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10 must-see cellar doors for your Coonawarra itinerary

Read time 5 Mins

Posted 26 Jan 2023

By
Madeleine Horrigan

From cosy cellars to historic tasting rooms, uncover the best of Coonawarra at these 10 must-visit cellar doors. 

Though Coonawarra may be a relatively small region, it’s home to more than 25 cellar doors that are open to visitors. With large, chic tasting rooms, small cosy cellar doors, and even a historic cellar housed within a bigger venue, Coonawarra certainly has you spoilt for choice. But while we generally embrace a ‘more the merrier’ sentiment, even the most efficient of tasters couldn’t possibly visit them all over a single weekend (even a long weekend). So, with this in mind, we've put together a list of 10 of our favourite cellar doors to give you a taste of what the Coonawarra wine region has to offer.
Get a taste of Italy’s Calabria in Coonawarra at the Zema Estate cellar door.
1. Zema EstateZema Estate is an Australian winery with an Italian soul. It was established by Demetrio and Francesca Zema in 1982 when they made their first shiraz in a tin shed, using a second-hand milk tanker as a fermenter. They’ve since traded in the shed for a state-of-the-art winery and cellar door, however, their wines are still made with the same consideration and dedication to quality as they were 40 years ago. Zema Estate specialises in classic Australian wines – think  cabernet sauvignon and shiraz – that you can sample in their tasting room. That’s not to say the Zema family doesn’t also bring some Calabrian flavour to the heart of Coonawarra. Mrs Zema produces a range of delicious homemade produce and preserves that you can enjoy as part of a mouth-watering grazing platter alongside your tasting (yum!), or take away from the Zema store to enjoy as part of a picnic later. Or both!
2. HollickAsk a local for a cellar door recommendation and odds are they’ll  mention Hollick. It's a highly-rated winery just north of Penola, with panoramic views matched only by an unforgettable restaurant and cellar door experience. One of the original winery restaurants in the region, Upstairs Restaurant is an award-winning venue that features modern seasonal cuisine showcasing the highest-quality local ingredients. Those who choose to skip the restaurant and proceed directly to the cellar door will encounter a formidable line-up of boutique, estate-grown wines featuring all the Coonawarra heroes – cabernet, shiraz and merlot – as well as a couple of surprises too, such as barbera, sangiovese and savagnin. You can't go wrong with any of them, particularly when enjoying them in this charming, stone cottage cellar door.
Coonawarra classics mingle with exciting alternatives in the Holick line-up.
Discover a local icon at Parker Estate.
3. Parker Estate

Just a quick drive down the road from Holllick, you’ll find another iconic fixture on the Coonawarra Strip: Parker Coonawarra Estate. Established in the mid-1980s by John Parker, the visionary behind Hungerford Hill Wines in the Hunter Valley, Parker Estate has earned a reputation for rich red wines from those famous red-earth soils. In the cellar door, a range of tasting flights and experiences await. For fervent cabernet fans, the vertical of Parker Estate’s Langton’s Classified ‘First Growth’ tasting promises a very special experience you won’t forget.

Not just about the wine, a trip to Parker Estate is also a must for gin lovers. Alongside their iconic wine range, the estate also produces a range of gins, including cabernet and rosé gins as well as their signature dry style. Sign up for their gin flight to taste through their collection of craft spirits to learn about the distillation and blending processes.

