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Owned by the Rathbone Family Wine Group, Parker Coonawarra Estate was established in 1985 as a joint venture of three men - Parker (of Hungerford Hill), Fowler (winemaker at Leconfield) and Balnaves (viticulturist). The three realized that the rich Terra Rossa soil over limestone of Coonawarra would be perfect for growing Cabernet Sauvignon as the predominant variety, with minor plantings of Merlot and Petit Verdot. The aim was to make from small quantities of grapes, the best-ever Bordeaux-style wine of Australia.
The estate is situated in the heart of Coonawarra and the 20ha of vineyards are planted in prime Terra Rossa soil. Around 100 tonnes of grapes are crushed, consisting of 18ha of Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5ha of Merlot and 0.5ha of Petit Verdot.
In 1991, a three-year-old wine, the 1988 "Terra Rossa First Growth", was entered into the International Challenge in London and it took the 6th place in the title of highest-rated Bordeaux-style wines.
Today, Doug and Peter Balnaves are the viticulturists and Peter Bissell is the winemaker at Parker Coonawarra Estate. Bissell was recognized as the ‘Qantas Australian Winemaker of the Year' in 2005. He continues the tradition of the founders in his philosophy for ‘an uncompromising commitment to quality producing fine wines from the Terra Rossa soils of Coonawarra’
Every year, small quantities of the best fruit are selected for the Terra Rossa First Growth. If in any one year the grapes do not reach the high standard set, then no Terra Rossa First Growth is released, (as was the case in 1992, 1995, 1997, 2002 & 2003), but instead, the wine will be called Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon.
2000 was the last vintage before Parker passed away. |
