A month long celebration of cabernet

Coonawarra to be showcased in October festival of events

The Coonawarra wine region is gearing up for an event filled spring with the Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Wine Festival, returning at the end of the month.

A highlight on the Limestone Coast’s event calendar, the festival is designed to showcase and celebrate Coonawarra’s signature variety, Cabernet Sauvignon, and boasts a program of more than 70 events across five weeks, with other fantastic wines also to be tasted as part of festivities.

The program focuses attention on the sublime Cabernet wines being produced in the Coonawarra, emphasising the elegance, drinkability and aging ability of Coonawarra Cabernet’s, whilst also highlighting the evolution and versatility of the variety.

The month-long festival, hosted by the Coonawarra Vignerons, kicked off Friyda and runs through to the end of October, with special events and bespoke tastings experiences on offer at cellar doors and wineries across the region.

Coonawarra Vignerons events & marketing manager Heidi Guyett said there wiould be plenty of opportunities for wine aficionados, foodies and families alike to explore and experience Coonawarra, whilst enjoying the world-class wines, country hospitality and sense of community.

“This year’s program is as extensive as ever with over 70 food and wine experiences to be enjoyed,” she said. “Our member wineries have gone to great lengths to offer an exciting array of events. From family fun days to high end wine dinners, vertical tastings to blending workshops, winery tours, masterclasses, and long lunches, the region will offer visitors (and locals alike) the opportunity to experience and discover the best of Coonawarra.”

“Aside from tasting the exquisite wines of the region, festival goers will have the opportunity to dine and meet with winemakers and boutique winery owners, go behind the scenes in the winery and even sample wines that are yet to be officially released, all the while learning about the process and the passion that goes into Coonawarra’s famed wines.”

The Coonawarra Golf Day served as the opening event for the festival last Friday. Raidis Estate and Rymill Coonawarra also had opening weekend events.

The following weeks will see themes around blending wine and the marriage of Cabernet Sauvignon with other varieties, a weekend tribute to the original festival – which historically took place on one single weekend, along with an exclusive look at new release wines – ‘from barrel to glass’, wrapping up with a ‘showtime’ theme on the weekend of the local Penola show.

“Aside from tasting the exquisite wines of the region, festival goers will have the opportunity to dine and meet with winemakers and boutique winery owners, go behind the scenes in the winery and even sample wines that are yet to be officially released, all the while learning about the process and the passion that goes into Coonawarra’s famed wines” Mrs Guyett said.

“…learning about the process and the passion that goes into Coonawarra’s famed wines…” Heidi Guyett (Coonawarra Vignerons events and marketing manager)

One of the highlights in the 2023 festival program is ‘The Family Feast’, a progressive luncheon which will see guests wining and dining at not one, but three iconic Coonawarra family properties.

“… family fun days to high end wine dinners, vertical tastings to blending workshops, winery tours, masterclasses, and long lunches…” Heidi Guyett (Coonawarra Vignerons events and marketing manager)

Guest will enjoy a delectable three course feast, all the while moving from the Redman Family winery to the DiGiorgio Family vineyards and finishing at Zema Estate for dessert.

Another of the feature events in the calendar is the Combined Wineries Cabernet Decade[nce] Tasting, which has long been a highlight in the festival program. The collective showcase, hosted by the Coonawarra Vignerons Association, brings together 15 producers and winemakers in one location to taste and compare wines 10 years and older alongside current release Cabernets.

“Not all of Coonawarra’s producers have cellar doors, so this is a great opportunity for them to be involved in the festival, and for guests to taste their wines and meet the faces behind them.”

Mrs Guyett said. “This year’s showcase will be hosted at Brand’s Laira Cellar Door on Friday 13th October, followed by a decadent dinner at the nearby Ottelia Restaurant.”

The International Cabernet Masterclass also returns as a feature event in the October program and is already proving to be a highly sought after event. Hosted by the Coonawarra Vignerons, the Masterclass will present a premium selection of Coonawarra wines alongside four International Cabernets from regions such as Bordeaux, Napa Valley and the Toscana.

Leading the season will be an esteemed panel, comprising of acclaimed winemakers Sue Hodder of Wynns Coonawarra Estate and fifth-generation winemaker Andrew ‘Ox’ Hardy, along with Master of Wine Andrew Caillard MW, author of the soonto-be-released three-volume book ‘The Australian Ark – The story of Australian Wine 1788 to the Modern Era,. “This tasting will explore the history of Australian cabernet since the earliest days of colonial settlement and the progress of regional cabernet styles into current times,” Ms Hodder said.

“12 wines that epitomise varietal and regional identity will be featured and I look forward to presenting outstanding examples of the variety from around the world, whilst also focusing on the elegance, identity and diversity of Coonawarra Cabernet.”

For those venturing to the region, navigating your way around Coonawarra is a breeze with the region’s cellar doors all scattered along one stretch of road, and a shuttle bus hop-on hop- off service is available each weekend of October to transport festivalgoers to and from events. Tickets for the service can be booked online, and prospective passengers are encouraged to secure their seat in advance. The festival is made possible by the South Australian Tourism Commission through Events South Australia with funding made available through the Regional Events and Festival Program.

For more information and to view the program of events, visit www.coonawarra.org