4. Brand's LairaIt was in 1893 that an English sea captain named Captain Henry Stentiford purchased a block of land right in the heart of Coonawarra and named it  ‘Laira’ after his beloved ship. The name ‘Brand’s Laira’ was introduced some 50 years later when Eric Brand and his wife Nancy Redman acquired the same four-hectare property along with just over two hectares of shiraz. Today, the name remains, but the cellar door has undergone a physical transformation. On the edge of the Coonawarra township, the Brand's Laira cellar door is a feast for the senses. Centred on the original stone cottage that housed Eric Brand’s cellar, the newly renovated building is an architectural vision that takes you on a journey into the winery's history. At the heart of the building, you can enjoy a guided tasting and cheese board in the historic cellar, surrounded by bottles (and stories) that have been stored there for more than 100 years.
Enjoy cheese, charcuterie and wine at Brand’s Laira as you delve into its long history.
Take a tour of the cellar and meet the fourth and fifth generations of Redman winemakers.
5. Redman WinesIf you like your wine paired with a side of history, a visit to the Redman Wines cellar door is a must. This small, family run winery was  one of the region’s first, with a heritage stretching back over a century to the beginning of Coonawarra winemaking, when a 14-year-old William ‘Bill’ Redman turned his hand to viticulture. Some 110 years later, Redman Wines is well into its fourth and fifth generations, run today by brothers Bruce and Mal and their sons Dan and Mike. Chances are you’ll catch them in the cellar door, where you can join them on a Vintage Tour that takes you behind the scenes for a look at what’s happening in the winery and vineyard. Rest assured you’ll also have the chance to taste some of the best reds in the region, including intense shiraz and cabernet wines crafted from vines that are more than 100 years old.
6. Wynns Coonawarra Estate No trip to Coonawarra is complete without a visit to Wynns Coonawarra Estate. As one of the oldest wineries in Coonawarra, it helped put the region on the map by solidifying its reputation for world-class cabernet. Today, this tradition persists under the stewardship of long-time winemakers Sue Hodder and Sarah Pidgeon, whose single-vineyard cabernet sauvignon and complex blends are must-try wines. At cellar door, you can choose between a range of tastings, including classic flights to more premium offerings. But if you want to truly appreciate what makes these wines so special (and try your hand at winemaking) we recommend the Make Your Own Blend wine tasting. This hour-long interactive tasting takes you into the blending lab to create your own signature cuvee of Wynns cabernet, shiraz and merlot, which you then take home in a personalised bottle to impress your friends and family with your newfound skills. Finally, with your vinous masterpiece safely tucked under-arm, you’ll want to track down the nearby Siding Railway for a photo on your way out.
Put your winemaking skills to the test with Wynns’ Make Your Own Blend experience.
Take a load off and soak up Coonawarra’s splendour from Majella’s outdoor deck.
7. MajellaThe Lynn family has lived in Coonawarra for five generations. First they were blacksmiths, then wheelwrights, storekeepers and graziers. In the 1960s, they decided to turn their hand to growing grapes – and we’re so glad they did. With well over 900 trophies and wine show awards, Majella is one of the most awarded small wineries in Australia. Despite these accolades, the wines remain honest and approachable. Tacked onto the winery, the Majella cellar door is one of Coonawarra’s hidden gems. Here, visitors can sample their extensive range of wines while taking in the spectacular views from their outdoor deck. You might also detect a musical theme in the naming of certain wines, which feels appropriate because they  simply sing in the glass.
8. Leconfield Wines

Continue your quest to find the best cabernet in town with a stop at Leconfield Coonawarra. With its rich, elegant and sensual wines, Leconfield is famous for its cabernet sauvignon, which is the flagship of the brand. Or if you want to give the reds a rest, sample some zesty riesling – it’s a variety that Leconfield’s founder Sydney Hamilton  pioneered within the region.

The cellar door is warm and inviting, with a cosy, fireside tasting room that opens onto an outdoor area boasting particularly impressive views. Take a seat and the friendly staff will lead you through a guided tasting – choose from one of their curated tastings or create your own flight. Throw in a grazing platter from their produce fridge and you've got yourself an unforgettable Coonawarra experience.

Sip and graze in style at Leconfield Coonawarra.
Choose your own wine flight at Di Giorgio.
9. Di Giorgio Family WinesA visit to the Di Giorgio cellar door will quickly have you feeling like one of the family. From the moment you arrive, you’re greeted by the friendly and knowledgeable team, keen to share their passion for Coonawarra and its wines. Located just south of the Coonawarra township, the cellar door is cosy, with space for just six people, however it opens onto a gorgeous outdoor area with plenty of room for larger groups, kids and furry friends. Here, elegant cool-climate wines are the focus, with cabernet, shiraz, riesling and sauvignon blanc among the house specialties. For a small fee, you can enjoy a self-curated tasting of six wines presented on a paddle. And on a sunny day, this is a prime spot  for a picnic on the lawn with a glass of wine and a ‘Pick Your Own Produce Platter’ of handmade gourmet goodies.
10. Bowen Estate If you’re after a wholesome family run winery, put Bowen Estate at the top of your list. Housed in the cutest old cattle shed you’ve ever seen, the cellar door is attached to an impressive stone winery that founder Doug Bowen built when he was in his early 20s. Not far off its 50th vintage, Doug and his daughter Emma produce a select range of classic Coonawarra wines that are prized among collectors and enthusiasts around the world. Often only a handful of these wines are on tasting, but like everything at Bowen, quality trumps quantity. And if you’re really lucky, you’ll also meet Marco, the family dog and all-round good boy.
Explore the Bowen Estate cellar door, where quaint meets quality.
After more intel on Coonawarra? Check out our Coonawarra Vine Guide for everything you need to know about this fabulous wine region – including the low-down on the best wines, food and cellar doors.
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Authour image
Madeleine HorriganMadeleine Horrigan is a Melbourne-based writer and all-round drinks enthusiast. When her nose isn't in a glass, it's in a travel guide planning her next adventure in a wine region.
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Vine GuideCoonawarraWineWineryRed WineWhite WineTravelWine RegionsCabernet Sauvignon
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