The Limestone Coast’s best

Are you celebration-ready? Limestone Coast vignerons have uncorked a stellar list of 51 top Christmas drops designed to guide hosts and guests this Christmas season, inspired by this year’s history-making Limestone Coast Wine Show.

Yalumba’s 2021 Sanctum Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon outclassed 423 other entries to claim back-to-back wins during the prestigious October show, with Chief of Judges Philip Rich praising its perfect blend of “classic old-school Coonawarra with modern viticulture and winemaking”. And the biggest news? It retails for under $30 a bottle!

The Limestone Coast Wine Show committee’s Sarah Pidgeon said the Sanctum joins a cellar full of other great-value gold medal winners worth trying this festive season, with the list considered the ultimate tasting guide for the exciting weeks ahead.

“The Limestone Coast is clearly punching above its dollar value in terms of quality and our unique landscape also offers real variety in terms of wine styles,” she said. “Whether you’re looking for some Christmas morning spritz, a top drop to gift, something a little edgy for your wine nerd friends or something special to pair with the roast or seafood spread, the region certainly has you covered.”

The Top 51 List includes ‘Festive Sparkling’ suggestions like the dual trophy-winning Grey-Smith Coonawarra Blanc de Blancs ($35), or, for ‘Something Sweet’, the trophy-winning Leconfield Wines 2021 Noble Riesling ($36). Reschke’s trophy-winning 2024 R-Series Rose Limestone Coast is a ‘Ripper Rose’ selling for just $20, while consumers are certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to ‘Fresh Aromatic Whites’, with Patrick of Coonawarra’s trophy-winning 2024 Two Blocks Riesling the top go-to at $25 a bottle. Majella Wines 2024 Coonawarra Riesling is also a strong crowd favourite, coming in at just $19 a bottle.

The Padthaway region is the home of outstanding ‘Textural Chardonnay’, with Landaire and Browns of Padthaway tipped as the trophy-winning labels to track down. The salty coastline is carving out a strong representation for ‘Different Reds’ like Carmenere and Dolcetto, with the multi-award-winning Wangolina leading the way. Pinot noir from Woodsoak Wines and Karatta Wines is also extremely popular.

For special gifts on a generous budget, Pepper Tree’s Block 21A Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Wrattonbully 2013 ($140) or a bottle of Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2019 ($150) is among the ‘World Class Cabernet’ considered well worth the investment. Coonawarra’s oldest winery is also selling 2023 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz for just $18 a bottle; another wonderful trophy winner to toast the year’s end.

The Limestone Coast Wine Show is proud to present 51 amazing gold medal and trophy winning wines from this year’s Limestone Coast Wine Show. Judged by experts from around the globe, and ready for your Christmas shopping list. Seek these out in bottle shops and cellar doors around the Limestone Coast this summer.

A gold medal award in any category is a mark of absolute excellence in the style. 17 of these wines then went through extra rigorous judging to be named the very best in their class and have been awarded trophies.