{"title":"Katnook Estate Wines","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0553\/1844\/6114\/files\/producer-katnook.png?v=1787321767\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Coonawarra Classic with a Story in Every Bottle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are wine regions where geography matters, and then there is Coonawarra, where geography almost feels like destiny. A long, narrow strip of rich terra rossa soil lies across the otherwise flat landscape of South Australia, creating one of the country’s most distinctive homes for Cabernet Sauvignon. At the centre of this remarkable patch of red earth sits Katnook Estate, a winery whose history reaches back to the very beginnings of Coonawarra and whose wines have helped define the region’s reputation around the world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe story begins in 1867 with John Riddoch, a Scottish immigrant who recognised the agricultural potential of the area and established what would become one of Coonawarra’s most important early properties. Riddoch planted vines in the 1890s and produced his first commercial wine in 1896 in the estate’s historic Woolshed. Remarkably, that building still stands today, now part of Katnook’s winemaking heritage and a physical reminder that this is not a winery that has simply adopted an old story for marketing purposes. Its roots genuinely run deep.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYet Katnook’s modern identity was still some way into the future. Vineyards were replanted from 1971, and the first commercial vintage of the new era was made in 1980. That vintage marked the beginning of another important chapter, led by winemaker Wayne Stehbens. Stehbens would spend an extraordinary career at Katnook, becoming one of the most influential figures in Coonawarra winemaking and helping turn the estate from a historic property into a nationally and internationally respected wine producer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eWinemaking\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe philosophy developed over those years remains central to Katnook. The aim is not simply to make powerful wines, but to capture the particular character of Coonawarra: concentrated fruit, naturally fresh acidity, finely textured tannins and a distinctive savoury edge. The region’s famous terra rossa sits over limestone, while its cool climate and long growing season allow grapes—particularly Cabernet Sauvignon—to ripen slowly and develop complexity without sacrificing freshness. It is a combination that gives Coonawarra wines their celebrated balance between generosity and restraint.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0553\/1844\/6114\/files\/Winemaker_a1ba75f1-2e8d-4531-91ad-8a72a31db362.webp?v=1787321683\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, that legacy has passed to Daniel McNicol, the next generation of winemaking leadership at Katnook. His role is less about reinventing the estate than understanding what makes the vineyards special and carrying that character forward. There is a certain confidence in that approach. After all, when a region has spent more than a century proving what it can do, the smartest winemaking decision may sometimes be to listen rather than interfere.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlongside their flagship wines, Katnook produces a broader portfolio including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. The wines vary in style and ambition, but they are united by the same fundamental idea: Coonawarra should remain visible in the glass. That sense of place is perhaps the estate’s greatest asset.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0553\/1844\/6114\/files\/Vineyard_Driveway.webp?v=1787321937\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAwards and Accolades\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd then there are the accolades. Katnook can point to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etwo Jimmy Watson Trophies\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, international trophies for Odyssey, inclusion in Langton’s classifications and a five star rating in James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion. These are not simply decorations around the brand; they chart the evolution of an estate that has consistently managed to combine tradition with serious winemaking ambition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat makes Katnook especially appealing, however, is that the story goes beyond awards. There is the old Woolshed, the red terra rossa soil, the cool Coonawarra nights, the generations of viticultural knowledge and the long memory contained in bottles capable of ageing for decades. It is a wine estate with history, but not one trapped by it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKatnook’s greatest achievement may therefore be rather simple: it has helped give Coonawarra a voice. Deeply rooted in one of Australia’s most distinctive wine landscapes, the estate has spent decades refining that voice into Cabernet Sauvignon of remarkable authority, Shiraz with power and polish, and a broader collection of wines that continues to demonstrate the possibilities of the region.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"katnook-estate-founders-block-chardonnay-2023","title":"Katnook Estate Founder's Block Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are few Australian wine regions with a stronger sense of place than Coonawarra, and Katnook Estate sits right at the heart of it. With a history reaching back to Scottish pioneer John Riddoch and the late nineteenth century, Katnook is one of the names that helped put Coonawarra on the Australian wine map. Riddoch’s historic woolshed, where one of the region’s early commercial vintages was made in 1896, still stands at the estate today. The vineyards are rooted in Coonawarra’s famous terra rossa soils, the narrow strip of rich red earth over limestone that gives the region its distinctive personality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Founder’s Block range takes its name from Riddoch’s original landholding and was created with a deliberately contemporary purpose: to bring the character and pedigree of Katnook to a broader audience in wines that are approachable, generous and enjoyable without demanding years in the cellar. The Chardonnay is a particularly attractive expression of that philosophy. It combines the freshness and natural acidity associated with Coonawarra’s climate with the ripe, immediately appealing fruit that makes Chardonnay such a versatile favourite.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWinemaking\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the winery, the emphasis is on preserving fruit while adding just enough winemaking detail to give the wine shape and texture. Chardonnay’s naturally expressive fruit is complemented by subtle oak influence, creating a wine that feels rounded rather than heavy. There is no attempt to overpower the variety with excessive oak or buttery richness; instead, the wine retains a lively freshness that keeps the palate moving.