Escape to Coonawarra, a celebrated region where fine wine and natural splendour abound.
Roughly halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide, you’ll find the gorgeous wine region of Coonawarra. Identified for its winegrowing potential by the pioneering John Riddoch in the late 1800s, this magical stretch is just a half-day’s drive from the two capital cities, making it the perfect place to break up a road trip and take advantage of the region’s stunning surroundings, legendary wine scene and country hospitality while you’re at it.
Sure, it’s a little more off the beaten track than its famous South Australian siblings, Barossa and McLaren Vale, but Coonawarra’s charm lies in its remoteness. Here you can truly distance yourself from the non-stop of the big smoke and enjoy life’s simple pleasures – waking up to breathtaking views of natural bush, day-tripping to stunning beaches and jaw-dropping caves, dining on honest, locally produced fare, and discovering the region’s wines.
Despite its seclusion, Coonawarra is one of Australia’s most internationally celebrated wine regions, famous for its vivid red soils and world-class red wines – especially its flagship cabernet sauvignon. Located along a narrow stretch of coveted land on the Limestone Coast, the famed Coonawarra Strip is home to more than 25 cellar doors operated by a collaborative community of multi-generational wine families, national brands, and a new generation of winegrowers who are helping to enliven the region.
Elevation – 0-499m
Total vine area – 5,784ha
Average annual yield (grapes crushed) – 34,800 tonnes
Soil – iron-oxide rich terra rossa
Climate – Cool climate with maritime influences
Mean temp (Jan) – 20.1°c
Average growing season rainfall – 260mm
White grapes – 11%
Red grapes – 89%
1. Cabernet sauvignon 55%
2. Shiraz 24%
3. Merlot 7%
4. Chardonnay 6%
5. Sauvignon blanc 3%
- Soil is a big deal in the wine world, and in Coonawarra you can't pop a cork without hearing about the local terra rossa soils. This red, iron-rich strip of earth is a defining feature of Coonawarra, and an important part of what makes their wines so distinctive. In fact, cabernet sauvignon grown in terra rossa are among the best in the world, with a unique flavour profile that simply can't be replicated.
There’s a lot more to the wider Coonawarra region than world-class wine and dining (not that we’re complaining). Within easy driving distance of Penola, you can explore world-heritage listed Naracoorte Caves, wander among the hanging gardens of the Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbu, and swim in the jewel-coloured waters of Blue Lake/Warwar, which occupies one of the craters of an extinct volcano!
You can ditch the car for a day and wander among the vines with the Coonawarra Wineries Walking Trail – the incredible proximity of wineries here is a big part of the region’s appeal Visit six wineries in just under five kilometres with this easy stroll through the vineyards and get an up-close look at the viticulture and winemaking practices in Coonawarra. Walking can be hungry business, so make time for a lunch stop at one of the wineries, or pre-order a picnic basket from the Coonawarra Store to enjoy at one of the wineries.
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