Vineyards

The Bordertown district is warm and the most continental of the sub-regions within the Limestone Coast. The land is gently undulating, punctuated by large stands of eucalyptus trees.

Penfolds has developed vineyards in Bordertown close to the South Australia and Victoria border. The region was first settled in the early 1850s following the establishment of Alexander Tolmer's Gold Escort base camp on the banks of the Tatiara Creek. Bordertown was located on the major supply route between the Victorian goldfields and Adelaide. The Bordertown district is warm and has the most continental climate of the sub-regions within the Limestone Coast. The land is gently undulating, punctuated by large stands of eucalyptus trees. Penfolds has been sourcing fruit from Bordertown for over ten years. Impressed by the sheer quality of the fruit (the Cabernet has been selected for Bin 707), Penfolds recently planted its own 180 hectare vineyard and believes that the Bordertown Vineyard will make a significant contribution to Penfolds reds in coming years.

Penfolds also draws premium fruit from over 400 hectares of vineyards planted in the moderate-warm region of Padthaway. With a patchwork of soils from deep yellow duplex to red loams over limestone subsoils reminiscent of those found in Coonawarra, the region is regarded as prime viticultural ground. The Penfolds vineyards date back over 35 years, consistently contributing to wines across the portfolio. Cabernet Sauvignon is frequently used in Bins 707, 407 and 389, as well as Shiraz in Bin 389 and occasionally Grange. Penfolds' Robe Vineyards are located close to the Southern Ocean and benefit from its moderating influence. These relatively young vineyards, planted during the mid 1990s on weathered limestone terra rossa soils, are producing fruit of excellent definition and palate structure.The Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz are more refined than Coonawarra fruit, but both have masses of sweet fruit and depth.

The Robe region is centred around the small townships of Robe and Beachport. Penfolds' Robe Vineyard is located on the eastern slopes of the relatively low lying Woakwine Ranges. Protected from the prevailing winds, the maritime climate is marginally warmer in spring than in Coonawarra, whilst summers are slightly cooler. The vineyard is well drained, but also benefits from an artesian basin - a plentiful source of ground water. The overall standard of fruit quality is extremely high, with the highly aromatic Shiraz, for instance, used as a top note in the Bin 389 blend.