Coonawarra
A narrow strip of red terra rossa soil over limestone that produces some of Australia's most celebrated and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon.
A ribbon of red earth
Coonawarra is defined by a cigar-shaped band of terra rossa - a thin, iron-rich red soil sitting over free-draining limestone - that runs barely two kilometres wide and stretches for some twenty-odd kilometres in length. Established for vines by Scottish pastoralist John Riddoch in the 1890s, this narrow strip in the south-east corner of South Australia has become synonymous with structured, cellar-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon. The long, cool ripening season gives the region's reds their hallmark depth, firm tannins and notes of cassis, cedar and mint.
Cellar doors and country roads
More than twenty cellar doors line the Riddoch Highway, most open seven days a week, making the region wonderfully easy to explore. Long-established names such as Wynns Coonawarra Estate sit alongside a host of family producers, and the Coonawarra Wineries Walking Trail links several together on foot.
Beyond the vines
Nearby, the historic town of Penola anchors the region, with its strong Mary MacKillop heritage and tree-lined heritage streets. Each October the region hosts the month-long Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations, a high point of the local calendar.
Visiting Coonawarra - frequently asked questions
What is Coonawarra known for?
Coonawarra is one of Australia's most celebrated wine regions, famous above all for its structured, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon. The reputation rests on a narrow band of red terra rossa soil over limestone and a long, cool ripening season, which together give the wines their distinctive depth and firm tannins.
How far is Coonawarra from Adelaide?
Coonawarra lies in the south-east corner of South Australia, roughly a four-hour drive from Adelaide via the Dukes and Riddoch highways. The nearest regional hub is Mount Gambier, which is around a 40-minute drive to the south.
What is there to do in Coonawarra?
The main draw is cellar door tasting, with more than twenty wineries clustered along the Riddoch Highway, most open seven days a week. Visitors can also follow the Coonawarra Wineries Walking Trail on foot, and explore the nearby heritage town of Penola with its Mary MacKillop connections.
When is the best time to visit Coonawarra?
Spring and autumn are particularly pleasant, with mild weather ideal for cellar door visits and vineyard walks. October is a highlight, when the region hosts the month-long Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations, while autumn brings the colour of the vintage season.
Why is Coonawarra's terra rossa soil so important?
Terra rossa is a thin, iron-rich red soil that sits over free-draining limestone, and the prized strip is only about two kilometres wide. This combination of soil and drainage, paired with the cool climate, is widely credited with shaping the concentrated, structured character of Coonawarra's red wines.
Things to do in Coonawarra
21 places in this category
No places in this category here yet.
Stories from Coonawarra
Coonawarra: The Red Strip Explained
Coonawarra's fame rests on a cigar-shaped strip of red terra rossa soil over limestone. Here is why those few kilometres matter so much.
June 2026 · 6 min read
The thin red line: understanding terra rossa
Coonawarra's reputation rests on a band of red earth barely a few hundred metres wide in places. Here is what makes terra rossa over limestone so special.
June 2026 · 5 min read
Coonawarra's terra rossa and Cabernet
The whole of Coonawarra's reputation rests on a band of red soil barely two kilometres wide. We dig into the terra rossa, the limestone beneath it, and the Cabernet it grows.
June 2026 · 7 min read
Explore nearby destinations
Image credits
- Vines near Coonawarra.JPG by ScottDavis , CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons