Wrattonbully Wine

Wrattonbully is a wine region within the Limestone Coast zone of South Australia and is located between Coonawarra and Padthaway with the state of Victoria lining its eastern border. Like most of its neighbors, the region was planted with vines in the latter half of the 19th century but the real expansion took place during the last decade of the 20th century, 1994 to 1999 mainly, when large wine companies heralded a boom in grapevine plantings in response to an increasing demand in general and in a quest to add to the quality and variety of their wines. The smaller producers mainly supplied their fruits to these big players but the recent times have seen an increase in the boutique wineries with their own labels promoted through the winery cellar doors. It was one of the last regions to acquire the GI (Geographical Indication) status in the Limestone Coast in 2005.

It is not hard to imagine why many of the top names in the Australian wine industry scrambled for a piece of the region as it offers all the ingredients for successful wine production. First of all, the soil is an extension of the renowned terra rosa from Coonawarra in the south which provides body and structure to the wines. Secondly, the vineyards are strategically located on gentle slopes on altitudes ranging from 246 ft (75 m) to 295 ft (90 m) which makes the overall maritime climate an intermediate one between those of Coonawarra and Padthaway. On a broad range, the conditions are still characterized by the mild conditions due to the ocean's effect and the cool air flowing down from these heights extending the growing season thereby adding to the complexity of the wines.

Red wines are the mainstay of Wrattonbully with Cabernet Sauvignon as the lead grape variety producing wines with soft and complex tannin structures and plenty of ripe berry flavors with hints of mineral. Shiraz and Merlot are the other prominent red grapes. Chardonnay is the main white grape variety here which produces wines with good acidity and a balanced flavor profile.