The Big Picture

Mount Benson has six active cellar door operations and three wineries, which support the significant tourism industry in nearby Robe and Kingston. The Cape Jaffa and Ralph Fowler brands are widely distributed in Australia and have developed major export markets.  Chapoutier and Cellarmaster wines (Black Wattle Vineyards) also have significant investments in the region.

A significant development was the establishment of the Kreglinger Australia Mount Benson winery of 5000 tonne (4921 ton) capacity together with a 162-hectare (400-acre) vineyard planted to Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc.

Mount Benson Wine Region

Climate

Strongly influenced by the Southern Ocean, the climate in Mount Benson is unequivocally cool and maritime.  Summer temperatures can be three degrees cooler than the nearby Coonawarra region, and though budburst occurs two weeks earlier, harvest is about the same time or slightly later.

Soil

Irrigation is provided by high quality ground water, which exists in abundance in the underlying limestone.

Wines

Chardonnay: Surprisingly, in an age when Chardonnay is king, it has been overtaken in Mount Benson by Sauvignon Blanc. Chardonnay here is slightly finer and more elegant than that of either Padthaway or Coonawarra and has an excellent intensity.

Sauvignon Blanc: These crisp, grassy, herbaceous wines are very different from the far richer examples of Padthaway, reflecting the distinctly warmer climate of Mount Benson, with attractive touches of gooseberry and passionfruit.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot: Recent vintages confirm early promise. These wines avoid any herbaceous suggestion and are more Bordeaux-like than those of Coonawarra. Natural tannin levels are good, and the overall extract and weight are more than satisfactory. To date, Mount Benson’s Cabernet styles have won a number of trophies and gold medals.

Shiraz: The status of Shiraz in the region has been boosted by the Chapoutier investment. The wine quality and style is exciting, with cherry, black pepper and spice flavours in a medium-bodied frame lending itself to the use of French oak. Other winemakers, well experienced with Shiraz, are also adding a small quantity of Viognier to enhance the suppleness and style.

Viognier: Initial plantings of Viognier are proving extremely successful.

Vital Statistics