Celebrating vintage

The 2024 Coonawarra Vintage was declared open in smashing fashion on March 6 with a crowd of more than 60 people gathering at the iconic Coonawarra Siding to herald in the new season.

The Vintage Launch Ceremony saw Coonawarra and district community members, wine industry stakeholders and dignitaries come together to acknowledge and celebrate this significant time in the region.

A Welcome to Country acknowledgement was followed by the echo of bagpipes, a nod to Coonawarra’s Scottish founding father John Riddoch, performed by Coonawarra Vignerons patron Doug Balnaves and supported by Neil McLean.

Coonawarra Vignerons executive officer Hugh Koch led the ceremony and emphasised the importance of vintage, not only to the Coonawarra community, but for the national economy.

“Vintage in Coonawarra is more than when a wine’s grapes are harvested. It heralds the anniversary of a new year in Coonawarra, where we reflect and say goodbye to the previous season,” Mr Koch said.

“As a community it is the commencement of the economic driver that sustains our economy, creates our jobs, gives us our services, drives our visitation, and continues to put us on the map as one of the most pre-eminent wine regions of the world.

“A new vintage also allows us to reflect on our past years, the people that have laboured and led the development of Coonawarra.”

Taking centre stage at the launch were Coonawarra Vignerons patron Wendy Hollick was Wattle Range Council CEO Ben Gower, Balnaves of Coonawarra winemaker Jacinta Jenkins, and Belgian visitor Lynn Hamerlinck, who kicked off their shoes to take park in a traditional grape stomp on the Coonawarra Siding platform.

Patrons Greg Clayfield and Doug Bowen marked the occasion by smashing a bottle of the previous year’s vintage Coonawarra wine to symbolise the conclusion of the 2023 season, and to christen the new vintage.

“Traditionally a wine bottle is broken over a ship’s hull before its maiden voyage and to wish it good luck for a successful journey,” Koch said.

“It is only appropriate that we adapt that tradition by creating one of our own, to symbolise the christening of the 2024 vintage (V24) and to wish our producers well, in that the conditions and circumstances be the very best to allow Coonawarra “smooth sailing” in harvesting and crafting the most premium wines possible.”.

The ceremony provided the perfect opportunity to give an overview of the V24 with conditions resembling that of a traditional vintage.

Much of the region’s whites have been harvested with wineries across the region springing in to action this past fortnight to harvest Coonawarra Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris and also Pinot Noir – destined for sparkling whites.

“Yield is expected to be moderate but pending the next few weeks, quality for red grapes is looking to be excellent,” Mr Koch said. “Current conditions will allow Cabernet to be picked late March.”

The Vintage Launch Ceremony was followed by a ‘sparkling’ morning tea with community members raising a glass to V24 and pass on well their wishes for the season.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTY RADFORD (WITH LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY)