Coonawarra (Limestone Coast)

Coonawarra, Limestone coast, 2 day / 1 night tour - Depart Adelaide at approximately 8am you travel through serene pastoral land, in a chauffeur driven vehicle, with an experienced wine guide, to the heart of premium red wine production in Coonawarra.

We may visit Padthaway Estate and taste a selection of local wines and tour the property. Padthaway is recognised for the quality Chardonnay and the exceptional character of the varieties produced. Later we travel into Naracoorte and explore the mysteries of the Naracoorte Caves and Bool Lagoon recognised by the United Nations as Wetlands of International importance. Wool products abound. Lunch will be alfresco or at the outstanding Hollicks winery and restaurant.

After lunch an optional may be to stroll down Petticoat Lane in Penola. Penola is the oldest town in the South East and honoured as the workplace of Mary McKillop who is soon to be declared a Saint.

Alternatively we may resume visiting some of the fine wine producers of the Coonawarra wine region. Distinguished wine producers we may visit include, Wynns Coonawarra Estate, the oldest and perhaps the most technologically advanced. We visit Balnaves of Coonawarra and meet some of the Balnaves family maker of premium wines. Another notable wineries we may visit are the small Italian family run, Zema Estate winery; famous for their full flavoured wines and Mrs Zemas preserves. 

That evening accommodation may vary from  the elegant Padthaway Estate Homestead in the heart of the wine country, the new stylish Must apartments or charming cottage style at Georgies, we may dine in-house or at the acclaimed Pipers restaurant. Another alternative would be to stay in the charming seaside village of Robe.

Next morning we may meet Brian Lynn a lecturer of Viticulture at the local college who also has his own winery called Majella Estate. He has won many prestigious awards for his wines; he will give us a brief tour of his vineyards, an introduction to the area and the opportunity to sample his wines.

If time permits we may meet other local wine producers such as Penley Estate, Rymill Estate, Leconfield and Bowen Estate, tasting their fine wines we can return via the coast. We may visit the newest classified wine region, Mount Benson and  travel past the  wetlands of the Coorong, along the coast with a seafood lunch before returning to Adelaide.

** This tour can include Great Ocean Road to Melbourne.

Images courtesy of South Australian Tourism Commission & Tourism Australia

Images credit:

Zema Estate -  Photographer: Astyn Reid/Kinship Productions. 

Umpherstone Sinkhole - Photographer: Offroad Images Michael Ellem

Umpherstone Sinkhole - Photographer: Mike Haines

Wynns Coonawarra Estate - Photographer: Ewen Bell

The Tasting Room at Mayura Station - Photographer: Ewen Bell

Cellar Door Cape Jaffa Wines - Photographer: Adam Bruzzone

Brand's Laira Coonawarra - Photographer: Adam Bruzzone

Naracoorte Caves National Park - Photographer: Adam Bruzzone

The Barn - Photographer: The Barn