Pre European settlement: The Pinechunga people were the traditional custodians of the land now known as Penola. The last known full blooded member, Yallum Jacky, died in 1903. Born around the same time as John Riddoch, he and his wife Kitty worked at Yallum Park for Riddoch, where Yallum Jacky was employed for over 40 years. He played an important role in the estate, overseeing the hiring and care of Aboriginal farm hands. Jacky outlived Riddoch by just one year.

 

Another prominent Pinechunga born woman was Annie Brice. She was born in 1849 in an Aboriginal camp near a lagoon close to Old Penola Station. Alexander and Margaret Cameron owned this property at the time. Annie’s mother was a full blooded Boandik woman from Berrin (Mount Gambier) and her father William Brice, a freed convict from Van Dieman’s land. Annie died in 1931 in Berrin after giving birth to 13 children.

 

1845-1861: Brothers Duncan and Alexander Cameron, emigrants from the Scottish Highlands, were among the first pastoralists in the district and played a key role in the establishment of Penola. In 1845, Duncan Cameron took out his first Occupation Licence on land that would later become Katnook. In 1849, he sold the southern portion of this land (including Katnook) to the Austin Brothers. In 1856, Thomas and Harry Wells purchased Yallum, which included Katnook, before selling it to John Riddoch in 1861.

 

1862: Scottish immigrant and successful pastoralist John Riddoch built the Katnook Woolshed.

 

1868: The Glen Roy Shearing Shed was built by Ronald McDonald and designed by William Thomas Gore.

 

1890: Riddoch initiated the Penola Fruit Colony, subdividing land into small blocks, aiming to promote settlement and agricultural development in the region.

 

1891: Old records mention that the first vines were planted in the area in 1862. However, it was not until 1891 that larger plantings were undertaken by John Riddoch. Riddoch developed 81 hectares of the Penola Fruit Colony, including 52 hectares of vines, 14 hectares of apples, 11 hectares of peaches and apricots, 2.5 hectares of pears, 2 hectares each of walnuts, and lemons.

 

1895: Coonawarra’s first vintage, the Coonawarra Vineyards Claret, was produced by Frederick Wood in the Nursery Shed on Richardson Road.

 

1896: Coonawarra’s second vintage was crafted by William Salter in the Katnook Woolshed. Meanwhile, Riddoch commissioned a large tri-gabled winery and cellar (Wynns Coonawarra) made from local stone, which was completed in time for the third vintage in 1897.

 

1897: The region was officially named Coonawarra, a name believed to derive from the Pinechunga/Boandik word for swan (kunuwara or koo-no-war), previously thought to mean “honeysuckle.”

 

1900: By the turn of the century, Coonawarra comprised of the Riddoch winery and vineyards, along with the small holdings of the “blockers” who had been allocated allotments.

 

1901: The death of John Riddoch at age 73 marked the beginning of a challenging era for Coonawarra. Following his death, the Coonawarra Fruit Colony fell into financial difficulty, and winemaking activity declined sharply. Despite Riddoch’s vision to transform South Australia’s South East into a thriving agricultural hub, progress was hampered by Coonawarra’s isolation, poor infrastructure, labour shortages, economic depression, and the impact of two world wars.

 

That same year, Bill Redman (14-year-old) arrived in Coonawarra to work at the Riddoch winery, beginning a lifelong career that would prove vital to the region’s survival. Redman later reflected on this difficult period, stating, “From 1890 to 1945, you can write failure across the face of Coonawarra.” Yet under his guidance, the Redman family continued producing table wines, helping to preserve Coonawarra’s winemaking tradition through these challenging decades.

 

1907: Bill Redman was promoted to Head Cellar Man. Due to unsold wine, the Coonawarra Cellars installed a pot still to produce brandy. The chimney still stands at Wynns Coonawarra as a stark reminder of those challenging times in Coonawarra – an era that endured for nearly 50 years.

 

1908: Bill Redman was offered 16 hectares from the Riddoch Estate, which he purchased on very favourable terms – largely because no one else was interested at the time. Redman began selling his wine to the company Scott & Tolley, who bought everything he produced for just 2.5 cents per litre. Recognising its quality, Tolley kept Redman’s wine separate from their own and bottled it under the label “Hope Valley Burgundy.” Remarkably, some of these bottles still exist today, offering a rare glimpse into the wines produced prior to 1946.

 

1908-1966: Arthur Hoffmann supplied grapes to Rouge Homme, with Bill Redman frequently noting the excellent quality of fruit from the Hoffmann vineyards. Arthur continued to manage vineyards in Coonawarra until the late 1980s, earning recognition as a pioneer of viticulture in the region.

 

1910:  The Riddoch Cellars was sold to Chateau Tanunda, which focussed solely on brandy production.

 

1913: Tolley terminated the arrangement with Bill Redman, reportedly because British buyers were showing a preference for Redman’s wines over Tolley’s own. Redman then secured a new partnership with Woodley Wines, an arrangement that continued until 1956. During this period, grape prices declined so drastically that some growers chose to feed their grapes to pigs rather than accept the low prices offered by the distillery.

 

1914: The First World War had a profound impact on wine production, markets and manpower. Wine exports dropped sharply.

 

1915: Chateau Tanunda sold its cellars and distillery to Adelaide based Milne and Co who continued brandy production until 1945.

 

1920: Approximately 50 hectares of vines were planted in the region.

 

1922: Coonawarra Soldiers Memorial Hall officially opened with grand celebrations featuring local produce, home baking, performances, and brass bands.

 

1926: The South Australian Government, seeking to shift agricultural priorities, offered soldier settlers £11.12 per hectare to remove their vines and establish dairy farms instead. As a result, within just a few years, only 120 hectares of the original 360 hectares of vines remained in the region.

1931: A second winery was constructed in Coonawarra by H.B.H. Richardson, located on the north-eastern corner of Riddoch Highway and Tricia Reschke Road. Only two vintages were produced, as the wine proved difficult to sell. The concrete fermenting tanks remained on the site until around 1965, when they were bulldozed into a nearby quarry.

 

1933: Wines from Coonawarra were gaining recognition. Woodley Wines bottled the Redman wine under the St Adele label and won first prize at the 1933 London Wine Fair.

 

1935: Melbourne-based wine merchant and restaurateur Samuel Wynn became interested in the wines Woodley were producing, and the potential of the region.

 

1945/46: With the rising success of Woodley’s Coonawarra wines, the company purchased John Riddoch’s original gabled winery from distillers Milne & Co, along with 53 hectares of vineyards, for the princely sum of £9,000. The historic building was renamed Chateau Comaum and, after nearly 50 years, once again operated as a working winery. Woodley appointed Bill Redman and his son Owen, who had returned to Coonawarra after serving in the war, as managers of the newly acquired winery. This arrangement continued until 1951.

 

1949 -1956: Bill Redman crafted the Woodley’s Treasure Chest series, which were predominantly Shiraz and Cabernet blends but ‘Australian Claret’ in style. During this era, several wines from Coonawarra gained legendary status, including the 1955 Wynn’s Michael Hermitage, the 1955 and 1959 Wynn’s Cabernet Sauvignons, and the Rouge Homme Cabernet Sauvignons of 1959 and 1960. These wines helped cement Coonawarra’s reputation on the world stage.

 

1950s and 1960s: Technological innovations, including refrigeration and stainless-steel tanks, improved wine quality.

 

1951: Against the advice of his management team, David Wynn purchased Chateau Comaum and its surrounding vineyards, renaming it Coonawarra Estate. The property included 52 hectares of vines and 36 hectares of pasture. David was the son of Samuel Wynn, who had first shown interest in Coonawarra wines 16 years earlier.

 

1952: There were 93 hectares of vineyards in Coonawarra – 66 hectares of Shiraz, 20 hectares of Doradillo, 3 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 has of Pedro Ximenez and 2 hectares of other varieties.

 

1952: The Redman family launched their own label, Rouge Homme. ​

 

1953: Mildara (based in Merbein near Mildura) under the leadership of Ron Haselgrove sourced Coonawarra wine in 1953 with the aim of making more elegant reds which ultimately lead to the purchase of 12.5Ha of terra rossa soil in 1955.  A blend of 50% Coonawrra Cab with 50% Hunter shiraz was released in 1958. In 1966 their first Coonawarra Cabernet, Shiraz, Malbec. 

