Wine Guide Day 1: Historic Coonawarra

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[{"address":"77 Memorial Dr","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.13860712753255364,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-37.29134593145215,"longitude":140.83053798802874},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# About this guide\nThis guide is built to help you learn about the region as you go through the wineries and tastings. You’ll discover not only what wines are characteristic for Coonawarra but also what styles of wines are “Coonawarra classic” and recognisable, what styles are alternative and innovative. You'll also learn the history of the place through the stories of the people who built it and gave Coonawarra its unique wine soul.\n\nThis is my \"designer itinerary\" as if I was taking you on the tour myself. All suggestions and recommendations are my personal opinion. This guide is not sponsored in any way."},{"type":"text","content":"# About the author\nHi my name is Olga Dee, I'm a sommelier, wine educator and wine lover."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FcaxryEvZYh3TMb0tN1zn%2Fimage-003.jpg?alt=media&token=bec7823e-10ea-48de-9124-f2458683cea5"},{"type":"text","content":"# How to get the most of your trip\nThis guide is only a suggestion. Feel free to skip or add steps. The wineries are grouped by a theme and organised for the driving convenience. Wine recommendations are to provide some guidance and to make sure that you have a diverse collection of wines by the end of your trip. There are wines for different budgets as well. However, you\ndon't have to buy all the wines recommended or buy wines at every winery at all. Definitely get wines you personally enjoyed even if they are not on the list. After all, wine is an individual experience!"},{"type":"text","content":"# Few tips:\n\n* Have a budget so that you don't overspend\n* Make a list of wines you'd like to get (or just use my recommendations)\n* Write down what wines you got so that you don't end up with 20 bottles of Cab Sav\n* Drink a lot of water. Have a water bottle with you.\n* Don't chase the number of visited wineries, it's about quality and enjoying yourself. It's ok if you miss a couple."},{"type":"text","content":"DRINK RESPONSIBILITY \nDONT DRINK AND DRIVE"},{"type":"text","content":"# Coonawarra summary\nCoonawarra is situated in South Australia, north of Mount Gambier, close to the border with Victoria.\n\nIt's a bit cooler than Barossa but warmer than Yarra Valley. It has a bit of distance from the sea but still benefits from a bit of maritime influence, in which it is sometimes compared to Bordeaux.\n\nIts main advantage and unique quality is its soil - Terra Rossa (red soil). It can be found only on a small strip of land 27 km long and 2 km wide. It is red, permeable and averaging 50 centimeter depth over a limestone base. It allows water to drain freely, providing ample air and opportunity for the vine roots to explore and thrive.\n\nVines growing in Terra Rossa have a natural balance of leaf and crop. It doesn't overheat creating a favourable condition for vines with the grapes developing intense colours, varietal fruit flavours, and fine tannins as they ripen slowly.\nTogether with the long ripening season, that's what gives its Cabernet Sauvignon very special qualities.\n\nBut Cabernet is not the only grape grown here. We have Shiraz, which is often blended with Cab Sav, Merlot, Cab Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Moscato. As well as other varieties like Vermentino, Savagnin, Gewurztraminer, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Grenache, etc."},{"type":"text","content":"# Coonawarra history\n\nCoonawarra counts its modern history from William Wilson, Scottish-born gardener, choosing red soil over black for his small block in the 1850s around the town of Penola. \n\nHis canny sense of place was repaid in the vigour of his fruit trees and vines and he advised John Riddoch, a fellow Scot who arrived in 1861, to do the same. He selected 1,147 acres of Terra Rossa to the north of Penola for his Coonawarra Fruit Colony – choosing to name it after the Aboriginal word for honeysuckle.\nHad it not been for the bank crash and subsequent Depression of 1893, Coonawarra may well have become a great southern city to rival Melbourne and Adelaide.\n\nFor the next 50 years, the sole wine producer in Coonawarra will be Bill Redman (a former Riddoch employee).\nThe modern Coonawarra started in 1951 when David Wynn purchased the run down Riddoch vineyards and winery.\n\nDuring the second half of the twentieth century, Coonawarra became the most sought-after wine-producing region in\nAustralia. Many new wineries opened here. \n\nThe third wave of interest in Coonawarra started in the late 80s through to 90s with more innovators and visionaries coming to Coonawarra."