Unearthing Coonawarra Cabernet

Owner and winemaker for family business Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards in McLaren Vale, the sixth generation to farm the same land. Corrina also owns craft beer business Swell Brewing Co and a vineyard with her husband. Corrina sits on a number of wine industry boards including the Australian Wine Research Institute and is very active in the wine judging, alternative varietal and diversity spaces. She was the ASVO Winemaker of the Year in 2019.

Bruce's dedication to Coonawarra has seen him residing in the district for more than thirty years. For the past 22 years, he has been the winemaker for Majella Wines and has refined and highlighted the distinctive wine style that has made Majella Wines successful. Through Bruce's fastidious winemaking, Majella has had exceptional wine show success, winning local, national, and international trophies and awards, including the prestigious International Wine Challenge, winning the Best Australian Red Wine and the International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy in 2008. Before moving to Coonawarra, Bruce spent his formative years in the Barossa Valley, commencing his career within the wine industry with stints at Peter Lehmann, Woodley and Penfolds Wines working in various capacities within those wineries, then advancing to Kies Estate as an Assistant Winemaker. Then, moving to Coonawarra to take up the winemaker position for Brands Laira Wines, Bruce met the Lynn brothers, owners of Majella, and was part of the first Majella vintage made in 1991 at the Laira winery.

Bruce is a keen supporter of the wine show system, is a founding committee member of the Limestone Coast Wine Show, and has judged at Barossa, Rutherglen, Limestone Coast & Stanthorpe Wine Shows.

After completing a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biochemistry at Monash University in 2012, Jacinta became immersed in the world of wine by working vintages in Coonawarra (Wynns Coonawarra Estate and Balnaves of Coonawarra), Hawke’s Bay (Craggy Range), the Mosel Valley (Dr Loosen) and the United States (Ch. St Michelle WA and Penner-Ash Wine Cellars OR). In 2016 Jacinta completed a Graduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Adelaide, and then worked two vintages as Assistant Winemaker at Pikes Wines in the Clare Valley. Jacinta then returned home to Coonawarra to work at Balnaves of Coonawarra as Assistant Winemaker. After two years working with Pete Bissell in the lead up to his retirement, Jacinta then stepped into the role of Winemaker in July 2020.

Bruce is a third-generation Coonawarra winemaker whose family has made wine in the region since 1908. He studied winemaking at Roseworthy Agricultural College, and in 1975 he graduated with a Roseworthy Diploma in Oenology. After completing vintages in Reynella, Barossa Valley and France, he returned to Coonawarra in 1981 as winemaker at Redman Wines, taking over from his father, Owen. Bruce has concentrated on producing handmade, high quality dry red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes. While Bruce still makes wine in the tradition of his father and grandfather, he has adapted some of the modern technology in viticulture and winemaking to refine the wines being produced today. Over his lifetime Bruce has watched the Coonawarra vineyard area expand from around 140 hectares to over 5,800 hectares. In his over 40 vintages in Coonawarra, he has experienced the great and the not-so-great seasons and which makes him well qualified to

discuss the region and its attributes.

Luke took on the role of Director and Winemaker of Patrick of Coonawarra in 2013. He graduated with a degree in Oenology from the University of Adelaide and had already completed vintages in the Barossa, Clare, and Sonoma (USA) valley before returning to Coonawarra. He carries on the legacy and tradition of the family business. He has already made his mark on the company by securing several trophies and medals and plenty of praise from customers. As part of the emerging generation of 'Young Gun' winemakers, Luke has demonstrated an ability to combine traditional wisdom with new-age trends, leading to a growing wave of consumer demand.