After three decades of growing grapes for some of Australia's most esteemed labels, Zilzie began bottling the pick of the crop under their own own. Many years experience means that they know how to produce great wines while keeping them as accessible and easy to enjoy as possible, it's a delicate balancing act. Zilzie make a salient expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from fruit grown to Coonawarra's rich red iron soils, as distinctive for it's vigorous perfumes as it is for it's generousity of flavour and integration of French oak with stylish tannins.

The pick of the Zema crop and a big family secret, that this outstanding wine is produced in extremely limited quantities. Zema are proudly traditional in their approach to sustainable vineyard practice, controlling crop levels and hand pruning the vines. These practices are enhanced by the family's three strategically selected vineyard locations, capitalising on the regions subtle variations. Family Selection has all the characteristics of a classic Coonawarra Cabernet, concentrated, in a fuller style, with a big palate and exceptional balance.

Coonawarra Cabernet is a genre unto itself, and Zema excels, burnished by fine tannins, oozing with currant, mint and cassis.

Zema excel in the construct of multi varietal Bordelais styled reds. The family is proudly traditional in their approach to vineyard practice, favouring hand pruning and limited irrigation to maximise quality. Demetrio and Francesca Zema chose their ground carefully in 1982. Cluny captures the mood of Bordeaux, the feel and the presence of fine Medoc. A masterfully fashioned cépage of pure alchemy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Franc, magically brought forward through the addition of Malbec and patient ageing in smaller oak barrels.

Zema understand Coonawarra viticulture very well, it was their first workplace and home after immigrating to Australia, they still insist on personally husbanding their vines. Subtley contrasting mesoclimes and delicate variations of soil represent a palette of terroir, from which to craft a solidly structured Cabernet Sauvignon with malleable tannins, fragrant bramble fruit character and stylish oak, the essential construct of Coonawarra. Match Zema with succulently roast garlic lamb, twice cooked duck or slowly braised cheek of beef.

Menzies is a stellar single vineyard Cabernet from the House of Yalumba, grown to an exceptional site at the heart of cigar shaped Coonawarra Terra rossa. Since inaugural vintage, Menzies has been crafted to small batch techniques, maintaining the integrity of each constituent parcel right through to maturation. Only the finest of the candidate wines of vintage are selected before assembling into Yalumba's flagship Cabernet, crammed with rich blackberry fruit, supported by the most extravagant oak and polished, showroom tannins.

Yalumba planted the Menzies Vineyard in 1975 and 1994, with a view to establishing an elite marque of Coonawarra. Named after the unique cigar shaped strip of rich Terra rossa soils, Cigar is sourced mostly from the younger blocks at Menzies North and Menzies South. The wines from these superlative sites have a style of their own, as vines are influenced by a diverse range of elements to yield the most eloquently flavoured fruit. The Cigar is a fully engrossing Cabernet Sauvignon with intense, dark berry characters and the most equitable tannins.

A pure single vineyard release from the distinguished Alexander block at the heart of Coonawarra. One of the most consistently performing, low yielding vineyards of the entire region, Alex 88 is regularly called upon for contributions to the icon John Riddoch Cabernet and eminent estate Black Label. The choice terra rossa soils underlying Alex 88 are mixed with deep, light clays, which yield a painfully meager harvest of Cabernet Sauvignon, translating into intense wines of the most remarkable concentration.

In commemoration of a prominent railway siding, a conspicuous landmark which played a defining role in the fledging settlement of Coonawarra's fruitgrowing precincts. Completed in 1898, The Siding was the hub for transporting several hundred hogsheads of wine a year. A splendid effort at Cabernet Sauvignon, abundant with a vibrant spectrum of distinct varietal and regional expressions, red cherries, dark berries and mint. Approachable on release, while delivering the requisite characteristics synonymous with archetypal Coonawarra Cabernet.

Excellent Langtons Classification. A multiple trophy and gold winner at national and international wine shows. Acknowledged as one of Australia's and indeed one of the new world's finest Cabernet Sauvignon. A long term cellar dweller with concentration and intensity of flavour, this immensely powerful wine requires long term ageing, ten or twenty years, to fully appreciate its complexity.

