Padthaway

Identified in 1963 by Karl Seppelt as a viticultural region on the basis of a Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and South Australian Department of Agriculture study carried out 19 years earlier, Padthaway was originally known as Keppoch. The acquisition of 350 hectares (865 acres) by Seppelt encouraged first Lindemans, then Hardys (in 1968) and thence Wynns to follow suit and to this day the region remains the preserve of the major companies. Notwithstanding the originally modest quality expectations held for the region by its pioneers, Padthaway has proved to be an excellent white wine producer and, if yields are controlled, an equally good red wine area.

Given the absence of any significant mountains, a maritime climate generally prevails. The region’s original bias towards white wines is surprising given that it is significantly warmer than Coonawarra to the south, with more sunshine hours, lower rainfall and fewer rain days. It was no doubt climatic statistics that led its founders to assume it would be more likely to succeed as a red wine area. Water availability is a severely limiting factor in an area of otherwise vast potential and irrigation is essential. Spring frosts are a major threat.

While the slopes are very gentle, there is variation within the landscape. Subtle differences in slope and elevation are important, not so much from a climatic viewpoint (although spring frosts are a danger), but rather as an indication of soil changes. In a 1944 CSIRO report the soil of the region was described thus, "The soil type which occurs in numerous small patches consists of a brown sandy loam over red-brown clay over limestone. This soil type is very variable in depth and there are usually some stony portions on each of the small patches in which it occurs. It is a terra rossa soil... the deeper sites of the terra rossa soils should make first class garden soils."

The 1998 opening of the large, state-of-the-art Stonehaven Winery of Hardy’s Wines has significantly increased awareness of the region and the quality of its wines. The spectacular success of the winery at the 2000 San Francisco International Wine Competition where it won top exhibitor and winemaker trophies adds further lustre.