Katnook Estate

Katnook Estate has a unique heritage. In 1861 a Scottish immigrant, John Riddoch, arrived at Penola in South Australia, prosperous from years of operating a trading post in the goldfields. Riddoch purchased vast parcels of land and over the years was impressed with the remarkable rate of growth of fruit trees and vines in the areas of soil with a distinctive red colour. He began buying land at 'Katnook' a nearby property to his own which had similar rich red soil. (The name 'Katnook' is aboriginal for fat land, denoting the rich fertile character of the country.) Determined to encourage closer settlement in the southeast, in 1890 Riddoch formed the Coonawarra Fruit Colony, set up its administration headquarters at 'Katnook' and sold off the land in 10 acre blocks. It was here at 'Katnook' that Coonawarra was born.<br>In 1967 the Yunghanns family purchased 'Katnook' and in 1969 planted their first vines. The family renamed the property 'Katnook Estate' and formed the Coonawarra Machinery Company (now known as Wingara Wine Group). In 1980 production of wine under both the Riddoch and Katnook Estate labels commenced in the 'Katnook' woolshed just as John Riddoch had done 84 years earlier.

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