Excellent Langtons Classification. John Riddoch is made in small quantities from the best fruit grown to the estate's extensive plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon. Conceived as a flagship wine for the Wynns portfolio, it carries the name of the Coonawarra's founding father into the 21st century. Arguably richer and more concentrated than any other Coonawarra, made only in years when Cabernet Sauvignon of extraordinarily high quality is available, less than one per cent of the most superior estate grown grapes are destined for inclusion into John Riddoch.

An exceptional harvest, single vineyard release from a superior block of Coonawarra vine which has been at the core of the most memorable Wynns vintages. The Harold vines ripened evenly and early in 2013, translating into a delicately featured wine in the style of Wynns early Clarets. Matured fifteen months in a selection of seasoned and new French oak barriques, its intriguing violet and lavender floral bouquet leads on to an expansive palate of dark Coonawarra fruit characters, olives and spice, the exquisite eloquence of a beautiful old vineyard.

Established by John Riddoch in 1891, Wynns now retain some marvelous old vineyards. With each harvest, Wynns select a single distinguished site to bottle as a superior vintage release. Glengyle was planted in 1969 and is traditionally one of the first Coonawarra vineyards to ripen. Matured eighteen months in a selection of French oak barriques and hogsheads, beautifully evolved after years of bottle age under the Wynn estate cellars, Glengyle's silky tannins, precision and length, support a concentrated palate of animate black currants flavours, black cherry and cassis.

Australia's most approachable and widely enjoyed marque of Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1890, John Riddoch, the squire of Penola, subdivided 800 hectares of prime winegrowing Terra rossa property. Individual blocks of the Coonawarra Fruit Colony were offered in four hectare allotments at £100 on fairly easy terms. It wasn't long before Coonawarra Claret established an international reputation. The Riddoch holdings were acquired in the 1950s by Melbourne wine merchants Samuel and David Wynnn, who redeveloped the deterioraing estate to new and greater glory.

Excellent Langtons Classification. The 54th release, first produced in 1954 and widely known as Black Label, Wynns Coonawarra is Australia's favourite Cabernet, having established a solid reputation for consistency and style. The redoubtable Black Label is produced from only the top tier of estate grown fruit, only one out of every five grapes make the final cut. A wine of style and stature, a perennial favourite at auction circles, Black Label is one of Australia's most collectable wines. It offers oustanding early drinking with superb potential for cellaring.

Excellent Langtons Classification. One of Australia's most accessible icon wines. The 53rd vintage of Black Label, with a long established reputation at setting the benchmark in regional and varietal definition. A Coonawarra Cabernet of style and stature, vinified from fruit grown to old vines averaging over thirty years of age. Always the perennial favourite around auction markets, Black Label is one of Australia's most collectable wines. A profound and engaging experience when enjoyed in its youth, Black Label consistently delivers the potential for medium to long term cellaring.

Excellent Langtons Classification. The first Coonawarra vineyards were established by John Riddoch in the 1890s, it was not until acquisition by Samuel Wynn & Co in 1951 however that they began to earn fame as a superior source of world class Cabernet Sauvignon. Wynns remain the largest landholders in Coonawarra, conspicuously claiming best Cabernet award on three occasions at the prestigious London International. Few Australian wines can lay claim to such a consistency of quality through decades of the most memorable vintages.

Inaugurally crafted in vintage 1954 and widely known as Black Label, Wynns Cabernet is produced from the top pick of estate grown fruit, it has established a reputation for displaying excellent varietal and regional Coonawarra charm. A Cabernet Sauvignon of stature, structure and style, a perennial favourite around the auction circuit, Black Label is one of Australia's most collectable wines. It consistently delivers a peerless experience as an early drinking Coonawarra Cabernet while offering splended potential for extended cellaring.