 

1955: Redman couldn’t meet demand, prompting Haselgrove to commission new vineyard developments for Mildara.

 

1957: Penfolds purchased 16 hectares from the Sharam family.

1962: Mildara processed 49 tonnes in its first vintage at Rouge Homme.  

 

1963: Mildara completed its new winery, producing the renowned “Peppermint Pattie” Cabernet.

 

1965: Lindemans bought Rouge Homme from the Redman family.

 

Eric Brand, son-in-law of Bill Redman, built the Brand’s Laira winery.

 

Owen Redman purchased the Hoffmann Vineyard from Arthur Hoffmann.

 

1966: Eric Brand produced the first vintage of Shiraz under the Brand’s Laira label.

 

 Owen Redman launched the Redman label with the release of the first Redman Claret.

 

1968: The Yunghanns family, through the Coonawarra Machinery Company and under the management of Ray Stehbens, purchased a property for development. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, they played a key role as vineyard developers and contractors, eventually leading to the establishment of Katnook Estate.

 

Ken Kidman planted the first vines on Limestone Ridge Estate, establishing the ‘Terra Rossa’ wine company, which later became Kidman Wines.

 

1968: The Lynn family planted the first vines on what would later become Majella Wines.

 

1969: The Redman winery was completed.

 

1970’s: The decade began with increased plantings of red grape varieties, driven by the rising popularity of red wine. However, by the mid-1970s, consumer preference shifted dramatically to white wine, triggering the sudden “White Wine Boom.” Demand quickly outstripped supply, prompting winemakers to experiment, often unsuccessfully, with producing white wine from red grapes.

 

In Coonawarra, this shift significantly impacted sales and vineyard practices. It became common for buyers to purchase red grapes like Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon only if white varieties, particularly Riesling, were included in the deal. A rough formula emerged: one tonne of Riesling would help move two tonnes of Shiraz and one tonne of Cabernet. As a result, many vineyards grafted over red varieties to whites, favouring Riesling, Traminer, and Sauvignon Blanc. While some Chardonnay became available, it remained in limited supply.

 

1970: Eric Brand wins inaugural Stodart Trophy for Red Wine at Brisbane Wine Show for the 1969 Brand’s Laira Shiraz.

 

Wynns Coonawarra winery was taken over by the large public company and brewer Castlemaine Tooheys. Rouge Homme was owned by cigarette manufacturer Phillip Morris.

 

Doug Balnaves started in the wine industry with Hungerford Hill Wines Coonawarra.

 

1971:  Brand’s Laira made the first vintage of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon in Coonawarra.

 

Hunter Valley–based company Hungerford Hill purchased 160 hectares in Coonawarra and immediately began operations, planting a 100 hectare vineyard that same year under the management of Doug Balnaves.

 

1973: Peter Rymill (Rymill Coonawarra) and Tim Wetherall (Wetherall Wines) both planted vineyards, continuing the growing trend of farmers entering the wine industry.

 

The Mildara Coonawarra winery was built. Ultimately Mildara purchased Wolf Blass wines in 1991. Labels under Wolf Blass, then Jamieson’s Run and Robertson’s Well helped make Coonawarra a household name.

 

1974: The last orchard in Coonawarra, a 4 hectare patch owned by Eric Brand, was bulldozed to make way for vineyards.

 

Leconfield winery was established by retired 76-year-old winemaker Sid Hamilton. His nephew, Dr. Richard Hamilton, purchased the business in 1981.

 

James and Julie Haselgrove planted their first vineyard opposite Hollick Estate.

 

Ian Hollick purchased a piece of grazing land on the southern end of the Coonawarra district.

 

1975: Doug and Joy Bowen produced their first vintage at Bowen Estate, having purchased their property from Frank Franze, who had planted a small vineyard on the site in the early 1970s. Frank was also a long term employee of the Redman family.

 

Ian and Wendy Hollick planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Pinot Noir vineyards.

 

The Balnaves first Shiraz vineyard was planted. Plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay followed.

 

1977: Wynns Coonawarra Estate won Coonawarra’s first Jimmy Watson Trophy for One-Year-Old Reds with its 1976 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

1978: The Messenger family established Penowarra winery.  Petaluma purchased the Evans Vineyard.