},{"type":"text","content":"If you'd like to learn more about Coonawarra and also follow me to cellar doors and tastings, check out the video below:"},{"type":"link","content":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO0c3T4WZEo"}]},{"address":"Wynns Coonawarra Estate","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.13860712753255364,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-37.291401412093784,"longitude":140.83058895000002},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Wynns Coonawarra Estate"},{"type":"text","content":"Start at Wynns to get a good intro into the region. The cellar door built by John Riddoch and the estate still produces wine from some of the oldest vines in the region. Wynns wines are the ultimate taste of classic Coonawarra. Their wine range gives a very good understanding of how Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz can express themselves from different vineyards, over the years and through slightly different winemaking approaches. If you have a chance it is worth booking one of Wynns special experiences. Wynns wines are great for cellaring and are in the top few collectible wines."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FcaxryEvZYh3TMb0tN1zn%2Fimage-026.jpg?alt=media&token=c55352b3-1308-4d2a-8a19-d1871320c2f3"},{"type":"text","content":"# Questions to ask at the tasting:\n* What makes Coonawarra special?\n* What is Terra Rossa and why it is special in Coonawarra?\n* How John Riddoch decided to plant vineyards and what made his success?\n* How he chose the name for Coonawarra?"},{"type":"text","content":"# Wines to buy:\n* Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon - get at least 2 bottles because you want to cellar one\n* Rose’ - new 2020 release. No guarantee that they will continue producing it, but highly recommend \n* Michael Shiraz because it is iconic and the most collectible\n* Any back vintage you can get your hands on or if you can get different vintages of the same wine - very interesting"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FcaxryEvZYh3TMb0tN1zn%2FWynns.jpg?alt=media&token=9fc32544-5808-4d2f-8831-20640b07450d"},{"type":"text","content":"Wynns website"},{"type":"link","content":"https://www.wynns.com.au/"}]},{"address":"Redman Wines","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.13860712753255364,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-37.28542426209114,"longitude":140.8381572},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Redman Wines\nThe story of the region continues at Redman with the photos of generations of winemakers around the cellar door. And it is most likely that one of the family members is going to serve you wine. Their wines are history and tradition in a bottle. Compare different vintages and grab a couple of bottles to enjoy now and cellar for years to come."},{"type":"text","content":"# Questions to ask:\nAsk them about their family story, famous Bill Redman, what kind of person he was, why he was growing wine in Coonawarra when no one else was, and how wine changed over the years."},{"type":"text","content":"# Wines to buy:\n* The Last Row Shiraz - made from 100 y.o. vines. Cellar door and online only.\n* Or any Shiraz - grab your favourite vintage or all 3 to enjoy a vertical tasting with friends back home\n* Riesling - rich in petrol aromas and tropical fruit. Great to cellar for 5-10 years and more.\n* If you can afford it buy William Wilson Shiraz - cellar door only and a unique experience."},{"type":"text","content":"Redman website"},{"type":"link","content":"https://www.redman.com.au/"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FcaxryEvZYh3TMb0tN1zn%2FRedman-1.jpg?alt=media&token=d2ae813b-e523-47cd-ba9b-5638a2bdb87a"}]},{"address":"Brand's Laira Coonawarra","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.13860712753255364,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-37.28827951209239,"longitude":140.83613265},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Brand's Laira Coonawarra"},{"type":"text","content":"Eric Brand married Nancy Redman and together they set up this winery in 1950. So it makes perfect sense to visit after Redman. plus they have a gorgeous outdoor area to enjoy the tasting, take some photos and soak in nature. Get a private tour experience for $45 dollars (I love these tours because you get to hear more great stories and visit behind the scenes of winemaking). Whatever you do, visiting their cellar (behind the bar) is a must. There you will find the story of Coonawarra in bottles collected by Eric Brand himself."},{"type":"text","content":"# Questions to ask:\n* History of the vineyards\n* Where the name Brand’s Laira comes from\n* What are their oldest vineyards\n* Who Eric Brand was and how he is related to Redmans."