The Coonawarra region is arguably Australia's pre-eminent red wine grape growing region, consistently producing award winning wines as well as being recognised as a centre of excellence in premium wine grape production.

Coonawarra's unique soils consistently produce Australia's best quality red wines. Coonawarra is located at 37 Degrees 18'S 40 Degrees 49'E at an average elevation of 60 metres. It is a relatively isolated region approximately half way between the cities of Melbourne and Adelaide.

Climate
The Coonawarra region is close to the coast, located 60 kilometres from the Southern Ocean and, like all great wine grape growing areas, the climate is cool to moderate. When comparisons of climatic statistics are viewed, the Coonawarra climate can be said to resemble that of Bordeaux, but it is the extensive cloud cover that moderates the most important ripening period temperatures, that sets it apart from other wine grape regions.

The majority of rainfall occurs in the winter months, which are typically cool. The annual rainfall is 650mm, of which 282mm falls during the growing season (October through to April). The spring is cool and frosty with the summer relatively mild, although some intermittent bursts of hot weather occur. The autumn is long and cool and as a consequence of the extended ripening season there is a build up of flavours in the fruit, ensuring a balanced acidity.

Harvest is usually between mid March through to late April, and in some seasons into early May. White grape varieties are generally harvested a few weeks earlier than the reds.

The regions key climate related data is summarised below.   

The calcrete / limestone layer is broken-up at the time of site preparation through soil ripping, thus allowing young vines the opportunity to extend their roots deeper into the limestone and to facilitate a more even and consistent root zone. 

Coonawarra is internationally renowned for the band of terra rossa soil that runs through the region. The cigar shaped strip is approximately 15 kilometres in length and varies in width from 1.5 to 2.0 kilometres The black (rendzina) soil found on the western side of the terra rossa strip is of similar origin and structure to the terra rossa soil. The black soil is also extensively used for viticulture with significant plantings in recent years. The Project is located on the rendzina soil.

Coonawarra appears entirely flat, but the red soil is in fact situated on a slight, but important, ridge. The terra rossa (red earth) of Coonawarra is one of Australia's most renowned viticultural soils, although it is not unique to the region. Many parts of the Limestone Coast zone have similar soils, hence its name. Vivid red in colour, it is either friable, subplastic clay or shallow friable loam derived from and lying on top of a bed of soft limestone.