 

1979: The first vintage of Katnook’s modern era was produced by winemaker Wayne Stehbens, in the very same woolshed John Riddoch had used as his winery 84 years earlier. The following year Katnook released their first crop Sauvignon Blanc, which was one of Australia’s first straight Sauvignon Blancs.

 

The Coonawarra Community Club was established, and with it began the popular “tea night” tradition – a monthly roster of locals cooking for each other on the last Friday of each month.

1980: Darren (7.y.o) and Kirsty (5.y.o) Clifford discovered historic bottles hidden in a cellar wall at Yallum Park, including a “Coonawarra Vineyards Claret” marked ‘Vintage No. 0’ and signed JR – John Riddoch. The vintage is believed to predate 1900.

 

 The Coonawarra Vignerons Association was formed to promote Coonawarra. Doug Balnaves was inaugural President.

 

Orlando wines launched their St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet.

 

1981: Lindemans won the Jimmy Watson Trophy, for One Year Old Reds for the 1980 St George Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

1982: The first running of the Coonawarra Vignerons Cup was held at the Penola Racecourse.

 

Demetrio, Francesca, Matt, and Nick Zema purchased 8 hectares in Coonawarra, including 4 hectares of mature Shiraz vines. They established Zema Estate and opened a Cellar Door, and released their first vintage – a Shiraz.

 

Mildara won the Jimmy Watson Trophy for Best One-Year-Old Dry Red with the 1981 Hamilton’s Ewell Vineyards Dry Red Claret – a blend of 67% Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Eden Valley Shiraz.

 

Peter and Carol McDonald established Ladbroke Grove in the historic Penola Butter Factory, sourcing fruit from the Church Block in Coonawarra.

 

1983: Ian and Wendy Hollick established Hollick Wines, restoring the original slab cottage on Neilson’s Block to serve as their Cellar Door. That same year, they released their first Cabernet Sauvignon vintage.

 

1984: The Zema family planted, the ‘winery block’ Cabernet Sauvignon. This proved to be extremely challenging due to the large amount of limestone present over the 4.8 hectares of pure terra rossa soil.

 

Chardonnay Lodge opened, offering a restaurant and accommodation.

 

Sid and Susie Kidman converted the original horse stables at Limestone Ridge Estate into a Cellar Door under the wine label The Ridge Wines.

 

1985: Hollick Wines launched onto the national and international wine scene by winning the 1985 Jimmy Watson Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show for their Cabernet Sauvignon. Demand for the Hollick product was such that expansion was necessary.

 

John and Faye Parker established Parker Coonawarra Estate.

 

Yalumba planted their first vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

1986: Lindemans won the Jimmy Watson Trophy for One-Year-Old Reds with the 1985 Pyrus.

 

Hungerford Hill opened their Cellar Door, in the same location where Whistle Post is today.

 

1987: Katnook won the Jimmy Watson Trophy for One-Year-Old Reds with the 1986 Riddoch Shiraz Cabernet.

 

Brand’s Laira win gold in every capital city and trophy at Canberra National Wine Show for Best Chardonnay and Best White Wine of Show for their 1986 Chardonnay.

 

 Rymill Coonawarra released their first vintage. Yalumba made their first vintage of The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra.

 

1987: Hollick Wines purchased the nearby “Wilgha” vineyard, to supplement their existing production.

 

1988: Parker Estate released its first vintage of First Growth. Orlando Wines released the first Jacaranda Ridge Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 1982 vintage.

 Penley Estate was established.

 

1989: The Zema family acquired 24.5 hectares from the Abbey family at Coonawarra’s southern end. They planted 17.5 hectares of vineyards which included Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc.

 

Patrick of Coonawarra purchased their initial 1 hectare vineyard in Coonawarra from the Hollick family.

 

Visitor numbers surged during the 1989 pilot’s strike but declined sharply following the subsequent “airfare war” which followed immediately.

 

Mildara won the Jimmy Watson Trophy for One-Year-Old Reds with the 1988 Jamiesons Run blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Franc, and Malbec.

 

Banks Thargo Wines was established with the planting of 4 hectares of Cabernet.

