Home of coastal cool
Lush with parklands, sparkling with waterways and endowed with mild weather year-round, the budding Shoalhaven Coast wine region is a haven of natural beauty and opportunities to indulge. It’s a strip of land that runs down the New South Wales South Coast, edged by beaches on one side and forests and rolling farmland on the other. You’ll find the region’s bustling wineries and vineyards nestled into vivid green countryside with more than 15 cellar doors – all just a two-hour drive from Sydney.
Much of the region’s energy and experimental spirit comes from its youth. Its wineries were established from the 1970s, although the first grapes were planted much earlier, and an influx of tourists and wine lovers has helped build a thriving wine community – and made Shoalhaven Coast a must-visit for those keen to explore another side to Australian wine.
Varieties with more variety
While you’ll find classic wines like Chardonnay and Shiraz here, you can also expect to discover something a bit different. One of the region’s hero varieties is Chambourcin, a red hybrid variety of French origin, which thrives in the warmer coastal climate and makes vibrant purple-red wines with cherry and plum flavours. Lighter in style than reds like Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s perfect for sipping on warm summer days. Semillon is another star wine to experience on the Shoalhaven Coast. Its bright, citrusy personality makes it an ideal match with the region’s famous oysters.
Recent years have seen a rush of alternative varieties planted throughout vineyards and crafted in wineries, and they make for an exciting cellar door experience. Keep an eye out for lesser-known wines such as Verdelho, Arneis, Viognier, Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Tannat.
High on many visitors’ lists is a stopover at Coolangatta Estate, the region’s biggest winery and one of its most beautiful. Just 1 kilometre from the ocean, it’s named after the ancient Mount Coolangatta and set in an old convict village built by European settlers in 1822. Today this historic site is home to immaculate vineyards, a restaurant and accommodation and an intimate cellar door.
Coolangatta Estate’s vineyards yield some of the region’s best wines, reflected in the winery’s more than 2,000 awards. Many of these are for their outstanding Semillon. Also well worth exploring are their more experimental drops, including Savagnin, Tannat and Chambourcin.
Another Shoalhaven Coast winery venturing down the road less travelled is Cupitt’s Wines. Popular for its historic stone cellar door, restaurant, brewery and fromagerie – you can’t accuse the Cupitt family of being lazy – it’s also making a name for its innovative wines. Made with grapes grown onsite and in surrounding regions, they include Arneis, a Marsanne Viognier blend, Barbera and Nebbiolo. Rosie and Griff Cuppitt established the property in 2003, and these days their sons Wally and Tom are also involved in the multifaceted business.
Long lunches and wine-trail vistas
With so much on offer in this scenic wine region, you won’t be short of things to do. Sip your way along the Shoalhaven Coast wine trail as it meanders through verdant valleys and take in views of powdery white beaches. Chat to winemakers in their boutique cellar doors.
A visit to the region will almost certainly include a taste of local produce – from artisanal products at farmers markets to locally caught seafood in acclaimed restaurants. In June, the Shoalhaven Coast Winter Wine Festival attracts visitors for its winemaker dinners, long lunches and live music. The well-known Australian spirit of innovation and experimentation is alive and well in this burgeoning seaside wine region.
