South Australia
CoonawarraSouth Australia’s red centre, Coonawarra is the ultimate destination for lovers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.Coonawarra is located approximately 10kms north of Penola on the Riddoch Highway. Coonawarra is part of the Limestone Coast Wine Region.
Its secret lies in the magical marriage of rich red terra rossa soil, limestone, pure underground water and a long cool ripening season. Coonawarra offers visitors wine tasting at, in excess of, twenty cellar doors.
The local industries of Coonawarra are viticulture, agriculture, horticulture and tourism. In 1890 John Riddoch subdivided 1000 acres, which he sold to local people to establish the Penola Fruit Colony. Riddochs first vintage was in 1897. The Penola Fruit Colony became known as Coonawarra. Riddochs original cellars, now Wynns Coonawarra Estate, is a local landmark and popular tourist attraction. Millions of years ago, Nature began crafting our wines, so that today we simply add the finishing touches.
Think Coonawarra, and thoughts of sumptuous reds spring to mind – from the rich rust-coloured Terra Rossa soil for which it’s internationally recognised, to the prized red wines that have made it famous.
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Go glamping at Bellwether Wines
Bellwether Wines is not like other wineries, this place feeds and inspires the soul. Just 7km north of the Coonawarra township.
Based in the 1868 Glen Roy Shearing Shed this beautiful space combines history, humour and creativity. A boutique winery with the cellar door and community kitchen in the heart of the winery, a uniquely immersive expert.
You can even stay the night glamping in a Bell tent or camp with your own gear. Indulge in a degustation served by the chef and the winemaker - limited to no more than 10 people. We have an extensive produce garden and friendly farm animals and of course our wines all hand made in this enchanting stone building Come visit us on your next trip to Coonawarra. We have wide-open spaces and lots of fresh air.
Go wine tasting at Wynns
Wynns Coonawarra Estate is the district's pre-eminent wine producer, with the longest established vineyard sites.
Under the guidance of winemaker Sue Hodder, Wynns produces an annual collection of red and white wines acclaimed for their consistent quality and depth of flavour, including two flagship reds - John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon and Michael shiraz.
Visitors can enjoy tastings of current and back vintage wines in Wynns' tasting room and new interpretive centre. Wines by the glass, cheese platters, espresso coffee plus an extensive offering of back vintage wines and magnums for sale make a visit to Wynns' cellar door a must.
Also try your hand at our unique 'Make Your Own Blend' (MYOB) tour experience, where you can take a personalised bottle home of your favourite blend. This is a fun and interactive tour where you become the winemaker for the day. Bookings required.
Offering versatile space for any conference, training or workshop session in the charm of the Estate’s heritage, blended with modern facilities, we are sure will impress. We have a dedicated ‘John Riddoch Room’ which offers privacy, modern audiovisual equipment & Wi-Fi access, all supplied in the room hire.
Enjoy award-winning wines at Penley Estate
Penley Estate was established in 1988 by Ang, Bec and Kym Tolley, direct descendants of two pioneer Australian winemaking families, Penfolds and Tolleys.
Since being established Penley Estate has gained a reputation for producing wines of elegance and finesse showcasing regional and varietal characteristics. Penley Estate has won 48 trophies and over 800 medals, including 155 Gold and has been described as 'One of the best wineries in Coonawarra' by Australia Wine Writer, James Halliday.
In recent years Penley Estate has taken a more contemporary approach to its winemaking style lead by our current winemakers Kate Goodman and Lauren Hansen. Penley Estate Cellar door in Coonawarra and the Penley Estate Wine Room in McLaren Vale are both open daily.