While it was the blending of red varietal wines that made Wolf Blass famous, his capacity to source the finest fruit was the cornerstone of his efforts. Wolf Blass was the master at bringing together raw components of excellent potential and assembling them into a complete wine. To this day, the Wolf Blass team retain access to the finest harvests of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, to be crafted into a pure wine of generosity and style, elegance and finesse. The perfect match to juicy lamb racks, tender vension or succulent beef.

Thomas Hardy was a visionary who embarked upon a journey to deliver a dependable range of the highest quality table wines to the nascent Australian market. He established his brand in the 1850s, at a time when most of his contemporaries were struggling to produce a wine which would appeal to the Australian palate. The Hardy company of today still retain some of the finest viticultural assets in the nation, the princelings of Coonawarra plantings are set aside in the most outstanding vintages, to be crafted into the national icon Thomas Hardy Cabernet.

Stepping Stone determine the precise time to harvest their Cabernet grapes on the basis of complete flavour development and tannin ripeness. The Father Woods property, from which much of the fruit will be sourced, is located at the northern end of the Coonawarra Terra rossa strip. The site is meticulously managed and stands out as the largest hand pruned vineyard within Coonawarra. Stepping Stone is the complete Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, with a full palate of sweet blackberry fruit, judicious, integrated oak and ripe, smooth tannins.

St Mary's Winery is situated on a strip of Terra rossa soil, some fifteen kilometres west of the township of Penola. Originally a grazing property, the poor topsoils working in combination with rich Terra rossa underneath, yield scant quantities of the most powerfully flavoured wine grapes. Exclusively estate grown Cabernet is harvested for the creation of St Mary's House Block, a wine of overall richness and fine palate structure, dense with varietal fruit character and Coonawarra charm, harmoniously integrated after extended ageing.

Excellent Langtons Classification. Named for the contribution of Johann Gramp's grandson to the Orlando Wine Company, St Hugo is the very best varietal Cabernet Sauvignon of vintage. Hugo is vintaged entirely from fruit grown to the famed cigar shape of Coonawarra Terra rossa, one of the world's great Cabernet appellations. The team regularly visit the vineyards monitoring development of grapes. Selection is the key to delivering the finest possible St Hugo, only the standout parcels of Coonawarra Cabernet are earmarked for inclusion.

Distinguished Langtons Classification. An outstanding vintage release of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon, as crafted by one of Australia's grand old wineries, collated from superior vineyards in Coonawarra, winner this year of a breathtaking three Trophies and five Gold Medals. Johann Gramp planted his first vines on the banks of Jacob's Creek in 1847, Hugo was his grandson, the patriarch of Orlando Wines.

Fresh from the Rymill stable, Yearling is a graceful one year old Cabernet, specially trained to present lively fruit aromas over a soft, supple structure, immediately upon release. Yearling explodes the myth that Coonawarra Cabernet needs to be cellared and aged before it's ready to drink. The softness and affability makes it the ideal partner to traditional red meats, intermediate dishes like pizzas, pastas or curry, versatile enough to accompany game and white meats. This vibrant and approachable Coonawarra Cabernet is perfect for enjoyment right now.

John Riddoch founded Coonawarra in 1890, the list of his accomplishments in the development of Coonawarra as a premiere agricultural region is breathtaking. His descendants were also highly accomplished, among them are polar explorers and scientists, sailors and equestrians. Riddoch's great grandson established Rymill on the very centenary of Coonawarra in 1990. Stately and profound, the definitive Coonawarra Cabernet, displaying benchmark regional style, distinguished yet approachable, decanting is recommended before service.

Rockbare work to a belief that wine should tell a story about the terroir whence it originates, that the vines deserve lots of love and care, that the winemaking process should be the subject of minimal handling to allow growers to do what they do best. Hand selected parcels of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon are cold soaked for a fortnight of spontaneous ferment on skins, an extended gentle press into a choice selection of seasoned and new, European and French oak casks, followed by malolactic and a year's maturation. Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon of elegance and controlled power.

The largest independent grape grower in the Coonawarra, Rex Watson is driven by a vision and passion to produce the highest quality reds, to be savoured at every occasion. Watson's Cabernet is a project very close to heart and it has claimed many pivotal accolades throghout the vintages. A vigorous wine that brims with cassis, blackberry and fine, subdued oak.