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0553\/1844\/6114\/files\/35574-1_d22ff51f-c135-490f-96b7-4e37b894a4d1.png?v=1787323231\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTasting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe result is wonderfully inviting. Expect aromas and flavours of white peach, ripe pear, melon and citrus, with delicate hints of vanilla and brioche adding another layer of interest. On the palate, the fruit is supple and creamy, while a bright line of acidity provides balance and length. It is the kind of Chardonnay that manages to be both generous and refreshing—rich enough to be interesting, but never so weighty that it becomes tiring.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAwards and Accolades\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe wine has also earned recognition beyond the cellar door. Founder’s Block Chardonnay has been commended at the Sommelier Wine Awards, while earlier vintages have attracted praise in international wine circles, reinforcing Katnook’s ability to produce an accessible Chardonnay with genuine regional identity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerhaps that is the real charm of Founder’s Block Chardonnay. It doesn’t try to make Chardonnay complicated; it simply makes it very good. There is Coonawarra’s cool climate freshness, Katnook’s long winemaking heritage and a modern, fruit driven style that makes the bottle remarkably easy to enjoy. Pair it with roast chicken, smoked salmon, creamy pasta or a simple pizza, and it quickly demonstrates why good Australian Chardonnay deserves far more attention in European wine glasses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Katnook Estate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54619098415450,"sku":null,"price":21.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0553\/1844\/6114\/files\/35574-1.png?v=1787322835"},{"product_id":"katnook-estate-founders-block-cabernet-sauvignon-2023","title":"Katnook Estate Founder's Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2023","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoonawarra Character Without the Fuss\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are few Australian wine regions as instantly recognisable as Coonawarra, and fewer still where Cabernet Sauvignon seems so completely at home. At the heart of this famous South Australian strip of terra rossa soil sits Katnook Estate, a name deeply woven into the region’s modern winemaking story. The estate’s history reaches back to pioneer John Riddoch, whose early plantings helped establish Coonawarra’s reputation, while Katnook’s modern winemaking era began in 1971, with its first contemporary commercial vintage released in 1980.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFounder’s Block pays tribute to that history, taking its name from Riddoch’s original landholding and turning the estate’s Coonawarra pedigree into a wine designed to be approachable, generous and thoroughly enjoyable. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe secret to the wine’s character begins beneath the vines. Coonawarra’s famous terra rossa soils sit over an ancient limestone ridge, creating conditions particularly well suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. The region’s relatively cool climate encourages a long, gradual ripening season, helping the grapes retain freshness and natural acidity while developing the dark-fruited intensity that makes Coonawarra Cabernet so distinctive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWinemaking\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the winery, Founder’s Block is made to showcase fruit rather than bury it beneath excessive oak or winemaking intervention. Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented to extract colour, flavour and structure, before maturation in a combination of French and American oak adds spice, savoury complexity and a gentle framework of tannin. The result is not a heavyweight Cabernet trying to impress by sheer muscle. It is a more polished proposition: ripe, balanced and immediately inviting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0553\/1844\/6114\/files\/katnook-estate-founders-block-cabernet-sauvignon-750ml-wine-katnook-estate-alcohol-delivery_copy.png?v=1787324293\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTasting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the glass, expect classic Coonawarra aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and dark plum, alongside hints of mint, cedar, subtle spice and chocolatey oak. The palate is rich without becoming heavy, with juicy cassis and dark berry flavours supported by fine, textured tannins and a refreshing line of acidity. There is a pleasing savoury edge as the wine opens, giving it greater depth and keeping the finish lively. It is the kind of Cabernet that can be enjoyed young, yet has enough structure to reward a little patience in the cellar.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAwards and Accolades\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFounder’s Block has also attracted plenty of attention beyond the cellar door. Previous vintages have collected medals at major international competitions, including a Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge for the 2015 vintage, while the 2014 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast. Earlier vintages have also received strong critical reviews, reinforcing the wine’s reputation for delivering classic Coonawarra Cabernet character at an accessible level.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd that is perhaps the real charm of Founder’s Block. It carries the history, soil and Cabernet expertise of one of Coonawarra’s most respected estates, but it does not demand ceremony. This is Cabernet with pedigree that still remembers the pleasure of simply opening a bottle, pouring a glass and settling in for the evening. It is polished rather than showy, confident rather than complicated — a thoroughly Australian expression of Cabernet Sauvignon with Coonawarra written all over it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Katnook Estate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54619236270426,"sku":null,"price":23.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0553\/1844\/6114\/files\/katnook-estate-founders-block-cabernet-sauvignon-750ml-wine-katnook-estate-alcohol-delivery.webp?v=1787324015"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0553\/1844\/6114\/collections\/Katnook_Estate_Cellar_Door_3440x_63f17e72-e86b-473e-a7fc-b391df951f55.webp?v=1787320952","url":"https:\/\/www.theaustralianwinecompany.com\/collections\/katnook-estate-wines.oembed","provider":"The Australian Wine Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}