Wine Producing Regions - Mount Benson

You can click the dots on the map or alternatively click the licks on the left to find out more information about that region of South Australia.

• Overview
• Adelaide Hills
• Adelaide Plains
• Barossa Valley
• Clare Valley
• Coonawarra
• Currency Creek
• Eden Valley
• Kangaroo Island
• Langhome Creek
• McLaren Vale
• Mount Benson
• Padthaway
• Riverland
• Southern Fleurieu
• Southern Flinders
• Wrattonbully

Mount Benson, South Australia

Limestone Coast Zone, South Australia

Strongly influenced by the Southern Ocean, the climate in Mount Benson is unequivocally cool and maritime. Summer temperatures can be three degrees cooler than the nearby Coonawarra region, and though budburst occurs two weeks earlier, harvest is about the same time or slightly later. Irrigation is provided by high quality ground water, which exists in abundance in the underlying limestone.

The district now has six active cellar-door operations and three wineries (see list below). These businesses support the already very significant tourism industry in Robe and Kingston. The Cape Jaffa and Ralph Fowler brands are both widely distributed in Australia and have developed major export markets. Chapoutier and Cellarmaster wines (Black Wattle Vineyards) have significant investments in the region, and both have increased their plantings. The Ling family has the Baudin Rock brand that is being distributed in Australia and throughout export markets. They are also developing a tourist complex.

In vintage 2003, the region crushed about 2800 tonnes (2755 tons) at local wineries. Many more were crushed in wineries in nearby regions. A significant development in the region has been the establishment of the Kreglinger Australia Mount Benson winery of 5000 tonne (4921 ton) capacity together with a 162 hectare (400-acre) vineyard planted to Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc.

Wine Notes

Chardonnay

Surprisingly, in an age when Chardonnay is king, it has been overtaken here by Sauvignon Blanc. Chardonnay here is slightly finer and more elegant than that of either Padthaway or Coonawarra and has an excellent intensity.

Sauvignon Blanc

These crisp, grassy, herbaceous wines are very different from the far richer examples of Padthaway, reflecting the distinctly warmer climate of Mount Benson with attractive touches of gooseberry and passionfruit.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

Recent vintages confirm early promise. These wines avoid any herbaceous suggestion and are more Bordeaux-like than those of Coonawarra. Natural tannin levels are good, and the overall extract and weight are more than satisfactory. To date, Mount Benson’s Cabernet styles have been successful in winning a number of trophies and gold medals.

Shiraz

The status of Shiraz in the region has been given a major boost by the Chapoutier investment. The wine quality and style is exciting, with cherry, black pepper and spice flavours in a medium bodied frame lending itself to the use of French oak. Other winemakers, well experienced with Shiraz, are also adding a small quantity of Viognier to enhance the suppleness and style.

Viognier

Initial plantings of Viognier in this region are proving extremely successful.