Coonawara
Coonawarra is the largest wine growing region in coastal South Australia. The first vines were planted in the last decade of the 19th century by the Scottish settler John Riddoch. It is credited with producing some of the best red wines in the country, and is often described as Australia's most famous terroir. It is located in the far south-east of the state, near the border with Victoria south of Wrattonbully. The proximity of the Southern Ocean gives Coonawarra a mild oceanic climate, with Mediterranean effects in summer moderated by cool breezes coming from the sea. This cooling of the vines is essential to the richness and complexity of the region's wines, because it extends the maturation period, resulting in the development of a wide range of flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon is the star of the region, producing some of Australia's greatest wines. They feature concentrated fruit flavors and, although the principles of winemaking are to extract as much tannin as possible, they are well integrated and never overpowering.
