The Coonawarra community has gathered at the famous railway siding to celebrate the start of vintage – marking 130 years since the first vintage was commissioned by the region’s founding father, John Riddoch.
Historian and great grandson of Riddoch, Peter Rymill, reflected on the circumstances surrounding that first vintage 130 years ago, citing an article published in The Border Watch on 30 March 1895.
The article quotes John Riddoch: “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. 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.”
Peter’s address was followed by the echo of bagpipes, a nod to his great grandfather, a proud Scotsman, performed by Neil McLean.
Coonawarra Vignerons’ executive officer Hugh Koch emphasised the importance of vintage not only to the Coonawarra community, but for the national economy.
“Vintage in Coonawarra is more than when a wine’s grapes are harvested,” he said.
“It heralds the anniversary of a new year in Coonawarra where we reflect and say goodbye to the previous season.
“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.”
Patrons Sue Hodder and Bruce Redman marked the occasion by smashing a bottle of Coonawarra wine 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,” Hugh 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 (V25) 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.”
Photo: Simon Spedding, Greg Clayfield, Teri van Aalst, Nicole Croser and Doug Bowen.
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