John Riddoch exactly 60 years prior. Until that time the only table wine made in Coonawarra was Redman's Shiraz, which had been sold in bulk to other wineries. In 1955 Ronald Haselgrove of Mildara commissioned Bill Redman to find a suitable vineyard block in Coonawarra and develop a vineyard. Penfolds followed n 1957.

In Coonawarra there exists a classic example to support the French view of terroir. Coonawarra boasts the most celebrated vineyard soil in Australia, commonly known as terra rosa, a distinctive thin band of at times vibrant red soil 100cm to 500cm deep overlaying a bed of soft limestone.
Primary Grape Varieties
White
 Chardonnay 370 ha
Riesling 220 ha
Sauvignon Blanc 50 ha
Other 15 ha
Total White 655 ha
Red
 Cabernet Sauvignon 2500 ha
Shiraz 915 ha
Merlot 295 ha
Pinot Noir 110 ha
Cabernet Franc 45 ha
Other 30 ha
Total Red 3895 ha
Primary Wine Styles

Riesling
The quality of Riesling in Coonawarra has never been disputed, however similarly to Shiraz it has been completely overshadowed by the reputation of the red wines that only two producers have consistently made and released a Riesling in any quantity. The fragrant, flowery and appealingly fruity style is slowly gaining the recognition it deserves.

Chardonnay
Much of the tonnage is directed to sparkling wine, but is still capable of producing table wine of great quality and longevity.

Cabernet Sauvignon
Coonawarra produces most of Australia's magnificent Cabernet Sauvignon. The best grapes and the best oak are used in making prestige labels in these wines. The fruit flavours are highly concentrated and luscious, covering a broad spectrum of individual fruit flavours ranging from blackcurrant to plum to red cherry to prunes.

Shiraz
Shiraz was the main wine grape grown in Coonawarra between 1900 and 1950. There were a few vines of Cabernet Sauvignon and a little Grenache. The grape that in effect shaped Coonawarra's reputation seemed to be taking a back seat in the face of the success of Cabernet Sauvignon.