Enjoy your visit to Coonawarra, South Australia. The South Australian Government is the exclusive host sponsor of the 2027 Institute of Masters of Wine Symposium.
| Trip Name | Coonawarra immersion tour: Terroir, tradition & innovation |
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| Host | Coonawarra Vignerons |
| Date | Monday 12 April - Wednesday 14 April 2027 |
| Capacity | Min 12. – max. 30 |
Booking guidance: You can view pricing for each trip on the event registration page. If you have already registered and wish to add a trip to your booking you can do so via ‘manage my account’. If the trip you are hoping to join is not on the booking list this means it is currently at capacity. Please join the wait list here and a member of the team will notify you if a space becomes available. If you have any questions or require support please contact events@mastersofwine.org
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.
Instagram: @Coonawarra_Wine
Facebook: @Coonawarra
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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| MORNING | Travel from ADELAIDE to Coonawarra via Mount Gambier by air. Preferred connection - REX Airlines - Dept ADL Airport 8:45 – 9:55am // Alternative : QANTAS LINK – Dept 10:30 am – 11:35 am Transfer from Mount Gambier to Coonawarra via Shuttle |
| 11:00 am | Introduction and Regional Overview The visit begins with at historic Yallum Park, former residence of Coonawarra’s founding father John Riddoch. It stands as one of Australia’s most well-preserved historic homes, and features beautifully landscaped gardens including original heritage vines Mataro planted prior to the establishment of the Coonawarra Fruit colony in 1890. Here, delegates will be introduced to the region’s long history of viticulture and the factors that have shaped its signature styles. Property tour – and exclusive tasting of the FIRST EVER Mataro vintage released from these vines. |
| Lunch | Lunch - A selection of Coonawarra wines will be enjoyed over a light lunch at one of the producer estates surrounded by vineyards |
| 2:30 pm | Masterclass – Deeper than the Dirt - 130 years of Terra Rossa Terroir Famous for its Terra Rossa soils and world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra is celebrating 130 years since its first vintage in 1895 — a major milestone for our small but mighty South Australian wine region. With a population of just 135 people, the strength lies in community spirit, collaboration, innovation and a shared vision to keep Coonawarra wines relevant for future generations. There’s a reason why growing wine in Coonawarra is so distinctive. It’s a long way away from the ports and mainland cities, the perfect place to grow grapes. The story goes deeper than the dirt, though. Coonawarra is focused on science, viticultural advancements, adapting to climate change, and ensuring that Coonawarra wines remain as popular in 130 years as they are today. |
| 4:30 pm | Transfer to Accommodation. Check-in and down time before transfer to Dinner |
| 5:00 pm | Transfer to Dinner |
| 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm | 'Dinner with the Stars' – Bellwether Winery Gather beneath the vast southern sky, surrounded by ancient gum trees at the historic Glen Roy Shearing Shed home of Bellwether Wines – Sue Bell. Enjoy a relaxed evening featuring regional produce from the land 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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| 8:30 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. |
| 9:30 am | A Morning with Wynns Coonawarra - Vineyard Tour, Tasting and Technical Immersion: Explore the cutting-edge viticultural research shaping Coonawarra’s future through the lens of Wynns Coonawarra Estate, one of Australia’s most significant and enduring wine institutions. The morning begins in the vineyard, where delegates will gain a deeper understanding of Coonawarra’s unique terroir and cool maritime climate, and how the interaction between soil, limestone, climate and water availability influences vine balance, fruit expression and wine style. This is complemented by a technical immersion examining rootstock trials, clonal selection and genetic advancements, and their role in shaping contemporary grape growing and winemaking across the region. Following the vineyard visit, delegates will explore the Wynns Interpretive Centre at the historic Gables, gaining insight into the estate’s history, evolution and ongoing contribution to Coonawarra’s identity. The experience concludes with a guided tasting reflecting both the heritage and modern expression of Wynns wines and the broader Coonawarra terroir. Led by acclaimed Wynns winemaker Sue Hodder, alongside leading viticulturists Dr Cath Kidman and Ben Harris. |
| LUNCH | 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. Led by chef Paul Stone, Ottelia’s kitchen is widely recognised for its modern Australian approach, showcasing local Limestone Coast produce with refined simplicity and flavour-led creativity. |
| 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Masterclass – Beyond the Bold/ Contemporary Coonawarra - Often defined by its powerful reds, Coonawarra also reveals remarkable finesse, freshness and precision in youth. This masterclass reveals a broader and more nuanced regional story. Explore the freshness, vibrancy and precision evident across Coonawarra’s wine styles, including white wines, sparkling expressions and alternative varieties not traditionally associated with the region. This tasting offers a contemporary perspective on Coonawarra, highlighting diversity, innovation and the region’s expanding stylistic range beyond its classic benchmarks. Return to accommodation to refresh for the evening |
| 5:00 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. |
| 6:30 pm | Dinner at Brand's Laira – Coonawarra Icons Dinner Experience Coonawarra’s heritage and the art of cellaring during an Icons Dinner featuring aged wines from the region’s historic estates. This curated evening showcases the exceptional longevity and evolution of Coonawarra’s finest wines, offering delegates the opportunity to explore maturity, structure and tertiary complexity alongside contemporary expressions. Outstanding local produce will be thoughtfully paired to complement each wine, highlighting how Coonawarra’s graceful, long-lived styles integrate seamlessly with regional cuisine. Adding to the experience, Coonawarra’s own wine icons (Patrons) may be present, the likes of Doug Balnaves, Bruce Redman, Doug Bowen, Greg Clayfield and Sue Hodder — offering personal insight into the wines, the region and the people behind its enduring legacy. This immersive dining experience brings together provenance, craftsmanship and place — a celebration of Coonawarra’s icon wines and the people behind them. |
| 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 of Coonawarra, one of the region’s leading family estates and custodians of premium terra rossa vineyards. Enjoy locally roasted coffee and scrumptious breakfast alongside Balnaves’ signature Sparkling Cabernet — a distinctive wine made by only a very small group of producers nationwide — offering a fitting final expression of Coonawarra’s innovation, heritage and warm hospitality before departure. |
| 9:00 am | Depart Coonawarra – Transfer via bus to Mt Gambier airport for 1015 departure to ADL. Arrive in ADL -approx 1125 |
*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.
