| TRIP DETAILS – COONAWARRA | |
|---|---|
| Trip Name | Coonawarra Immersion Tour: Terroir, Tradition & Innovation |
| Host | Coonawarra Vignerons |
| Date | 12th April – 14th April 2027 |
| Capacity | Min 12. – max. 30 |
Discover the heart and soul of Australian Cabernet country with an immersive three-day journey through Coonawarra, one of the Australia’s most distinguished wine regions. Famed for its vivid terra rossa soils, cool maritime climate, and over a century of winemaking heritage, Coonawarra produces wines of extraordinary elegance, structure and longevity.
Experience first-hand the region’s geology, terroir and the people who bring its wines to life. Through a blend of guided tastings, vineyard visits, and cultural experiences, discover how soil, climate, and community combine to produce wines of remarkable elegance, balance and longevity.
From shared tables under the stars to masterclasses in Cabernet and “The Great Australian Red Blend,” this visit promises an authentic connection to the land and its custodians. Rich in heritage yet forward-looking in innovation, Coonawarra offers an inspiring encounter with the essence of Australian terroir.
Renowned globally for producing wines of exceptional quality and distinctive regional character, Coonawarra stands as one of Australia’s most celebrated and geographically unique wine regions. Located in South Australia’s Limestone Coast, this narrow strip of “terra rossa” soil – a rich, red, free-draining topsoil over porous limestone – is the foundation of Coonawarra’s remarkable viticultural success.
Home to some of the country’s most respected winemaking families and historic estates, Coonawarra boasts a legacy that spans over 130 years, with pioneers such as John Riddoch laying the groundwork for what is today a world-class wine destination. The region’s cool maritime climate, long ripening season, and exceptional soil profile together yield wines of great depth, elegance, and longevity — particularly its signature Cabernet Sauvignon, celebrated for its fine tannins, cassis-driven fruit, and unmistakable regional line of purity and balance.
Beyond Cabernet, Coonawarra’s winemakers craft expressive Shiraz, Merlot, and Chardonnay, alongside vibrant Rieslings and emerging alternative varieties that showcase the innovation and diversity of this close-knit community of growers and producers.
Visitors are welcomed into the heart of this region through intimate cellar doors, family-owned estates, and architecturally striking wineries, where a spirit of collaboration and authenticity shines.
The compact nature of the region – a single stretch of vineyards just 20 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide – allows for immersive touring and meaningful engagement with the people behind the wines.
Coonawarra offers not only exceptional wines but also a deep sense of place, heritage, and genuine hospitality. From vineyard tastings and blending experiences to shared tables of regional produce and warm conversations with the custodians of the land, this visit promises an unforgettable insight into the essence of Australian fine wine.
All guests are required to make their own travel arrangements to/from the trip start and end meeting point in the Adelaide CBD. Please notify the trip host if you have any dietary or access requirements.
| DAY 1 – MONDAY 12th APRIL | |
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| Travel to Coonawarra BY AIR - REX Airlines / QANTAS LINK (subject to service times). Dept ADL Airport 1540 (Duration 1hr10mins) Charter Flight option being explored, with aim to bring guests to region earlier (ie. 1pm arrival) | |
| 4:30 pm | Arrive in Coonawarra / Penola Be greeted by representatives of Coonawarra Wine Region, then check into accommodation to freshen up prior to transfer to dinner |
| 5:45 pm | Guests collected and transferred to dinner venue |
| 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | 'Dinner with the Stars' – Bellwether Winery Commence your Coonawarra experience beneath the southern sky at the historic Glen Roy Shearing Shed, home of Bellwether Wines. Enjoy a relaxed evening featuring regional produce and local wines, introduced with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Boandik Elder. The menu will highlight Coonawarra’s culinary and cultural heritage, shared alongside stories from local winemakers and community members. |
| DAY 2 – TUESDAY 13th APRIL | |
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| 8:00 am | Breakfast at the Coonawarra Siding Begin the day in the heart of the region with breakfast at the iconic Coonawarra Siding. Surrounded by vineyards, delegates will gain insight into the geological and climatic forces that define Coonawarra’s terroir — from its famed terra rossa soils to the limestone beneath. |
| 9:00 am | Vineyard Tour Explore the cutting-edge viticultural research shaping Coonawarra’s future. Learn how rootstock trials, clonal selection and genetic advancements are influencing modern grape growing practices and contributing to the refinement of the region’s renowned wine styles. |
| 10:00 am | Morning Tea at Wynns Coonawarra |
| 10:30 am – 12:30 pm | Masterclass – The Great Australian Red Blend Hosted in the historic John Riddoch Room at Wynns Coonawarra Estate, delve into the evolution of the Great Australian Red Blend. Coonawarra has over seven decades of history and stories linking the region to this unique style. Taste and compare both current and aged examples, exploring the balance, structure and enduring appeal of this uniquely Australian style. |
| 12:45 pm – 2:15 pm | Lunch at Ottelia Savour a relaxed, produce-driven lunch at Ottelia, where seasonal ingredients and local wines come together in an elegant regional dining experience |
| 2:30 pm | Afternoon Activities – Choose Your Own Adventure Select from a range of immersive experiences: - Visit the original home of Coonawarra’s Founding Father John Riddoch. Built between 1878 and 1880, Yallum Park Homestead is a grand Victorian mansion and one of Australia's most well-preserved historic residences. - Coonawarra is home to Australia’s first saint – Mary MacKillop. Take a guided tour of the Mary MacKillop Centre in Penola and learn about her ties to our community. - April is vintage in Coonawarra – go behind the scenes at the peak of vintage operations to get a piece of the action. |
| 4:30 pm | Return to accommodation to refresh for the evening |
| 5:15 pm | Guests collected and transferred to dinner venue |
| 5:30 pm | Pre-Dinner in the Coonawarra Park As the sun sets over the vineyards, meet Coonawarra’s “wine nerds” — the winemakers, viticulturists and lab teams who bring the region’s wines to life. Enjoy relaxed tastings and conversation in the park’s garden setting before strolling to Brand’s Laira for dinner. |
| 6:15 pm | Dinner at Brand's Laira Experience Coonawarra’s heritage and the art of cellaring during an intimate dinner featuring aged wines from the region’s historic estates. Shared plates of local fare will showcase how Coonawarra’s graceful, long-lived wines complement diverse cuisines. |
| DAY 3 - WEDNESDAY 14th APRIL | |
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| 7:45 am | C/out of accommodation and transferred via shuttle to winery |
| 8:00 am | Farewell Breakfast at Balnaves of Coonawarra Conclude your visit with a traditional sparkling red breakfast at Balnaves. Enjoy locally roasted coffee, hearty fare, and one last taste of Coonawarra hospitality before departure. |
| 9:00 am | Depart Coonawarra - via plane –
Transfer to Mt Gambier airport for 1015 departure to ADL.
Arrive in ADL -approx. 1130 Charter Flight option being explored, with aim to delay guests departure to 1130 |
*As April falls during peak vintage in Coonawarra, combined with the irregularity of passenger transport options to the region, please note that elements of the itinerary may be subject to change as we refine logistics and confirm availability with producers.
