Coonawarra is a wine region on the Limestone Coast of South Australia that is known for the Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced on its "terra rossa" soil. Coonawarra is an Aboriginal word meaning "Honeysuckle". The first vines were planted here in 1890.
Coonawarra is synonymous with classy Cabernet Sauvignon, full of plum and blackcurrant fruit. So much so, that success with other grape varieties is overlooked. In the early days Shiraz was the most widely-planted grape, and it produces some star wines. The limestone geology also suits Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc.