Wine Regions

Coonawarra
Premium grapes have been grown here for more than a century, is internationally famous for its premium Cabernet Sauvignons and increasingly, its Shiraz. Some 20 minutes' drive south of Naracoorte the Coonawarra district sits at around 200 feet above sea level.

One of the secrets to this unique location is that the Coonawarra terra rossa soil (running north-south on a narrow limestone ridge) sits on an unnaturally high water table of pure water that creates ideal growing conditions for the vines that grow in a comparatively temperate climate.

Terra rossa soils are traditionally associated with limestone. The terra rossa soil type occurs throughout the Limestone Coast in strips as well as in isolated pockets. Coonawarra soil is however believed to be unique due to its slightly higher clay composition than the other pockets of red soil.

The Coonawarra climate is very favourable for production of quality grapes being very similar to that of Bordeaux with long mild summers, cool autumns and cold winters that give a seven month growing season with vintage taking place in very cool conditions.

Wrattonbully
One of the more recently established regions within the Limestone Coast's production zone, Wrattonbully lies between the districts of Padthaway and the Coonawarra.

Wrattonbully's climate combines the benefits of the warmer and drier Padthaway for Shiraz and Chardonnay, whilst utilising the cooler influence of Coonawarra for Cabernet. Other varieties include Merlot, Pinot Noir, with smaller plantings of Riesling, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot.

Like its neighbours the 2000 hectares encompassed in this region are also blessed with Terra Rossa soils and abundant water to produce premium quality vineyards and wines. There are undeniable similarities between the long strip of Terra Rossa soil over limestone, which runs along the Naracoorte Range, and Coonawarra. The earliest plantings date back to the early 1970s amounting to 20 hectares. Today more than 45 producers are represented in this exciting new region.

Padthaway
Padthaway combines the natural elements needed to make good wine. A Mediterranean climate, good average rainfall of 520 mm and well-drained Terra Rossa soil varying from sandy loam to red clay over limestone produces fruit with flavour and intensity. The current planted area of 2900 hectares (and expanding) is approximately 25 km long and 5 km wide running in a northwest - southeast direction.

Today a combination of multi-national companies and an increasing number of private growers occupy the region. Predominant varieties include Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir.

Like many of the other winegrowing regions of the Limestone Coast, Padthaway is situated on one of the 15 north-south ridges that were originally coastal sand dunes created as the sea retreated.

Mount Benson
Mount Benson is a recently defined viticultural region located between the coastal towns of Robe and Kingston SE. The first grapes were planted in 1989 and the area has since rapidly expanded with more than 370 hectares now planted.

The region benefits from the pervasive influence of the Limestone Coast - red sandy loam soils over a free draining limestone base and the maritime influence of the Great Southern Ocean which moderates the year round temperature producing fruit of distinctive character.

The ample supply of high quality water, mild maritime climate and relatively low frost risk make for ideal growing conditions. The Mount Benson region is already being acknowledged for its cool climate Cabernet and Shiraz.

Mount Gambier
The Mount Gambier region is the newest wine region in the Limestone Coast and the areas grape-growers are currently preparing an application to the Geographical Indications Committee for definition of the region. The Mount Gambier region occupies the bottom south east corner of South Australia, from just south of Penola to the Coast and from the Victorian border in the east to the volcanic uplands near Millicent to the west.

Given the larger area, there are a number of sub-regions, each with their own characteristic soils and aspect. Soil types range from sandy loams, terra rossa, volcanic loams around Mt Gambier and Glencoe to stony, flint and limestone at Kongorong near the coast.

The most widely planted varieties are the earlier maturing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc which produce excellent fruit in this cool, moderate climate with its long ripening period.

Robe Ranges
As one of the new wine growing regions within the Limestone Coast, Robe looks set for an exciting future with the production of premium and super premium wines. The first plantings occurred in 1994 and since then the region has seen rapid expansion. The total area of grapevines in the Robe Region is approximately 770 hectares.

There are now in excess of 15 grape growers/vineyards producing varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. With wine labels already in the market, more are planned within the near future. 

One of the chief differences between the wines of the Robe Region and those of the Coonawarra is the coastal influence. The coastal location means that the growing season is slightly warmer in spring and autumn and cooler in the summer than that of the Coonawarra district. Early maturing grape varieties ripen at about the same time while later maturing varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz ripen a few days earlier. Having a slighter cooler mean temperature range gives the Robe area a unique and mild climate conducive to the gentle ripening of grapes.