Limestone Coast

Coonawarra
You've all heard the name Coonawarra … famous for full-bodied red wines and the rich, red terra rossa soils on which the vines flourish.

Here, the terra rossa soil sitting atop deep limestone beds along a cigar shaped strip of land has led to Coonawarra's vineyards becoming the most sought after in Australia. Described as 'the Bordeaux of Australia', the climate is also significant with cold, wet winters, warm summers and a long ripening season.

And what a stellar cellar line up it is, with names like Hollick Winery, Rymill Coonawarra, Bowen Estate, Wynns Coonawarra Estate and Yalumba … some of the wineries responsible for earning Coonawarra a host of international awards in recent years.

Often, you'll find special-release wines available only at the tasting room, and staff only too willing to reveal great tales about Coonawarra's rich history.

Although Shiraz was virtually the only wine grape grown in Coonawarra from 1900 to 1950, the true champion of the region is undoubtedly Cabernet Sauvignon. Today about 50 per cent of all vines are Cabernet Sauvignon and 21 per cent Shiraz, with other varieties including Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir.

Mount Benson
Why did a French family with a 200-year winemaking tradition select Mount Benson to grow Shiraz? The answer lies in the soil and sea breezes. After a worldwide search, the Chapoutiers made the move from the Rhone Valley in France to the relatively new wine region of Mount Benson.

The first grapes were planted at Mount Benson Vineyard in 1989 and within a decade 10 vineyards were in production. In its relatively short life, Mount Benson has gained a reputation for producing fruit of distinctive character, with small growers and syndicates being joined by major local and overseas companies.

The predominant red varieties in the region, like most of the Limestone Coast, are Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The predominant white variety is Chardonnay, with Sauvignon Blanc also showing promise.

And you can taste them all at a growing number of cellar doors. Dotted across the region you'll find Cape Jaffa Wines, Murdup Wines, Norfolk Rise, Ralph Fowler Wines, Wangolina Station and Wehl's Mt Benson Vineyards. The local fishing town of Cape Jaffa also hosts a popular annual Seafood and Wine festival.

Padthaway
Located just 60 kilometres north of its famous cousin Coonawarra, the Padthaway wine region shares the same 'red gold' terra rossa soil but is significantly warmer and has a different character. It's famed for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes, planted in the 1960s by Lindemans' wine legends Karl Seppelt and David Hardy after the soil types reminded them of the Bordeaux region in France. Other varieties under vine today include Shiraz, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdelho.

While the emphasis here is on growing grapes, you'll find three memorable cellar doors: the historic Padthaway Estate, the contemporary Hardy's Stonehaven and the new Henry's Drive.

The two-storey Padthaway Estate homestead was built from local limestone in 1882, with landscaped gardens and historic farm buildings completing the charming setting for country-style accommodation and fine dining.

Wrattonbully
While the first vines were planted in the '70s, Wrattonbully's growth really began in 1993, when some of Australia's major companies such as Hardy's and Beringer Blass began investing and planting. Within 10 years, the number of vineyards planted has expanded from four to more than 50, with a total of 2460 hectares under vine.

The majority of plantings are red varieties, mostly of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot, although there are also some plantings of Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. The sole winery with a tasting centre is the handsome stone-fronted Russett Ridge Winery, 30 kilometres north of Coonawarra.