Limestone Coast Zone (Regions: Coonawarra, Mount Benson, Padthaway, Robe, Wrattonbully)

1. Coonawarra

• Most southerly wine district in South Australia
• Only 60 kilometres (37 miles) inland, and a predominantly maritime climate prevails with the dry and moderately cool summers
• Coonawarra climate can resemble that of Bordeaux
• It is the extensive cloud cover that moderates the most important ripening period temperatures and which sets the region apart from other wine regions.
• Known for the world renowned Cabernet Sauvignon grown in its terra rossa soil (Australia’s most famous vividly red colored soil)
• The other soil type: black rendzina soil, lying to the west of the limestone ridge, but because of its poor drainage this soil does not favor the production of quality red wine fruit
• Other varieties: Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon and Shiraz

2. Mount Benson

• Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc
• Located on the Western edge of the Limestone Coast of South Australia’s South Eastern strip
• Varieties: Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc
• Climate is cool and maritime
• Water-holding mineral base under rich red terra rossa soils, perfect for viticulture
• Wines made here tend to be fruitier and less tannic than Coonawarra

 
3. Padthaway

• Originally known as Keppoch
• Slightly warmer than Coonawarra
• No significant mountains, generally a maritime climate
• Most of the vineyards are on flat ground except on the region’s eastern boundary where vines grow on the gently undulating wooded slopes of the West Naracoorte Ridge
• More well known for its white wine production, particularly Chardonnay
• Other varieties: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdelho and their reds Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.

4. Robe

• Located near Mount Benson in the southeast part of the state
• The region extends east along the Limestone Coast from Robe to Beachport in the east
• Newest official wine region, having been declared in 2006
• The climate, like Mt Benson’s, is cool and strongly maritime, being influenced by the Southern Ocean to the west and lakes to the east
• Most grapes are shipped out of the region for processing, however the region is developing its own unique style of wines with local wineries processing their own fruit
• The main grape varieties currently planted are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, followed by Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon

5. Wrattonbully

• Coonawarra to the south and Padthaway to the north-west
• Vineyards tend to be higher elevated and on better drained soils than Coonwarra
• Lies over several ranges including Stewarts Range, the Naracoorte Range (also known as the Kanawinka escarpment) the Caves Range and Hynam Range
• Most of the vineyards of Wrattonbully are on the western side of the ranges at an elevation of 75 to 100 metres (246 to 328 feet) above sea level on gently hilly slopes
• Climate is slightly warmer than Coonawarra and cooler than Padthaway
• Cabernet Sauvignon is the main variety grown with just under half the total area
• Shiraz, Merlot and Chardonnay. with additional plantings of Tempranillo