Discover what makes Coonawarra one of Australia’s most distinctive wine regions, and the wines in the CW Wines portfolio that showcase it.
When you open a bottle of wine, it’s easy to focus on what’s in the glass. But every wine has a story that starts long before the bottle reaches the shelf.
At CW Wines, we source fruit from 10 different Australian wine regions, each with its own combination of soil, climate and growing conditions. One of those regions is Coonawarra, a small but highly regarded region in South Australia’s Limestone Coast.
Best known for its distinctive terra rossa soil and exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra has earned a reputation for producing wines with concentration, structure and longevity.
So, what makes this region so special?
The famous terra rossa
If there’s one feature that immediately comes to mind when you think of Coonawarra, it’s the soil.
The region is famous for its narrow strip of deep red terra rossa, which sits over a layer of ancient limestone. The name terra rossa literally means “red earth”, with the colour coming from iron oxide in the soil.
Beyond its striking appearance, this soil provides an ideal environment for growing grapes. It is well drained, while the limestone beneath helps retain water, supporting the vines through the growing season.
The terra rossa strip itself is relatively small, stretching for around 27 kilometres and only a few kilometres wide. This distinctive combination of soil and geology is one of the defining features of Coonawarra and a major part of its reputation.
A cool climate with time to ripen
The soil might get most of the attention, but Coonawarra’s climate is just as important.
Located in South Australia’s Limestone Coast and influenced by the Southern Ocean, Coonawarra experiences a cool, maritime climate. The region has a long growing season, allowing grapes to ripen gradually rather than all at once.
That slower ripening gives the fruit time to develop flavour and tannin while retaining natural acidity and freshness.
It’s particularly well suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, which has become synonymous with the region, but Coonawarra also produces excellent Shiraz, Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The result is a region capable of producing wines that combine ripe fruit with structure, freshness and fine tannins.
What does Coonawarra wine taste like?
There’s no single flavour that defines every Coonawarra wine, but the region’s Cabernet Sauvignon is often recognised for its dark berry and cassis characters, balanced by fresh acidity and firm but refined tannins.
Coonawarra Shiraz takes a different direction, often showing ripe berry fruit alongside spice and savoury characters, with the region’s cool climate helping maintain freshness and structure.
These characteristics also give Coonawarra wines excellent ageing potential, with the best examples developing additional complexity over time.
Coonawarra in the CW Wines portfolio
Coonawarra is home to two of the brands within the CW Wines portfolio: Reschke and Schoolhouse, and a small selection from our Stonehaven range.
Reschke
The Reschke family has been connected to Coonawarra for generations. The family first established a Hereford stud in the region in 1906, before fourth-generation family member Burke Reschke began developing vineyards on the property in 1989.
Today, Reschke is recognised for wines that showcase the character of Coonawarra, particularly its Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
Several Reschke wines have also received impressive reviews, including:
Reschke Vitulus Shiraz 2021 — 95 points
A structured expression of Coonawarra Shiraz, combining ripe fruit with depth, freshness and tannin.
Reschke Vitulus Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 — 94 points
A classic Coonawarra Cabernet, bringing together dark fruit, structure and the freshness that the region is known for.
Reschke Bull Trader Shiraz 2022 — 94 points
A fruit-driven Coonawarra Shiraz with spice and structure.
Schoolhouse
Schoolhouse is another CW Wines brand with strong Coonawarra roots.
The Schoolhouse vineyard sits on the site of the original Comaum School, which was established in 1888. Today, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz form the foundation of the Schoolhouse range, showcasing the varieties that Coonawarra does particularly well.
The Schoolhouse Shiraz 2020 was awarded 93 points, recognised for its bright berry fruit, freshness and velvety palate.
One region of ten
Coonawarra is just one part of the CW Wines sourcing story.
With fruit sourced from 10 distinct Australian wine regions, CW Wines has access to a broad range of soils, climates and growing conditions. Each region brings something different to the wines.
In Coonawarra, it’s the combination of ancient limestone, famous terra rossa soil and a cool, slow-ripening climate that creates the foundation for some of Australia's most recognised Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
So next time you pour a Coonawarra wine, take a moment to think about where it started.
Because the place matters.