10 Free Things to do in Coonawarra Wine Region That You Shouldn't Miss

Boutique winery, tastings, campground, glamping in Bell tents, intimate degustation dining experiences, produce garden. A beautiful historic stone shearing shed built in 1868, lovingly restored over 10 years, full of artwork, not to be missed.

John and Faye Parker established Parker Coonawarra Estate in 1985 after a career-long interest in the region. Today, the privately-owned Parker Coonawarra Estate is committed to upholding John Parker’s standards of excellence, and producing the most faithful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from the celebrated Terra Rossa soils of the Coonawarra growing region. In 2001, the purpose-built maturation facility and cellar door building was completed. Made strikingly from Mt Gambier limestone and steel girders, the temperature-controlled facility stands tall amongst the Abbey vineyard and reflects John Parker’s uncompromising approach to grape growing and winemaking. Parker Coonawarra Estate is situated in the south of the Coonawarra region, in the centre of South Australia's Limestone Coast. We welcome you to visit Parker Coonawarra Estate, to sit and savour our regional flavours, and to enjoy our beautiful vineyard and winery setting.

Conveniently located on the famous Riddoch Highway our Coonawarra cellar door is nestled among the vineyards. The cellar door features a stunning outdoor space and large share tables for guests to enjoy our wine tasting or wines by the glass in a relaxed and modern environment. All of our wines are grown and made from our 80 hectare vineyard, which is across the famed Coonawarra Terra Rossa Soil. A tasting through our range is a journey across the estate which each wine capturing something of the essence of Whistle Post and the journey from 'grower to glass'. ​Whistle Post Estate is available for Wedding and private event hire, and either the Cellar Door or the Barrel Hall and Event Space.

Zema Estate is a true Coonawarra wine company, forged in Australia but based on the undeniable passions and traditions of its Italian heritage. Over four decades it has developed a reputation for producing premium quality Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, with a consistency that defies vintage and seasonal fluctuations. It has achieved this through attention to detail – hand pruning, careful fruit selection, meticulous viticulture, passionate winemaking, diligent bottle ageing and a deep respect for the place and provenance of Coonawarra. Zema is proudly independent, deriving its meaning and inspiration from the sense of trust, security and dependability that comes from family and the feeling that everything it does has been influenced by a rich legacy of stories and culture.

Good range of brochures, information,gifts and souvenirs. Also inside the building is the John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Gallery and Local History Museum.

WINNER - Best Tasting Experience in Coonawarra Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine - Cellar Door Awards 2019. WINNER - Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2019. The renovated historic limestone Cellar Door is open daily for wine tasting and sales week. Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturday & Sunday from Noon – 5pm. Don't miss the terra rossa soil pit at the entrance to Cellar, explaining the soil of Coonawarra. Also features a fire in winter, lounge, picnic area, cheese platters, tea and coffee. Katnook is one of the best known wineries in Australia's finest red wine district, Coonawarra. Since 1979, Katnook has crafted the acclaimed Katnook Estate wines, iconic Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon and Prodigy Shiraz and the fruit forward Katnook Founder’s Block range. Katnook has twice won Australia's most prestigious wine trophy, the Jimmy Watson - and has two wines listed in the Langton's Classification of Australian wine.

Rymill Coonawarra is a five-star Wine Companion winery and described as a ‘must visit’ by regarded wine critic James Halliday. The cellar door offers unique and unrivalled views of winemaking and viticulture with our multi-level observation decks. Rymill Coonawarra was established in 1974 by Peter Rymill, the great-grandson of the founder of Coonawarra, John Riddoch. Our estate vineyards sit on an ancient coastline, about one million years old, the limestone of which is covered in a precious layer of terra rossa soil. The combination of Coonawarra’s unique soil and long cool ripening season is perfect for grape growing, and the region is internationally renowned for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. The stunning winery was built in 1992 amongst the Estate Vineyards and is a striking image to all visitors at the end of the kilometre-long London Plane Tree drive.

The second oldest winery in the heart of Coonawarra previously known as Rouge Homme is home to DiGiorgio Family Wines. Traditional Coonawarra varietals from the famed Terra Rossa soils are crafted alongside alternative varietals sourced from other Limestone Coast regions where their winemakers believe the terroir is best suited. When visiting the Cellar Door you will have the opportunity to sample wines from our extensive portfolio, along with regional produce. Enjoy the newly landscaped garden and lawn area while enjoying a customised “Pick your own Produce Platter” with a glass of wine. The kids can amuse themselves with a range of activities or even do a “Kids Tasting” before enjoying their very own “Snack Pack”. See for yourself the famous Terra Rossa soil in our soil pit, marvel at the gnarly 100 year old vines, walk among our cork tree “forest” and learn how wine corks are made. Also on offer are bespoke, bookable experiences, visit our website for more details.