},{"type":"text","content":"# Wines to buy:\n* Tall Vine Shiraz 2010 - fruit-driven, concentrated fruit, prunes and quince paste, fine tannins, great expression of Coonawarra. Cellar door only.\n* Blocker's Chardonnay - peach, melon and a touch of cream. If you don't like creamy oaky Chardonnay, this one is for you\n* Old Station Cab Shiraz - juicy dark fruit\n* Old Station Rosé - fresh flowers and strawberry and tropical berries\n* If you can afford it get their Stentiford Shiraz."},{"type":"text","content":"Brand's Laira website"},{"type":"link","content":"https://www.brandslaira.com/"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FcaxryEvZYh3TMb0tN1zn%2FBrands%20Laira%20Logo%20%20NEW.jpg?alt=media&token=76c4801f-c75c-417a-bfa5-0aafcdecf7c9"}]},{"address":"Ottelia","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.13860712753255364,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-37.29165806209391,"longitude":140.8347627},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Lunch stop - Ottelia\nFood is very enjoyable and exquisite though the place may not look like it from the outside. It is a wonderful epicurean experience. Every dish is a great combination of flavours and pairs well with their wines. The servings are\nmoderate so grab a pizza as well. It is stone oven-baked and absolutely delicious.\n\nBook a tasting together with your lunch so that you are productive while you wait."},{"type":"text","content":"# Wines to buy:\nYou absolutely have to get at least one bottle of Taschini. It’s a unique blend of Pinot Gris, Graciano, Sangiovese. Perfect for summer, picnics, barbeques with friends, almost any activity or food."},{"type":"text","content":"Ottelia website"},{"type":"link","content":"https://ottelia.com.au/"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FcaxryEvZYh3TMb0tN1zn%2Fimage-045.png?alt=media&token=b81bd47c-45b2-45e0-842b-ecfb4d621d6a"}]},{"address":"Katnook Estate","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.13860712753255364,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-37.328874662110174,"longitude":140.83577445000003},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Katnook Estate\nThough Wynns is a former John Riddoch's estate, that's not where he 'started\" Coonawarra, but at Katnook. The cellar door operates in Riddoch's original woolshed building. Today Katnook still represents the essence of Coonawarra making must-try wines."},{"type":"text","content":"# Questions to ask:\n* More about Riddoch \n* What happened to the estate after his death\n* About their sustainable practices today"},{"type":"text","content":"# Wines to buy:\n* The Caledonian Cab Shiraz - rich black fruit, cedar and spice\n* Founder's Block Sparkling Shiraz - you can't leave Coonawarra without a few bottles of red sparkling\n* Katnook Estate Riesling back vintages - it's fantastic and a steal for this price\n* (if you can afford it) - Katnook Odyssey (Cab Sauv) or Katnook Prodigy (Shiraz) - they are phenomenal"},{"type":"text","content":"Katnook website"},{"type":"link","content":"https://www.katnookestate.com.au/"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FcaxryEvZYh3TMb0tN1zn%2FKEWineLogo2015VertVersPMS-ColPos.jpg?alt=media&token=4b6a3ea7-dcf3-4255-9e71-48e2b4017fd3"}]},{"address":"Balnaves of Coonawarra","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.13860712753255364,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-37.34849786211882,"longitude":140.84648270000002},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Balnaves of Coonawarra\nTaste their wines, chill at the beautiful outdoor area - it's the perfect wrap for the day. And once you hear the story of the place, it will all make sense, you'll realise, we went the full circle and got a perfect picture on how Coonawarra started and how everyone's interconnected here."},{"type":"text","content":"# Questions to ask:\n* How the Balnaves family is related to William Wilson and Redmans\n* What is their winemaking philosophy today\n* What wines reflects their style the best"},{"type":"text","content":"# Wines to buy:\n* Entav Clone - is the must-have for that bold rich character that Balnaves are good at. Ask them what is entav - the story is interesting as well;\n* The Blend - similar to Entav but much gentler and fruitier\n* Cheeky Red Rose' - great rose' for those who like it on a fruitier side with a bit of residual sugar;\n* The Tally - if you haven't spent all all your daily wine allowance yet, get a bottle. It is a fantastic\nrepresentation of what Coonawarra Cab Sauv can be."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FcaxryEvZYh3TMb0tN1zn%2FBlack-Logo%402x.png?alt=media&token=5fff2cb5-9128-4b9f-83c6-78eafa2db27c"}]}]