Not every great vintage announces itself loudly. The 2026 Coonawarra season crept in on cool mornings and mild afternoons, shaped by a slow spring awakening and a summer that never rushed. What it lacked in heat, it more than made up for in character.
An extended ripening period stretched well into autumn, giving the vines time to develop the kind of flavour complexity and tannin structure that Coonawarra's best reds are revered for. Then, as if the season knew exactly what it was doing, a timely burst of warm weather arrived in late April — the perfect closing act, sealing full fruit maturity across the board.
The Reds — Cabernet at Its Purest
Cabernet Sauvignon is the clear standout of 2026. The cool, unhurried season drew out every dimension of the variety — intense varietal character, an elegance to the tannin structure, and a purity of fruit that speaks directly to Coonawarra's famous terra rossa soils.
In style, 2026 sits comfortably alongside some of the region's most celebrated medium-bodied Cabernet years: 2002, 2006, and 2012. If you know and love those vintages, 2026 will feel like a welcome return to form — wines built for the cellar, but already showing beautifully in their youth.
The Whites — Lifted, Precise & Beautifully Balanced
The cooler conditions proved equally kind to the whites. Excellent natural acidity runs through every glass, giving these wines freshness and drive. Aromatics are lifted and expressive, while the overall profile is one of refinement and balance. These are whites that reward those who appreciate precision over power — wines with genuine personality and length.
Introducing: The Early Release Two Blocks Riesling 2026
We're proud to present one of the very first 2026 wines to be released anywhere in Australia.
Our Two Blocks Riesling was bottled in mid-May, and it's already showing everything we hoped it would be. The cool, extended season has been extraordinarily generous to Riesling — what's in the glass is vivid, precise, and alive. Lifted citrus aromatics, natural acidity with real drive, and a long, refined finish. This is a wine that captures the spirit of the 2026 vintage in its purest form.
We've worked hard to get it into bottle and into your hands quickly — because wines like this deserve to be enjoyed at their most vibrant.
The 2026 Two Blocks Riesling is available now — one of the first releases of the vintage in the country. Try it while it's at its freshest.