Well known for its private functions and wedding affairs, Katnook Estate offers a friendly wine…read moretasting to the cellar door. At the entrance of the cellar door, look out for a deep pit which shows visitors the famous terra rosa soil profile. Information from the website shows that approximately 90,000 cases are made annually under the Katnook Estate (20 000 cases), Katnook Founder's Block (40 000 cases), Riddoch (10 000 cases) and export labels. Katnook Odyssey Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and Prodigy Shiraz are both iconic wines under Katnook Estate's labels. Expect a premium drop when you pick up a bottle of Katnook Estate.

Fourth and final winery of the day because let's face it, any more than four or five and your no…read morelonger tasting, you're just drinking!! Combine this with the tough drink driving laws in Australia and it's not worth overdoing it (note: it NEVER is, regardless of local laws!!) Katnook was my absolute favorite stop of the day! In the parking lot there is a fenced of section of ground that has been excavated away to show the various geological layers of the region, giving visitors a good indication of why the Coonawarra region is so special (hint: it's the soil). Upon entering the rating room you are invited to take a seat at the bar and the server is happy to walk you through as many or as few of their available tasting bottles as you like!! This is the only winery we tasted that had various vintages and estate wines available to taste and we did vertical tastings of one or two wines as well as tasting of the same grape at various estates which really demonstrated how different the same grape can be depending upon growing conditions. Most surprisingly, your also welcome to taste their two premiere wines, Prodigy and Odyssey, a Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon respectively that retail for $100 and are Langton V classified as excellent and outstanding again respectively. Very happy with our experience at Katnook! Don't miss this one if your tasting in the area!!

Third stop of the day and this winery like others was pretty quiet... Guessing Wednesday is not a…read morebusy tasting day here in Coonawarra which I guess makes a lot of sense since the area is 4+ hours from either Melbourne or Adelaide!! Zema was another friendly winery with a nice and relaxed atmosphere and a good number of wines available for tasting. Again, little to no tasting notes or history provided for any of the wines (starting to think this may be an Aussie thing) and tasting servings were tiny, barely a splash but we were invited to revisit anything we had a particular liking for. In the end, we bought a bottle of the Family Estate Shiraz which was bold in flavor and quite peppery and I'm very much looking forward to drinking a glass in the hotel in my pajamas later this afternoon!!

We love Zema Estate. We've been visiting here for years. The reds are extraordinary. It's a no…read morefrills place that weirdly never seems that popular. There's never much hype about the place despite the very serious quality of the wines which are reasonably priced. Perhaps it's because the family are usually a little brusque in my experience. There's not much ceremony or affability here. You just go in, taste their wonderful wines, don't engage in much small talk essentially due to indifference, purchase then leave. But as an old time customer, you'll thank the almighty when you pull the bottles out again as the wine is delectable. There's an honesty about the whole thing and it's more efficient than other cellar door visits. Long live Zema Estate. We love 'em.

First stop on our whirlwind Coonawarra tour on our way between Melbourne and Adelaide and I realize…read moreI've been completely spoiled by American wineries (specifically the Napa, Sonoma and Paso Robles regions!!) as I was expecting to get specific tasting notes and flavors from the server and all I got was 'what do you want to taste' and 'there you go'. Don't get et me wrong, the service was friendly, attentive and welcoming but there was no information given about the wine which I always found a little overwhelming and pretentious (especially in Napa) but which I'm now finding I really miss since I'm not getting it... Go figure?!?! Anyway tasting notes are at the counter if you are that way inclined so you don't miss out completely! And wine tastings are complimentary in the region which is a refreshing change although I'm completely programmed to by a bottle regardless these days... Wynn was a great start to our wine tasting afternoon, the service was friendly and welcoming, the wines, although nothing surprising are good examples of Coonawarra Reds, there are two wines on the tasting list that are available only through the cellar door and there is a considerable discount on the RRP if purchasing through the winery or if joining the wine club... Make sure you by if your in the region, you won't be disappointed!

