Producer Profile
Wynns
Wynns Estate Coonawarra was established in 1951, but has a history dating back to the 1800s. It was originally purchased by Scottish pioneer John Riddoch in 1891, then later acquired by Samuel and David Wynn. Wynns has become a symbol of quality and heritage, renowned for their rich, intense wines which embody the traditions of Australian winemaking.
As the 1960s/70s approached, it became clear that Australians had developed a liking for dry, red table wine. Wynns marketed Coonawarra Estate wines in accordance with this trend. As they gained popularity, they increased their holdings over the next two decades. By 1981, they were the largest grower in the district. By 1982, they had released their first vintage of the John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon. Their reputation continued to soar.
With long-established vineyards in the region, Wynns’ history is deeply intertwined with Coonawarra. Over the past two decades, the vines have been meticulously rejuvenated, resulting in wines which truly capture the essence of the region. Coonawarra, which is an Aboriginal word meaning honeysuckle, is an outcrop of land 300 miles from both Adelaide and Melbourne. It is a unique viticultural area which owes its fame to the terra rossa (literally “red earth”) soil. This soil has proved itself to be ideally suited to the production of outstanding grapes for wine-making, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon grape.
The climate here, at only 50 miles from the chilly Southern Ocean and the influence of the Antarctic winds, is marginal for vine-growing, as is the case for most of the great wines of the world, and the result is the production of wines of great complexity and intensity of flavour.
In 1998, Sue Hodder was appointed as senior winemaker, a role which she holds to this day. Sue oversees the release of the single-vineyard wines alongside many other duties. Under her leadership, the estate has continued to thrive and build a reputation for the excellent portfolio of wines ranging from Riesling and Shiraz, through to their flagship John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon.
