The spirit of harvest was officially welcomed in Coonawarra,Wednesday 4 March, as the Coonawarra wine community gathered at the historic Coonawarra Siding to mark the launch of the 2026 vintage.
Stomping into Vintage: Jana Ramson, Cellar Hand – Wynns Coonawarra, Chelsey Wilmshurst, Laboratory Technician – Rymill Coonawarra, Cameron Ding, Director of Hollick Estates
The much-loved tradition marks the beginning of harvest and celebrates the growers, winemakers, vintage teams and industry supporters whose collective efforts bring each vintage to life.
Set against the backdrop of Coonawarra’s famed Terra Rossa vineyards, the ceremony paid tribute to the region’s rich heritage and pioneering roots. Proceedings commenced with the stirring sound of bagpipes played by Neil McLean alongside Coonawarra Vignerons Patron Doug Balnaves — honouring the Scottish heritage of Coonawarra’s founder, John Riddoch.
Guests then gathered beside the railway siding for the ceremonial opening of vintage, including the symbolic transfer of freshly harvested grapes into barrels and the traditional smashing of a wine bottle to christen the season ahead.
A highlight of the evening was the grape stomp, featuring three members of the region’s vintage workforce whose varied roles and backgrounds reflect the diversity of the modern wine industry.
Taking centre stage on the iconic Coonawarra Siding Platform was Chelsey Wilmshurst, Limestone Coast local and Laboratory Technician at Rymill; Cameron Ding, Director of Hollick Estates and a Chinese national contributing international perspective to the Coonawarra community; and Jana Ramson of Estonia, a seasonal cellar hand at Wynns Coonawarra Estate undertaking her second vintage in the region.
Their participation highlighted the blend of local talent and global experience that comes together each year during vintage in Coonawarra.
The ceremony also featured the traditional bottle smash, conducted by Coonawarra Vignerons Patrons Greg Clayfield and Bruce Redman, who mark the occasion by smashing a bottle of Coonawarra wine — the previous year’s vintage — symbolising the conclusion of the 2025 season and christening the beginning of Vintage 2026.
Coonawarra Vignerons Executive Officer Heidi Guyett said the event provides an opportunity for the region to pause and acknowledge the significance of the moment.
“Vintage is the culmination of months of dedication in the vineyard, and it’s always special to come together as a community to mark the start of harvest,” she said.
“Coonawarra has a proud winemaking heritage, and the Vintage Launch is a wonderful way to honour that history while looking ahead to the wines that will shape the region’s future.”
With vineyards across the district showing healthy fruit and balanced canopies, early signs indicate another promising season for the region. The 2026 harvest is expected to commence later than average, following a growing season that has progressed at a measured pace. Harvest activity has begun in earnest, with winery teams preparing for the busy weeks ahead as fruit is carefully picked and processed at optimal ripeness.
The annual launch also highlights the strong sense of community that defines Coonawarra, bringing together multiple generations of wine families alongside those new to the industry.As the first grapes of the season begin their journey from vine to winery, the 2026 vintage promises to continue Coonawarra’s reputation for producing wines of elegance, balance and longevity — hallmarks of the region’s internationally celebrated Terra Rossa soils.
Over the coming weeks, wineries across the region will work around the clock as the 2026 vintage unfolds and another chapter in Coonawarra’s winemaking story begins.
