Coonawarra Wine Region
Coonawarra
A famous cabernet region known for its “terra rossa” soil, with more than 20 cellar doors lining the road.
Coonawarra is one of Australia's most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon regions. Its core is a strip of terra rossa about 15 km long and less than 2 km wide: red soil over limestone that produces firmly structured red wines. More than 20 wineries, including Wynns, Penley, Balnaves and Rymill, line the Riddoch Highway, and most cellar doors offer free or low-cost tastings. The nearby town of Penola preserves colonial-era cottages and is good for lunch. Coonawarra lies about 60 km from Mount Gambier, so arrange a driver or join a group tour for tastings.
Opening hours
Cellar shops mostly open 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Naracoorte Caves National Park
- Engelbrecht Cave
- Tantanoola Caves
- Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre
- Cave Garden / Thugi
- Umpherston Sinkhole
- Valley Lake / Ketla Malpi
- Centenary Tower