About Coolangatta Estate

Alexander Berry was the first to plant vines grown on the foothills of Mt. Coolangatta in the mid 1800s, but it was not until the 1980s that Greg Bishop, the son of the current owner, Colin Bishop, realised the potential to re-establish vineyards on this historic site. He was confident that the coastal climate of the Shoalhaven was an ideal site the growing of high quality grapes. He planted Sauvignon Blanc on the eastern slopes of Mt. Coolangatta and named the vineyard ‘Cullengatty’.

After several years of back-breaking work and innumerable hours of study and consultation with professionals, their first vintage was hand-picked and sent off to Tyrrells to be made into wine in 1990.

The success of this wine and later vintages were enough to convince Greg that by using the right viticultural techniques, wines of excellent quality could be produced in the Shoalhaven.

Since their modest beginnings, they have now expanded their range to include plantings of Albarino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Merlot, Semillon, Semillon, Tannat, Tempranillo and Verdelho.

The coastal climate and geological conditions of the Shoalhaven are conducive to the whites being very much be fruit-driven, well-balanced in style and display a crisp natural acidity. They have been greatly assisted in their climb up the ladder of success by the expertise of their winemaker, Andrew Spinaze, who was the 2004 Australian Winemaker of the Year. It is due to his efforts and guidance, and of course the whole team at Coolangatta Estate, that their wines are now considered to be among the best in Australia.

Their medium-bodied reds have also enjoyed much success. They present with fine tannins and have an elegant fruit character. The reds, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Tannat and Chambourcin, are developed under the care of Tyrrell’s red winemaker, Mark Richardson, and he has brought a great deal of success and awards to Coolangatta Estate. They have also developed a Vintage Port in a popular lighter-style, made from estate-grown Chambourcin. All of these wines are available at their Cellar Door.