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Get to know Coonawarra with these 5 fun facts

Read time 5 Mins

Posted 26 Jan 2023

By
Madeleine Horrigan

From red soils to red wines, get to know one of Australia’s most exciting wine regions. 

Located in the south-eastern corner of South Australia, Coonawarra is one of the country's most celebrated winegrowing regions. With a rich history, distinctive countryside and a vibrant local community, you could spend years taking it all in and still have more to learn. Fortunately, we’ve taken some of the juiciest tid-bits and condensed them into five of our favourite facts about Coonawarra. 
1. Coonawarra may be a tiny town, but it is obsessed with wine (in the best possible way)There’s no denying the town of Coonawarra is small. North to south it covers roughly 4.5km and, according to the 2016 census, there are just  137 local residents. But what it lacks in size, it makes it up with a loyal, tight-knit community that is fiercely proud of its winemaking culture. Here, you’ll find vines covering every square inch of land that isn’t dedicated to the 25-plus cellar doors and wineries scattered along the main stretch of highway. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself chatting directly with the winemaker at a local cellar door while tasting their world-class wines. This passion for wine can’t be contained in its tasting rooms and regularly spills into the region’s  colourful calendar of events, festivals and wine tastings throughout the year. So, yes, Coonawarra is small, but its spirit is huge. 
2. Coonawarra is the perfect mid-point between Adelaide and MelbourneLocated approximately 380km south of Adelaide and 427km west of Melbourne, Coonawarra is a comfortable half-day drive from these two bustling capital cities and the perfect place to break up your next cross-country road trip. Coonawarra’s remote location and agricultural heart makes it a tranquil, down-to-earth destination where you can unwind and indulge in world-class food and wine. Or, if you’re after something a bit more adventurous, the surrounding Limestone Coast is a natural wonderland, with stunning beaches, lush parkland and a range of outdoor attractions. If you love nature (or just want to see something incredibly beautiful) we highly recommend making a stop in Mount Gambier to visit the spectacular sunken gardens of the Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul. So, whether Coonawarra is a logical half-way point on an inter-city trip or simply the next stop on a leisurely tour through the area, it’s well worth setting aside a couple of days to explore this charming region and its stunning surroundings.
3. Coonawarra is the capital of cabernet sauvignonCoonawarra cabernet. It’s just one of those classic pairings, like Lennon and McCartney, Batman and Robin, and fish and chips (and even better, it’s alliterative). In fact, cabernet sauvignon from Coonawarra is so good that it’s earned an international reputation as one of Australia’s most distinctive wine styles, characterised by silky tannins, integrated acidity and exceptional ageability, all wrapped up in a classic flavour profile of blackcurrants, violets and a touch of mint. So, what’s the secret behind this dynamic duo? It has a lot to do with Coonawarra’s cool maritime climate, sunny days and cool nights, and unique, rich red soil (more on this below) – ideal conditions for growing perfectly ripe, complex cabernet grapes. But most importantly, this is a region of dedicated winemakers and viticulturalists. Drawing on 100-year-old winemaking traditions, these are some of the most passionate wine lovers you’ll ever meet. And they know how to make darn good cabernets.
4. Coonawarra is home to a rare stretch of red earth called terra rossa At the heart of the Coonawarra region is a 27km strip of unique soil called terra rossa. Latin for ‘red earth’, it's named for its rust-red colour. But this isn’t your average patch of dirt ‒ it’s the result of a long and unusual geological process. We won’t bore you with the nitty gritty details; just know that it’s many thousands of years old and coloured red by iron oxide. And believe it or not, this small stretch of soil is among the most valuable patches of earth in the Australian wine community. Why? For the simple reason this iron-rich clay is ideal for growing and ripening grapes that produce wines with intense yet elegant flavours ‒ especially cabernet sauvignon. Plus, its gorgeous red colour is the perfect backdrop for a mini photoshoot ‒ tell me you’re in Coonawarra, without telling me you're in Coonawarra. 
5. Coonawarra’s women of wineWinemaking has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, however, the tide is turning as the number of women in vineyards and wineries grows. This is not a new thing in Coonawarra – women have been blazing trails and smashing glass ceilings in the local wineries for decades. Star winemakers include Brooke Blair at Brand’s Laira, and Kate Goodman at Penley Estate, who works alongside sisters Ang and Bec Tolley, as well as Katnook’s Natalie Cleghorn, and 2021 Australian Winemaker of the Year finalist Sue Bell of Bellwether Wines. The list is long and their achievements impressive, but there are four women in particular whose influence in the region is worth acknowledging. 
Meet Emma Bowen of Bowen EstateBorn and bred in Coonawarra, wine runs in Emma’s veins. After a brief flirtation with a career in hospitality, Emma was drawn back to the family fold and set out on the winemaking path pretty quickly. Today, she represents the next generation of winemakers at this iconic estate, having taken over the winemaking from father Doug. Ask Emma about her work and her love for the region is obvious. From the unique soils to the seasonal climate, the distinctive wines and the passionate local community, there’s so much to love about Coonawarra. And while Emma remains humble about her own winemaking achievements, she is certainly one of the producers  to watch in this region. 
The formidable women of Wynns Coonawarra Estate: Sue Hodder, Sarah Pidgeon and Catherine Kidman For more than two decades, Sue and Sarah have worked together on the Wynns winemaking team (Sue’s even hit 30 vintages at the winery – and counting). Built on trust and mutual respect, it is one of the longest-running partnerships in Australian wine and has been a key part of the winery's ongoing success in the region and around the world. In 2016, Sue and Sarah were jointly named Australian Winemaker of the Year by the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO). However, the well-deserved recognition of these two dynamos has also been a source of inspiration for young Australians looking to become a part of this incredible industry. But Sue and Sarah are not the only women making strides at Wynns. In the vineyards, you’ll find viticulturist and researcher Dr Catherine Kidman (pictured). In addition to ensuring the health and integrity of the historical Wynns vineyards, Cath is also conducting research to help unlock the mysteries of cabernet sauvignon and shape the future of grape growing in Australia.
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 GuideWineWine RegionsCoonawarraRed WineTravelCabernet SauvignonWhite WineWinery
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