Wrattonbully

This is another important region which initially suffered an identity crisis but from which it has now emerged.  Only Pemberton (in Western Australia) has generated as much debate over its name. 

Because of legal complications involving the initial choice of Koppamurra as its name, this region was slow to take hold. However, after Koppamurra Wines was established in 1973, the pace of regional development accelerated and dramatically so during the decade of the 1990s.  There are now 11 major vineyard developments and 2300 hectares (5683 acres) of vineyards have been planted.  As in the case of Padthaway, much of the production is used by major wine companies, notably Hardy's Wines, Beringer Blass and Yalumba, in blended wines.  It is unfortunate that full recognition of the importance of the quality of this region's wine may be slow in coming.

In 1998 Heathfield Ridge, the large contract-crush winery was constructed.  Its primary purpose was to service the needs of the major grape (and bulk wine) buyers from the region. In 2001 the Tidswell family leased their Heathfield Ridge Winery to Orlando, however Heathfield wines are still processed at the winery, and in 2005 Ben and Andrea Tidswell renamed the business, Tidswell Wines.  

The climate here is poised between that of its neighbours, Coonawarra and Padthaway; slightly warmer than the former and cooler than the latter, although there is surprisingly little variation across the three regions.  Relative humidity here (and hence the risk of disease) is slightly lower than the other two regions, and the risk of frost is significantly less. Rainfall in Coonawarra and Wrattonbully is virtually identical. Irrigation is essential, but there is sufficient underground water of appropriate quality (salinity is not a problem) to irrigate 10000 hectares (24711 acres) of vines if no other irrigated agriculture is being conducted.  As the statistics indicate, this is a temperate region and especially well suited to the production of high-quality red wines.

The existence of that gently undulating incline of low hills called the Naracoorte Ranges has permitted the establishment of vineyards at an elevation of 75 to 100 metres (246 to 328 feet) on gently hilly slopes.  This facilitates cold air flow and, combined with the elevation, provides a significant measure of frost protection.

The vineyards of Wrattonbully also share the so-called terra rossa soils so famous in Coonawarra, which derive from the ancient coastal dunes and seabed formations that give the Limestone Coast its name.  Fertility is moderate to high; in part from the very good structure and partly from the neutral to mildly alkaline chemical balance.  Substantial yields are achieved without loss of quality.