Coonawarra

"Coonawarra’s agricultural history began in the mid-1800s when settlers recognised the potential of the flat, fertile plains for sheep farming and fruit growing. Enterprising Scottish settler John Riddoch planted Coonawarra’s first grapevines in 1891, thirty years after establishing a lucrative sheep farm at Penola. Thanks to the work of pioneering work of people like David Wynn and Bill Redman today Coonawarra is, perhaps alongside Margaret River, Australia’s most famous cool-climate region for Cabernet Sauvignon.

The grape varietal has found a home in the terra rossa soils of Coonawarra, producing rich, firmly structured red wines that are renowned around the world... While not unique to the region, the terra rossa of Coonawarra is Australia's most famous soil. Vivid red in colour, it is either friable subplastic clay or a shallow friable loam derived from and lying on top of a bed of soft limestone. 

The terra rossa strip is just one-kilometre-wide and runs for 12 kilometres northwest through Coonawarra. This tiny stretch of land is among the most valuable – and controversial – patches of earth in Australian wine. But rather than creating a climate of elitism this is a region where the production of world-class wines is woven into the community. Coonawarra is home to well-established names that have endured and continue to succeed alongside newer names that are reinvigorating the region. And while Cabernet holds the Coonawarra crown, there is a lot more to this classic region than first meets the eye." - Wine Australia

Map courtesy of Wine Australia

  • Balnaves The Tally Reserve Cabernet 2021

    Balnaves The Tally Reserve Cabernet 2021

    Region: SA- Coonawarra

    "2021 was a superb vintage reminiscent of 2004 and 2001..."

    Among his many pursuits, Doug Balnaves was a shearer of Merino sheep. A shearer in Australia, is paid by the number of sheep he shears. Counted every two-hour period, the Tally is recorded in the Tally book. The higher the Tally, the greater the...

    Qualifies for 10% discount in a straight dozen

    $95.00
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  • Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

    Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

    Region: SA- Coonawarra
    Farming Sustainably-made

    97 POINTS HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION!

      "Like the 2018 that preceded it, this is a wine of stature, precision and endurance. The tannins are fine and omnipresent, but then a cabernet without tannins would be like a person without purpose. This is direct, forthright and confident, with...

    Current stock: 19

    $150.00
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  • Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

    Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

    Region: SA- Coonawarra
    Farming Sustainably-made

    96 POINTS HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION!

      "Such fine-grained tannin, such even-handed fruit, such a lengthy finish. This is a beautiful Black Label cabernet, elegantly medium-bodied, blessed with blackcurrant, forest berry, cool mint and cedar characters, and tempered by tobacco-like...

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    $42.00
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  • Wynns Michael Shiraz 2019

    Wynns Michael Shiraz 2019

    Region: SA- Coonawarra
    Farming Sustainably-made

    97 POINTS HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION!

      "Matured for 14 months in new and seasoned French oak (15% new). If this doesn't set your heart aflutter, I don't know what will. Featherlight and concentrated at once, this has tissue paper-fine layers of black cherry, blueberry, graphite,...

    Current stock: 6

    $145.00
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  • Penley Steyning Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

    Penley Steyning Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

    Region: SA- Coonawarra

    JAMES HALLIDAY WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR 2024!
    HALLIDAY 96 POINTS!

      "Dark, fragrant aromas of blood plum, blackcurrant and anise will draw you in to this contemporary expression of Coonawarra cabernet. It’s a complex and thought-provoking wine, medium-bodied with layers of cassis, dark chocolate and toasty...

    Qualifies for 10% discount in a straight dozen

    $60.00
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  • Penley Georgina Sparkling Shiraz N.V.

    Penley Georgina Sparkling Shiraz N.V.

    Region: SA- Coonawarra

    JAMES HALLIDAY 2024 WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR!

      "A modern twist on an Australian classic, this sparkling Shiraz is bright and clean and best enjoyed with friends and family. Incredibly fragrant and bright fruited on the nose. A bouquet of black cherry, plum and raspberry compote...

    Qualifies for 10% discount in a straight dozen

    $26.50
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  • Penley Chertsey Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Franc 2018

    Penley Chertsey Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Franc 2018

    Region: SA- Coonawarra

    JAMES HALLIDAY 2024 WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR!
    JAMES HALLIDAY 96 POINTS!

      "A 3-way bet of 70/20/10% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc. They must be magic numbers, because this is an enchanting outcome. The aromas are like perfume: all floral, blackberries and exotic spices. But it is the palate that really puts...

    $60.00
    $56.50
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  • Penfolds Bin 169 Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

    Penfolds Bin 169 Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

    Region: SA- Coonawarra

    WINE FRONT 95 POINTS!

      "This wine is sweet, neat, perfectly ripened and exquisitely well turned out, in the house uniform. Blackcurrant and cedarwood do just pass by, but I’ll love them to the day I die. Tannin here is like a wink that no one else saw. Keep it...

    Current stock: 1

    $350.00
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  • Hollick Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

    Hollick Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

    Region: SA- Coonawarra

    THIS CLASSIC COONAWARRA ESTATE IS RENOWNED FOR ITS AGEWORTHY CABERNETS!

      "This is a wine of substantial pedigree, indelibly marked by the menthol, piercing currant and firm, wiry tannins of the region. The fruit is generous, judiciously ripe and not excessive. The oak, too, is handled with aplomb following partial...

    Current stock: 4

    $70.00
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  • Lindemans Pyrus 2019

    Lindemans Pyrus 2019

    Region: SA- Coonawarra

    JAMES HALLIDAY 95 POINTS!

      "85/6/5/4% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/malbec/cabernet franc, the cabernet planted 2004, the merlot in 2005, the malbec in 1962 and 1982, the franc in 1981. Fermented in French oak. Concentrated, rippling and dense, this is a powerhouse of black...

    Current stock: 1

    $65.00
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  • Leasingham Classic Clare Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

    Leasingham Classic Clare Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

    Region: SA- Coonawarra

    DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS MEDAL

      "The term 'Classic' is entirely apt with the Clare's signature billow of dark fruit and spice, sluiced by a verdant lift of peppermint patty, drying across a bed of astringent tannins. These serve the purpose, though, corralling the flavours...

    Qualifies for 10% discount in a straight dozen

    Current stock: 22

    $60.00
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  • Ottelia Riesling 2022

    Ottelia Riesling 2022

    Region: SA- Coonawarra
    Farming Vegan-friendly Sustainably-made

    INCREDIBLE FOR THE PRICE!

      "Fragrant lime, lemon thyme and citrus blossom. Elegant citrus, herbal and mineral qualities with tingling cool climate acidity and an engaging finish. Perfect with fresh, spicy and vibrant flavours, absolutely loves to be with food! The Ellis...

    Current stock: 1

    $25.00
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  • Ottelia Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

    Ottelia Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

    Region: SA- Coonawarra
    Farming Vegan-friendly Sustainably-made

    CLASSIC, COOL CLIMATE EXPRESSION WITH A BEAUTIFUL LINE OF FRUIT FLAVOUR

      "The famed environment of Coonawarra creates perfect grape growing conditions. Working closely with vineyard owners, winemaker John has selected parcels of wine that have been blended to capture the essence of Coonawarra’s finest variety...

    Qualifies for 10% discount in a straight dozen

    Current stock: 12

    $32.00
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