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:  

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.

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. For more details contact (08) 8736 3055.

	Tourist Information
	Coonawarra Tourist Information Centre Arthur St Coonawarra SA 5263 Telephone: (08) 8736 2855
	Motels
	Chardonnay Lodge Penola Rd P.O. Box 15 Coonawarra SA 5263 Telephone: (08) 8736 3309 Rating: ***
	Apartments
	Room With a View Holiday Apartments Warners Corner P.O. Box 27 Coonawarra SA 5263 Telephone: (08) 8736 3311
	Cottages & Cabins
	Bankhouse Mary St P.O. Box 10B Coonawarra SA 5263 Telephone: (08) 8736 3304 Rating: ****
	Coonawarra's Pyrus Cottage Helen St P.O. Box 10B Coonawarra SA 5263 Telephone: (08) 8736 3399 Rating: ***
	Koonara Cottage Tricia Reschke Rd P.O. Box 5 Coonawarra SA 5263 Telephone: (08) 8736 3267 Facsimile: (08) 8736 3020 Rating: ***
	Picker Hut Mary St P.O. Box 10B Coonawarra SA 5263 Telephone: (08) 8736 3304
	Skinner Cottage Mary St P.O. Box 10B Coonawarra SA 5263 Telephone: (08) 8736 3304 or (08) 8736 3220 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Chardonnay Lodge Riddoch Highway Coonawarra SA 5263 Telephone: (08) 8736 3309 Facsimile: (08) 8736 3383
	Redfingers Memorial Dve Coonawarra SA 5263 Telephone: (08) 8736 3006