The DiGiorgio Coonawarra vineyard, planted on the famous 'terra rossa' strip of soil surrounding the family winery, forms part of what was the original site of the Coonawarra Fruit Growing Colony, established by John Riddoch in 1890. Now more than 115 years old, a few knarled old shiraz vines still exist from the original colony's plantings, making a dramatic statement about the key location of the DiGiorgio Family winery and vineyards.The Digiorgio Family believes passionately that you can not make great wine from ordinary grapes and that lower yields and maximisation of fruit expression the secret to quality wine production.
Sparkling Blush
Bright salmon pink, with pale apricot tones. It has a very fine and persistent mousse
Ripe strawberry and bramble fruit aromas abound, supported by freshly baked bread characters
Flavours of strawberry and cream, balanced with a lively citrus overlayed with yeast flavours lengthing the palate.The structure is round and soft with a crisp, clean finish.
Sparkling Red
Deep crimson with brick red hues and a fine and persistent bead
A rich array of ripe forest fruits and plum pudding with hints of spice and old brandy
Soft and creamy flavours reminiscent of plum jam and boiled fruit cake with raspberry and currant characters.The structure is rich and full with a long finish.
Full bodied white
Pale straw
Lifted aromas of rockmelon, white stone fruit and toasty oak
A complex layered palate, showing white peach and nectarine flavours, beautifully balanced with textured oak.The creamy mid palate evolves into a long and flinty mineral finish.
Full bodied dry red
Deep crimson, almost opaque with purple highlightsBlueberry, blackcurrant and boysenberry fruit aromas with vanilla and spice characters resulting from extended maturation in very tight grained oak barrels.
Lifted blackcurrant, raspberry and black olives, with soft, fine tannins and ample sweet fruit flavours. A persistent finish with toasty, spicy oak spilling onto the palate.
Full bodied dry red
Deep crimson with purple hues
Bouquet shows raspberry, spice and cracked pepper aromas with subtle oak influence.
Deliciously ripe raspberry, mulberry and liquorice flavours mingle with nuances of black pepper, chocolate and spice, finishing with vibrant black fruit, smooth velvety tannins and toasty vanilla oak.
Full bodied dry red.
Deep purple with crimson hues.
Complex nose of rich, sweet black red fruits, mocha and cedary, spicy oak.
A rounded and soft structure with blackberry, raspberry, chocolate and cassis fruit flavours. The palate is long and full with spice, toasty sweet vanillin oak and smooth velvety tannins. Full bodied but beautifully balanced this wine can be enjoyed now but has enormous cellaring potential.
Sparkling white
Pale straw with a very fine and persistent mousseComplex toasty notes with lifted citrus and a hint of freshly baked bread characters derived from bottle fermentation.
Rich apple, preserved pear and lemon brioche flavours balanced with crisp acidity and a fine mouth filling mousse that finishes with toasty yeast notes.
Aromatic dry white
Pale straw with green hues
Tropical fruit and citrus aromas with smoky overtonesLime, grapefruit, gooseberry and tropical fruits give wayto crisp mineral acidity and a vibrant finish. Fresh andclean with lovely balance
Sparkling blush
Pale salmon pink
Ripe strawberries with lifted spicy aromas of freshly baked bread
Soft and approachable, with ample strawberry and cream flavours. Some yeasty complexity on the palate, which finishes with a hint of fruit sweetness
Sweet white wine
Pale straw, with golden hues
Rich dried apricot and peach, candied cumquat and subtle honeyed oak.
Intense dried peaches and cumquat gives way to a crisp acidity. Complex and alluring, with a generous mouth filling finish.
Aromatic dry white
Pale straw with vibrant green hues
Attractive nectarine, white peach and fresh lemon zestLively and fresh with stone fruit, rock melon and lime peel characters balanced with crisp acidity and a lifted finish.
Full bodied dry red
Deep red with purple hues
Rich plum, blackberry and spice overlaid with vanillin oak,
Layered blackberry, raspberry and mulberry with chocolate, spice and silky tannins and a wonderfully textured finish
Full bodied dry red
Deep purple with crimson hues
Ripe black cherry and red fruit characters along with cedar and nutmeg aromas finishing with fresh mint and spice notes.
Blueberry, blackcurrant and peppermint flavours mixed with lovely spicy oak.
A complex and softly textured wine.
Unoaked white wine
Light pale straw with hints of green
A fresh, floral aroma showing tropical fruit and lemon zest from the Sauvignon Blanc with hints of stone fruit from the Semillon and Chardonnay.
Fresh and fruity, with a zesty, cleansing finish
Full bodied dry red
Deep red with vibrant purple hues
Lifted plum, blackcurrant and spicy aromas, with subtle oak and earthy notes
Ripe plum and blueberry fruit characters dominate the palate with savoury tannins and supple oak leading to a dry finish
Peter Douglas, DiGiorgio Family Wines winemaker Peter, often referred to as 'Coonawarra's master of Cabernet', has tremendous experience in the district, having been chief winemaker at Wynns Coonawarra Estate for 14 years.
Peter has also traveled extensively, making wine in France, Italy, Tunisia and the Americas as well as consulting to many clients in the Limestone Coast. Peter is passionate about the Limestone Coast and Coonawarra, and their place amongst the great wine regions of the world.
"I can think of other winemaking regions around the world where it would also be nice to reside, but Coonawarra is the best place to be if you want to make great wines every vintage", Peter Douglas.
Assisting Peter in the winery is Bryan Tonkin. Bryan has many years experience in varied winemaking roles on the Limestone Coast and beyond, and along with an experienced team of cellar hands, carries out the important tasks associated with running a modern winery and ensures that ultimate quality is maintained throughout the winemaking process.
Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) to regulate the irrigation to minimal levels, there by achieving more intense varietal expression and concentration of fruit flavour. Both electric and machine driven irrigation systems are backed up by each other to provide accurate irrigation scheduling.
Inter-row planting of fine grasses to create a balanced environment with a view to increase weed competition and reduce vine vigour, hence achieving again, greater fruit intensity.
Minimal use of herbicides, pesticides and general agri-chemicals, however, recognising that quality must not be compromised by the invasion of pests or diseases.
Canopy management practices including trimming to maximize air flow and reduce the incidence of disease before chemical useage
The investment of frost protection both overhead sprinklers and frost fans exhibits the commitment to sustained ripening of the fruit through to vintage.
The vineyards are audited annually to maintain the Quality Assured Grape Grower status is maintained.
The DiGiorgio family is proud that it has been able to almost totally control the development and management of their vineyards with the resources of the family business. The family's vineyard holdings are divided between Lucindale and Coonawarra.
The DiGiorgio Coonawarra vineyard, planted on the famous 'terra rossa' strip of soil surrounding the family winery, forms part of what was the original site of the Coonawarra Fruit Growing Colony, established by John Riddoch in 1890. Now more than 115 years old, a few knarled old shiraz vines still exist from the original colony's plantings, making a dramatic statement about the key location of the DiGiorgio Family winery and vineyards.The DiGiorgio Family believes passionately that you can not make great wine from ordinary grapes and that lower yields and maximisation of fruit expression are the secret to quality wine production.