ALTHOUGH winter is in full swing in the South East, vignerons are giving visitors plenty of ways to keep warm in Coonawarra.
Nestled in the heart of terra rossa country, Coonawarra is home to some of the world’s best Cabernet Sauvignon in addition to a selection of different varieties.
During the month on July, wineries across the region are participating in Cellar Dwellers with all the best back-vintage wines on offer at cellar doors.
Coonawarra Vignerons executive officer Olivia James said now is as good of a time as any to take in the scenery right on your doorstep.
“It might be cold outside, but there are plenty of ways to keep warm in Coonawarra,” she said.
“There is always loads to do throughout the year, but July is extra special because we bring the best back vintage wines out across the region.
“Everyone has something going on at their cellar door and there is definitely so much happening.”
Ms James highlighted the Southern Riesling Trail, the Coonawarra Passport and the Mount Gambier Coonawarra Wine Festival as some of the key events this month.
“So we have eight wineries travelling to Mount Gambier this weekend for the wine festival at Jen’s which is really exciting,” she said.
“There will be tastings, live music and food all afternoon.
“There is also the Southern Riesling Trail which includes The Blok, Leconfield, Patrick and Raidis and gives something a little different to the usual Cabernet varieties.
“This year we also have the ‘passport’ which is featured at the back of our Cellar Dweller pamphlets.
“The passport basically requires someone to attend at least five participating wineries, get them stamped off and then submit completed passport to a winery.
“The winner will receive a double pass to the national wine tasting roadshow next month and a mixed half dozen of our finest wines.”
Following on from Cellar Dwellers, August will see wineries visit Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth to showcase the region’s finest wines.
But before August kicks off, Ms James said there was plenty to see and do on her home turf.
“There is also the Hoggies Wines dinner at the end of the month which I think is almost sold out,” she said.
“And we have the Raidis banquet which is always popular, it really shows how much we have going on on in our backyard.
“We still have two weeks left to celebrate Cellar Dwellers and I think they are going to be big.”
