Words by Katie Spain
It doesn’t get much better than staring up at the winter night sky while pondering the constellations in a wine region unspoilt by city lights. Especially with a glass of premium Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot in hand and a bowl of homemade soup waiting to be devoured in the Zema Estate barrel hall.
Constellations and Cluny is just one of many event highlights during the annual month-long Cellar Dwellers in Coonawarra throughout July.
“There is something deeply special about standing under the Coonawarra night sky, glass of red in hand, with the Milky Way stretching above the vineyards,” says local night sky enthusiast and photographer Ockert Le Roux who will lead the casual stargazing session on 3 July.
“It is a beautiful reminder that wine, soil and starlight are all part of the same ancient story.”
Winemaker Nick Zema will also be there to share his family’s Italian heritage in Coonawarra since 1952. Cellar Dwellers celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year with an exciting line-up of free and ticketed events. Wine is, of course, the major drawcard with a focus on how Coonawarra wines evolve over time and why the region is internationally renowned for producing wines that reward careful cellaring.
Coonawarra wineries put a great deal of effort into dusting off rare cellar treasures for the kind of tastings wine lovers usually dream about. “What makes Cellar Dwellers so appealing is the diversity, it’s not just about one variety or one winery. You’ll experience the collective story of Coonawarra’s winemaking talent and the remarkable ageing potential of our wines, be it Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Riesling or Chardonnay, just to name a few. Plus, the warmth and hospitality of the region shine through in every conversation and every pour, says Heidi Guyett from Coonawarra Vignerons. A highlight of the program is the annual Cellar Dwellers Back Vintage Tasting, showcasing museum wines from up a dozen Coonawarra producers at Parker Estate on 17 July.
The Three Stooges Dinner will be a hoot thanks to a spotlight on bold reds and a three-course winter feast with banter from the big characters at Patrick of Coonawarra, Redman Wines, and Raidis Estate (11 July). One moment you could be making and eating pasta with the DiGiorgio Family Wines family (2 July), the next filling your glass with a specially selected museum magnum at Katnook Estate (3 July), or drinking mulled wine by fire pits (weekends at Rymill).
“Many of the events in the program have an emphasis of intimacy,” Heidi says. “You get to sit with the winemakers and enjoy the offering and our warm country hospitality. If someone is pouring your wine, it’s very likely the person who made it.”
The celebrations are not just for adults. All month, Woof’s Winter Walk and Wine leads families along the Coonawarra Walking Trail (spot Woof the vineyard dog hidden somewhere along the rich Terra Rossa track). Participating cellar doors including Zema Estate, Brand’s Laira, DiGiorgio Family Wines, Ottelia, Redman Wines, and Wynns Coonawarra Estate offer special tastings along the way and there’s a passport provided on which to document your wine palate prowess.
There’s also a chance to jump on the brandy bandwagon. What was once known as a ‘Nanna’s’ drink is having a resurgence thanks to a wave of Australian producers driving the distilled spirit resurgence. Coonawarra’s Majella Wines is one of them. “We have two great events at Majella,” says Majella co-director Brian ‘Prof’ Lynn.
“One where we’ll be discussing brandy – how it’s made, how it ages in different barrels and obviously how it tastes. It will be a lot of fun. That’s on Friday 17 July.” Majella will also host a guided tour through “three fantastic vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon” on 18 and 19 July. Famed for their red wines, Majella also operate Coonawarra’s first commercial still since the 1950s.
Prof recently made the decision to add gin and brandy production to the much-loved brand’s arsenal of wonderful Coonawarra wines. “At the end of the day, wine is there to be enjoyed,” Prof says. “That’s what life should be about.” He’s right. There really is no better time to visit. Make a weekend (or a month) of it.
Coonawarra Cellar Dwellers
When: July 1st to 31st
Where: Coonawarra Wine Region
For more information, click here.