You'll find one of the prettiest and stylish homeware store here right smack in Koonara…read more With candles, vases, bowls, aprons and trinkets alike to accompany your wine tasting adventure, you can help but feel so at home in this delightful cellar door. Their best features apart from the wines are bike hire. Rent a bike here and tour the rest of the wineries along Coonawarra at your ease, as you take in the breathtaking views. The winery also hosts a Koonara Cottage Bed & Breakfast, a beautiful cottage overlooking the paddock and stunning Coonawarra landscape.

Situated right in the centre of the main street, Koonara is a fab spot to start tasting before…read moreheading through to the Coonawarra. The space feels a little awkward because it does double as a homewares store, however the staff here are passionate, super friendly, and knowledgeable so the awkwardness fades quickly. The wines are primarily named after either angels or the owner's daughters which is pretty sweet. The wines themselves are tasty, with some fantastic Coonawarra reds in the mix, and a few whites if you're that way inclined. Overall it's worth popping your head into if you're in Penola's main street... even if you're not up for a full day of tasting... why not pop in for a cheeky sample or two?

One of the modern cellar door features you'll find in Coonawarra and the only restaurant you'll…read morefind in a Limecoast winery. You can taste a wide range of Hollick wines here plus the Frizzante and Pinot Noir which are only available at the cellar door. The restaurant aptly named 'Upstairs at the Hollicks' lends a panoramic view of Hollick "Neilson's Block" vineyard and stunning Coonawarra landscape. Diners can only catch the winemaker in action in the barrel store as they enjoy their meal. This year the Hollick picked up an award for the Best Restaurant in a Winery at the 2011 Restaurant & Catering Awards! A must visit when you are touring the vineyards in this Limecoast region. Check out their Vineyard, Winery and Lunch tour on their website.

Excellent food and great reds to be had here. Showcassing the best of Coonawarra wines, pair your…read morereds or riesling with a delightful array of tapas or the lamb dish or my favourite Stuffed Roast Chicken breast with bacon, vintage cheddar, raspberries and sweet orange brandy sauce! Too good I tell ya! They have an excellent menu here, with fresh produce thrown in and with the best meat in town. The prices are affordable and parents take note, kids under 5 eat for free! Expect to see some Coonawarra beauties here from the numerous labels like Patrick 2010 Wrattonbully Riesling, 2008 Majella Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Leconfield Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and more! A perfect place to pick up lunch or dinner when you're staying at a nearby B & B before you head out on the Coonawarra great wine adventure!

You probably need 2-3 days to enjoy the bevy of cellar doors in Coonawarra plus take in the…read moredelights and sights of this amazing Limestone region. Grab your friends or bring your interstate friends and hire a bus, and discover the thrill of Coonawarra and the region's best loved reds. A family run winery using only estate grown vines, they produce the flagship Patrick of Coonawarra range, Estate range and Mother of Pearl range which carries a unique and maritime influence. Beautiful and exquisite drop- a must visit!!

I'm a wine geek - a buff, a connosieur if you will allow me to toot my own horn a little. Patrick…read more(used to be called Patrick T) is a stand-out boutique winery in Penola. If you're a fan of Australian style red wine this is unmissable, although they have a range which could easily be considered must-try for just about any palette. My friends love the Mother of Pearl range which appeals to their bargain hunting insticts, however I'm dedicated to the Patrick of Coonawarra label. Every Cab Sauv I've tried on this label has blown my socks off. The tastings are conducted around a semi-circular bar which was just magic for our group of 10 last time, as it created an intimacy and communal experience you just don't acheive in a conventional line. You may overlook this one in favour of the famous names in this region, but if it's about the wine this will definately make it into the itinerary!

Leconfield has two cellar doors, one in McLaren Vale and the other in Coonawarra…read more Boasting a perfect limestone winery building with a barrel storage of 2000. They offer an intimate and educational wine tasting tour as you take in the view of winemakers at work and other winemaking activities. They certainly make a good drop here with intense berry fruit and top it with the famous Coonawarra silky, textured finish. Go for the Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Riesling!