Historian and Yallum Park Homestead owner, Andy Clifford, presents grapes from vines planted on the property by John Riddoch in the 1890’s. Image courtesy Coonawarra Vignerons

The 2025 Coonawarra Vintage was declared open yesterday morning, with a crowd of over 80 people gathering at the iconic Coonawarra Siding to herald in the new season.

A crowd of more than 80 people gathered at the Coonawarra Siding yesterday, to herald in the 2025 vintage in Coonawarra.

The ceremony brought together community members from Coonawarra and surrounding districts, with wine industry stakeholders and dignitaries, to celebrate the significance of this year’s harvest in Coonawarra. The 2025 vintage marks a milestone of 130 years since the first vintage was commissioned by John Riddoch, Coonawarra’s founding father.

Author, historian and great grandson of Riddoch, Peter Rymill, reflected on the circumstances surrounding that very first vintage 130 years ago, sighting an article published in The Border Watch on the 30th March 1895.

“’The first fruits of the vines now growing at the Penola Fruit Colony have been gathered, and converted into what will, in the course of time, be the first wine, made in the district of Penola’,” read Rymill.

“’This interesting and auspicious event took place last week, the pressing having been done in the building, which Mr Riddoch has just had erected at his nursery, on Richardson Road, with the product being about eighteen hundred gallons.’”

Rymill added that Riddoch told a group of grapegrowers and visitors that: ‘This sample is all that could be desired at the present stage, and when mature, will be a wine of very high quality’.

Peter Rymill’s address was followed by a bagpipes performance by Neil McLean, a nod to Rymill’s great grandfather a proud Scotsman.

Coonawarra Vignerons’ executive officer Hugh Koch emphasised the importance of vintage to the Coonawarra community, and for the national economy more broadly.

“Vintage in Coonawarra is more than when a wine’s grapes are harvested. It heralds the anniversary of a new year in Coonawarra, where we reflect and say goodbye to the previous season,” said Koch.

“As a community it is the commencement of the economic driver that sustains our economy, creates our jobs, gives us our services, drives our visitation, and continues to put us on the map as one of the most pre-eminent wine regions of the world.”

“A new vintage also allows us to reflect on our past years, the people that have laboured and led the development of Coonawarra” added Koch.

Taking centre stage on the Coonawarra Siding Platform was Wattle Range Council Community development manager Nicole Croser, wine media cadet from Wine Communicators Australia (WCA) Teri van Aalst, and UK tourist Simon Spedding, who kicked off their shoes to take part in a traditional grape stomp on the Coonawarra Siding Platform.

Patrons Sue Hodder and Bruce Redman marked the occasion by smashing a bottle of Coonawarra Wine (the previous year’s vintage) to symbolise the conclusion of the 2024 season, and to christen the new vintage.

“Traditionally a wine bottle is broken over a ship’s hull before its maiden voyage and to wish it good luck for a successful journey,” Koch said.

“It is only appropriate that we adapt that tradition by creating one of our own, to symbolise the christening of the 2025 vintage and to wish our producers well, in that the conditions and circumstances be the very best to allow Coonawarra ‘smooth sailing’ in harvesting and crafting the most premium wines possible.”

Simon Meares, Limestone Coast touring specialist at Coonawarra Experiences, praised the organisers on the event, and the opportunity to have one of his tour guests join in the grape stomp.

“What a tremendous event not only for the Coonawarra Community, but for the visitors amongst us who were fortunate enough to be here to witness this celebration and to participate. Our UK tour guests, the Speddings, are certainly never going to forget this remarkable experience, a sure highlight of their Australian trip,” said Meares.

Aldinga-based WCA media cadet, Teri van Aalst also sang the praises of the ceremony.

“It was very special to be a part of this celebration and to experience the of spirit of this community. The atmosphere, combined with the bagpipes was just priceless. I wish all the growers, producers and winemakers well for this season,” van Aalst remarked.

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