Coonawarra wineries and cellar doors

Welcome to Australia's other "red centre".

What's red-soiled, famed for cabernet, and a tiny wine powerhouse? You guessed it; it's the Coonawarra—one of Australia’s most celebrated winegrowing regions, located in the southeastern corner of South Australia.

Imagine intimate tastings, a colourful calendar of events and festivals throughout the year and conversations with some of the most passionate wine lovers you'll ever meet (even the vines have great stories to tell!). With over 25 cellar doors spread across a compact 20 kilometres of terra rosa soil, the Coonawarra punches above its weight in the wine world. The region sits conveniently midway between Adelaide and Melbourne, making it a perfect pitstop on the Southern Ocean Drive road trip.  

Whether you're tasting the region's wines by day or becoming a winemaker for an hour at Wynns, here's our guide to the best wineries and cellar doors the region has to offer. 

Bellwether Wines

Drive into the famous Coonawarra wine region and you’ll immediately be greeted by an unyielding stone building, surrounded by ancient redgums. Once the 1968 Glen Roy Shearing Shed, this historic structure is now the restored home of Bellwether Wines. Dubbed "Coonawarra's star cellar door" by Gourmet Traveller Wine, Bellwether Wines is a one-stop shop with a boutique winery, community kitchen, produce garden and campground (yes, you can even sleep under the stars in a glamorous bell-tent!). 
 
When you arrive, you’ll likely be greeted at your car door by Mabel. Say G’day to this cheeky maremma before sliding open the old wooden door of their tasting room, where you can sip on their sustainable varieties. You'll also likely run into winemaker Sue Hill, whose passion for Country is evident in every wine she creates, the food she makes, even down to the planning of events and experiences on-site. Writer's tip: Food is important to Bellwether Wines, so they kindly ask that you order three days before your arrival, so they can plan their harvest and minimise waste.  

Ottelia 

Named after Ottelia Ovalifolia—a waterlily blooming with white and purple flowers scattered across the property—Ottelia winery shows a deep connection to the Limestone Coast’s natural beauty.  
 
Among the property’s tall red gums and natural wetlands, sits a freshly renovated restaurant with a brand-new tasting room next door. Here, the Innes family—John and Melissa, who moved to the Coonawarra over 30 years ago, now joined by the next generation—craft wines reflective of the region. Among these is the cabernet sauvignon; Coonawarra’s famous varietal known for its silky tannins and classic flavours of dark red berries, blackcurrants, mint and violets. Pair it with Ottelia’s dishes designed for sharing (using seasonal produce from the restaurant garden and local suppliers) like the masala and yoghurt lamb shoulder with pickled beans and fennel. Writer's tip: Why not walk and talk? Start the Coonawarra Wineries Walking Trail at Ottelia, linking six of the region's wineries by foot. The achievable 5km walk is a fun way to experience the region and its wines while hitting your 10,000 steps! 

DiGiorgio Family Wines

Family-friendly cellar door DiGiorgio Family Wines is just a 3 minute walk from Ottelia, making it the perfect pit-stop on your winery tour. Stefano DiGiorgio (the founding father of the winery) immigrated to Australia from Italy in the 1950s, bringing with him a love of farming, fresh produce and cooking – as well as exceptional wines. It’s no surprise then that the winery offers a pasta-making class—where better to roll up your sleeves and learn the art, than at a winery run by Italians? It’s in their DNA! As you knead, roll, cut and cook, you will hear stories from the DiGiorgio family about their origins and migration to winemaking in the Coonawarra (followed by a delicious sit-down lunch with the crew). Wine tastings, platters, tours of the property (if you want a peek behind the curtains), and plenty of space for the kids to play on the lawns are also available. After a few glasses, you might even challenge them to a game of totem tennis. 

Wynns Coonawarra Estate

Wynns’ ‘Black Label’ Cabernet Sauvignon is one of Australia’s greatest wines! As the region’s oldest and largest winery, it sets the benchmark for Coonawarra classics. Drive up to the famous triple-gabled winery—completed in 1896 by Coonawarra pioneer John Riddoch—and you'll notice the terra rossa soil vineyards, some of which are over 100 years old. These vineyards produce world-class wines now crafted by two formidable women: Sue Hodder and Sarah Pidgeon. It's one of the longest-running partnerships in Australian wine and has been a key part of the winery's ongoing success in the region and around the world.

Ever dreamt of becoming a winemaker? Wynns Coonawarra Estate offers several interactive experiences, including a ‘blend your own wine’ class—the only wine blending experience in the region where you get to take home a personalised bottle. There are also wines by the glass, cheese platters and an extensive offering of vintage wines and magnums for sale. Writer's tip: The Coonawarra Railway Siding, arguably one of the most recognisable landmarks in the wine world, is just a 3 minute walk away. It's practically a rite of passage to detour for the photo-op. 

Zema Estate 

As you continue to snake your way around the Coonawarra Wineries Walking Trail, you’ll find Zema Estate—a 40-year-old family-owned winery that is an undeniable nod to Italian heritage. In true Calabrian style, Zema Estate hosts many events, from gala dinners and rare tastings to roadshows and festivals, all about bringing people together (don't be surprised if you feel like dancing the tarantella after a few glasses of their best wine). 
 
In the autumn of 1982, Demetrio and Francesca Zema with sons Matt and Nick, made their first Coonawarra shiraz in a tin shed, using a second-hand milk tanker as a fermenter. Now, their wines are known around Australia for their rich flavour and great quality.  

Parker Estate

With just one wine, John Parker caught the world’s attention and put Parker Estate and his Abbey Vineyard on the global wine map. His cabernet, which rivalled Bordeaux, won several awards - including the Penfold Hyland Trophy. It was also judged the sixth highest rated Bordeaux-style in the 1991 International Wine Challenge in London. 
 
Today, Parker Estate pours more than just great cabernet. It’s also renowned for its outstanding craft beer and gin tastings, featuring three artisanal varieties. Enjoy them outside in summer on the sprawling lawns that wrap around the cellar door, or in the intimate tasting room with floor-to-ceiling windows that lead out to the lawns and vines beyond (with a wood fire to cosy up to in winter). Writers tip: The newly renovated multi-use space is a popular place to host large events including weddings, birthdays, corporate events, dinners and masterclasses. 

Raidis Estate 

Just a 5 minute drive from Parker Estate, set among fruit trees, grape vines, and grazing goats, you’ll find Raidis Estate. The family-friendly winery creates drops designed to be ‘shared with good food and great friends.’ Imagine sitting around a large table in the garden, loaded with backyard produce, a bottle or two of good wine and plenty of space for kids to play.  

Cuvée-Co Wines

Fancy sipping on Australian sparkling wines inside Penola’s Old Post Office (POPO)? Take a break from the region’s classic reds and dive into some seriously delicious bubbly. Against the backdrop of a unique retail space (filled with blooms, homewares and historic charm) Cuvée-Co Wines serves up magic using grapes from the cool climate of Mount Gambier. Writers tip: Try the 2021 Kennth Vintage Brut which won a bronze medal in the 2023 Cool Climate Wine show.  

LINGER LONGER IN THE LIMESTONE COAST...

In the Limestone Coast for a while? Make the most of the region that’s home to some of South Australia’s most spectacular natural wonders with this Limestone Coast itinerary—showing you the best places to stay, spots to eat and things to do.