1990s:  Coonawarra experienced a period of rapid growth and transformation. In the early 1990s, Cellar Doors still offered high-quality bulk Shiraz for just 50–75 cents per litre, leading to many home bottlings of excellent Coonawarra red. However, this accessibility quickly changed as Australia’s wine export market gained momentum. Global demand for dry red wines surged, and in just a few years, stock surpluses turned into severe shortages.

 

The export boom had a profound impact on Coonawarra, particularly for red wine, triggering dramatic increases in grape and land prices. Vineyard land that once sold for $42,007 per hectare rose to the same price for bare land, simply because it was suitable for planting.

 

This period also saw major investment from established wine companies such as Orlando, Yalumba, BRL Hardy, Pepper Tree, and Jim Barry Wines, along with the emergence of new local producers including Punters Corner, Gartners, and Lawrence Victor Estate. Many other wineries began sourcing fruit from Coonawarra, further cementing its reputation as one of Australia’s premier wine regions.

 

1990: Lindeman’s winemaker Greg Clayfield was awarded the Robert Mondavi Prize for International Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London.

 

Chris and Fran Raidis planted their first vineyard – 2 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, on the site that would later become Raidis Estate’s Cellar Door.

 

The Porter family established Bundalong with plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

Balnaves of Coonawarra released their first vintage.

 

1991: The first vintage of Katnook Odyssey was released for public sale.

 

Highbank Wines produced their first vintage.

 

Balnaves of Coonawarra opened their Cellar Door.

 

Majella produced their first vintage with 10 tonnes of Shiraz.

 

Wetherall Wines produced their first vintage.

 

1993: The old Coonawarra School reopened as Coonawarra township’s first restaurant, “Nibs.”

 

 John and Melissa Innes planted 2 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, laying the foundation for what would become Ottelia.

 

1994: Rouge Homme Richardsons Red Block Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec/Franc won the Jimmy Watson Trophy for Best One-Year-Old Red from the 1993 vintage.

 

McWilliam’s Wines expanded into Coonawarra with the purchase of Brand’s Laira.

 

1995: BRL Hardy purchased a 26 hectare vineyard on the western side of Coonawarra.

 

Penley Estate winery was built.

 

Rymill Coonawarra Winery and Cellar Door was completed.

 

1996: Balnaves of Coonawarra completed construction of their winery. On the 5th of April, their first grapes were crushed by winemaker Pete Bissell, who had joined the team the previous year.

 

Majella completed their Cellar Door.

 

At this time, many wineries had large volumes of good-quality red wine which was difficult to sell, and grape prices were low.

 

1997: The Barry family purchased the Old Penola Cricket Ground from John Abbey.

 

1998: Katnook Estate Prodigy Shiraz 1997 won the Jimmy Watson Trophy for Best One-Year-Old Red.

 

Koonara Wines released their first vintage, Celestial’s Promise Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

Majella completed construction of their winery.

 

Patrick of Coonawarra released their first vintage, the Home Block Cabernet Sauvignon.

2000: Punters Corner Spartacus Reserve Shiraz 1999 won the Jimmy Watson Trophy for Best One-Year-Old Red.

 

John Cox and Marie Valenzuela purchased Ladbroke Grove Wines.

 

2001: Chris, Fran and Steven Raidis formed Coonawarra Labour Hire Pty Ltd specialising in hand pruning and hand-picking premium fruit for the region.

 

Pepper Tree Wines Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 won the Jimmy Watson Trophy for Best One-Year-Old Red.

 

Parker Estate completed their purpose-built maturation facility and Cellar Door.

 

Pipers of Penola opened, initially run by Hugh Koch and later purchased by Simon and Erika Bowen.

 

2002: Yalumba’s Cellar door was officially opened by Doug Balnaves.

 

The DiGiorgio family acquired Rouge Homme, the second oldest winery in Coonawarra.

 

Hollick Wines completed their new Cellar Door and restaurant, Upstairs at Hollick.

 

2003: Coonawarra’s official Geographical Indication (GI) boundaries were established by the Australian Geographical Indication (AGI) after 7 years of debate and was settled in the Federal Court. The decision resulted in a mutual agreement that slightly expanded the boundary to the north, south, and east, accommodating vineyards on established terra rossa soil. 

 

Steven Raidis planted Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon – 23 hectares in total.