Vitulus provides an entry level to the Reschke family of statuesque Cabernet wines. Vitulus is barrel matured without being heavily oaked. The aim is for roundness and length derived from time spent in barrel, but not to interfere too much with the complex, defined fruit characters which are the hallmark of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Its judicious level of natural acidity will see Vitulus develop slowly and gracefully, achieving great complexity as exciting cigarbox and chocolate characters evolve.

Empyrean was the first bottling under the Reschke label, it remains the estate flagship, crafted from the most outstanding vines of Cabernet Sauvignon on the Reschke estate property, only ever released from exceptional vintage years. The grapes are distinctive for their thick skins and modest size, treated to an extended term of age in exclusively new French oak. The barrels are culled and only the finest are considered for inclusion, a powerful, opulently proportioned style, identified by savant Robert Parker as the benchmark for Coonawarra's famed Cabernet Sauvignon.

Labelled under the sign of the bull, to proclaim the Reschke family's Coonawarra cattle grazing heritage. The vines are meticulously managed, yielding a quality of harvest which became the secret ingredient to some of the nation's most memorable vintages. A combination of crushed fruit and whole berries are treated to daily pumpovers until fermented to dry, followed by thirty months maturation in a high proportion of new hogsheads and barriques. Currants and cassis, menthol and coffee bean oak, an intense blueberry and black olive palate, supported by firm, flattering tannins.

A traditionaly crafted red wine, made from grapes grown to hand managed vines a half century of age, planted to rich, red Terra rossa soils. One of the nation's most enduring Cabernet wines, the Redman family can trace its heritage of Coonawarra viticulture to forty acres purchased by Bill Redman in 1908. A consistent effort with every vintage release, Redman defines the timeless Coonawarra Cabernet style, rich ripe tannin and excellent varietal berry fruit characters are the foundation, the finish is long in flavour, firm and dry.

From one of the Coonawarra's most illustrious viticulturalists, Punters Corner is home to the 2000 Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy. The wines are compellingy Coonawarra in style, vinified from the pick of the estate's crop every year. A venerable source of fruit for some of Australia's most prestigious wines, the top ten percent is held back and reserved for bottling under the Punters Corner label.

The excellence of Petaluma's stately Cabernet wines is due in great part to the virtue of Coonawarra's most distinguished sites. The fabulous Terra rossa soils and calcrete limestone deposits underneath, contribute to the majesty of Petaluma Coonawarra. Five choice blocks of estate Coonawarra vine are the source of fruit, for the construct of a rich yet elegant, mouthfilling Cabernet Sauvignon, slightly more approachable than the opulent estate flagships, fashioned to the cherished and enduring, profoundly Petaluma styling.

This enduring flagship wine can boast twenty trophys and over seventy gold medals throughout its illustrious history. Penley Steyning captures and enhances the excellence in first growth Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, highlighted by rich berry tones, superior length and layers of intense flavour, a wine which achieves perfect harmony between massive intensity of fruit, mouth filling grape tannins and elegant acids. The extended time in new French oak is a key factor to the integration and development. Flavour, depth and length dominate the style.

Full-bodied, powerful, French-styled 2001 exhibits aromas of lead pencil/graphite, creme de cassis, cedar, and tobacco. Scents of chocolate, currants, well-integrated oak, plenty of power and length, sweet tannin, and enormous potential, it will drink beautifully for 10-12 years. The tannins are very fine and powdery, already showing great integration at this early stage. Long dry and fruity finish, drink now and until 2011.

Coonawarra did not happen by chance, it was established on sound scientific principles after the assessment of extensive feasibility studies. The Parker Estate Vineyards at the southern end of Coonawarra, were established 1985 on rich Terra Rosa over limestone soils. Parker have achieved a remarkable reputation within Australia and throughout the world of wine, wherever great vintages are revered for their integrity and continuity of excellence. Commercial constraints played no part in the development. John Parker was driven by a passion to create the First Growth of Coonawarra Cabernet.