 

2004: Patrick of Coonawarra opened their Cellar Door in the old Hermitage Restaurant building.

 

Koonara Wines opened their Cellar Door on Penola’s main street.

 

The Balnaves of Coonawarra 2004 “The Tally “being awarded Wine of the Year by Jeremy Oliver with 96 points.

 

2005: Balnaves Winemaker Pete Bissell was named Qantas/Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year.

 

2006: Zema Estate built their Bottle Aging Cellar and new Cellar Door.

 

Steven Raidis crafted the first vintage of Billy Cabernet Sauvignon using fruit from Chris and Fran Raidis’ original 1990 plantings.

 

2007: Sue Bell of Bellwether Wines was awarded DUX of the Len Evans Tutorial.

 

Yalumba’s The Menzies 2006, was awarded the 2007 Stodart trophy at the Royal Queensland Wine Show.

 

2008: Balnaves of Coonawarra was named James Halliday’s Winery of the Year in the 2008 Wine Companion. Their 2005 Tally also received the book’s highest rating, scoring 98 points.

 

Majella won the International Wine Challenge for Best Australian Red Wine and the International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy.

 

Sue Bell established Bellwether Wines, repurposing the historic 1868 Glen Roy Shearing Shed as a winery and Cellar Door.

 

2009: Yalumba’s The Menzies 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded the Late Professor A. J. Perkins Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon in Show at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.

 

Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard officially opened the Raidis Estate Cellar Door.

 

Katnook’s new Cellar Door sales building was opened.

 

2010: Coonawarra had 130 vineyards spanning 5,603 hectares and producing 36,094 tonnes of grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon accounted for 46%, proving it was still king.

 

Allen Jenkins and Sue Hodder jointly awarded Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year in recognition of their contribution to viticulture at Wynns Coonawarra Estate

 

2011: “Unearthing Viticulture” complied by Mardi Longbottom was published – recognising the Bonney Upwelling as a key influence on Coonawarra’s cooling climate and stable summer growing conditions.

 

Jack Estate Cellar Door was established at the original Mildara Winery.

 

2012: Whistle Post Coonawarra was established by Brian, Jennifer, Angus, and Heather Smibert.

 

Jack Estate released its first vintages – the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010 Shiraz, 2012 Chardonnay and 2012 Sauvignon Blanc.

 

Yalumba made The Caley 2012, a premium Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with premium Barossa Shiraz.

 

2013: Balnaves family purchase the Punters Corner vineyard on Riddoch Highway.

 

2014: Sue Bell of Bellwether Wines was named Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) Winemaker of the Year.

 

Bill Brand made his first wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon, under the Billy Brand label.

 

Hollick Estates announced a majority investment in their business from the Luneng Group, a Chinese Development Group.

 

2015: Allen Jenkins becomes the first recipient to be awarded Gourmet Traveller’s Viticulturist of the Year, in recognition of his work on the rejuvenation of the Wynns’ vineyards. 

 

Casella Family Brands acquired Brand’s Laira of Coonawarra.

 

2016: Wynns Coonawarra winemakers Sue Hodder and Sarah Pidgeon were jointly named ASVO Winemaker of the Year.

 

The iconic Coonawarra Siding tin shed was blown down in a storm, and in true community spirit the Hollick, Patrick, Bowen and Balnaves families joined forces to rebuild it.

 

Rymill Coonawarra was acquired by Landbridge.

 

2016: Brand and Sons released their first vintage.

 

Whistle Post opened their newly renovated Cellar Door and function space.

 

2017: Brand’s Laira was awarded Best Coonawarra Cabernet at the International Wine Challenge.

 

Chris Plummer of Wynns Coonawarra graduated with Gramp Hardy Smith Dux award, University of Adelaide.

 

Koonara Wines’ Coonawarra vineyards were certified organic.

 

2018: Pete Bissell from Balnaves of Coonawarra was named Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) Winemaker of the year.

 

Treasury Wine Estates purchased Wetherall Coonawarra vineyards.

 

Brand’s Laira refurbished their Coonawarra Cellar Door and function space.

 

Dr Kerry DeGaris from Wynns Coonawarra was named Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) Viticulturist of the Year.

 

Endeavour Drinks (now part of the Endeavour Group) acquired Riddoch Wines.

 

2020: The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped wine tourism. With visitation down, wineries pivoted to virtual tastings, online orders, and seated experiences. Online wine sales surged and domestic travel boomed when state borders reopened.

 

China imposed anti-dumping tariffs of 107%–218% on Australian wine, crippling exports to its most lucrative market and forcing Coonawarra producers to refocus export strategies and diversify into other markets.

 

Accolade Wines purchased Katnook Estate and in 2023, production was moved offsite to Hardys Tintara McLaren Vale. Bill Brand established a new winery, moving Billy Brand’s production in-house.

 

The Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon was released through La Place de Bordeaux, the first Australian wine to be introduced through the system.

 

Dr Cath Kidman of Wynns Coonawarra Awarded Gourmet Traveller 2020 perpetual Viticulturist of the Year award and Australian Women in Wine Viticulturist of the Year award.

2021: Ben Harris of Wynns Coonawarra was named ASVO Viticulturist of the Year.

 

Wynns Coonawarra winemaker Sue Hodder was appointed a Fellow of the ASVO for her outstanding contribution to Australian wine.

 

Penley Estate viticulturist Hans Loder awarded a Nuffield Scholarship to examine practical data management for the Australian wine sector.

 

Dr Cath Kidman of Wynns Coonawarra awarded International Women in Wine and Spirit Viticulturist of the year.

 

Penely Estate Winemaker, Lauren Hansen named among the Top 50 finalists for the Young Gun of the Year Awards

 

 Ottelia opens refurbished Cellar Door + Restaurant in the old Coonawarra School.

 

2022: As international travel resumed, domestic visitation slowed, and the surge in online sales eased, marking the end of the short-lived “COVID wine boom.”

 

The Coonawarra Rail Trail officially opened, running from the Penola township through the Coonawarra wine region.

 

Billy Brand released Coonawarra’s first varietal of Tannat named Arisaig Rd.

 

Jack Estate winery and Balnaves of Coonawarra vineyards and winery was certified members of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.

 

Yalumba’s The Caley 2016 received Trophy for Best Cabernet Shiraz in Australia, Halliday Wine Companion 2022.

 

Winemaker Luke Tocacui of Patrick of Coonawarra was awarded Young Gun of Wine “Danger Zone” trophy, for pushing the boundries with his Méthode range, inluding Cabernet Sauvignon laced with eucalypt character and another made in a gulpable nouveau style.

 

2023: Dr Catherine Kidman of Wynns Coonawarra was named ASVO Viticulturist of the Year.

 

Yalumba’s The Caley received The Great Australian Red Winner as well in 2014, 2015, 2022.

 

The 2021 vintage of Riddoch The Pastoralist Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded the International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) in 2023, declaring it the world’s best for that year’s wines.

 

Patrick of Coonawarra vineyards were certified members of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.

 

2024: Lauren Hansen of Penley Estate was awarded DUX of the Len Evans Tutorial.

 

 

 

Hollick Estate and Raidis Estate vineyards become certified members of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.

 

2025:  Cabernet still reigns, making up 59% of grapes crushed in the 2025 vintage – a testament to Coonawarra’s enduring reputation for premium fruit and world-class wines. Yet alongside this strength, the landscape is evolving with new varieties and innovative practices shaping the region’s future.

 

Winemakers have embraced technological advancements such as reverse osmosis to refine wine styles and cater to evolving consumer preferences.

 

Mataro (Mourvèdre) grapes, planted 130 years before at Yallum Park, were harvested. The variety was identified by DNA testing of samples sent to France in 2023. The vine had been in a state of disrepair and has been reinvigorated by the current owners Andy and Annie Clifford.

 

A significant 87% of Coonawarra’s vineyards participate in Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, underlining the region’s strong commitment to sustainable viticulture.

 

Majella Wines released the first brandy in Coonawarra for more than seventy years, made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes.

 

CSIRO and Treasury Wine Estates planted new mildew-resistant, drought-resilient vines at Wynns Coonawarra Estate – blending heritage genetics and science to safeguard Coonawarra’s wine future.

 

Tim Malone, Penfolds Vineyard Manager, announced Simon Robertson Viticulturalist of the Year at the global Treasury Wine Estates Annual Awards.