In The Vineyard
A Journey That Lasts All Year
The Coonawarra Wine Region
The grapes in Whistle Post wines are exclusively sourced from our two family-owned vineyards in the Coonawarra wine region in South Australia.
The vineyards of Coonawarra are planted upon a unique cigar-shaped ridge of “terra rossa” red top soil on a shallow, free-draining limestone rock base, ideal for growing vines. Beneath the limestone flows pure underground water, which coupled with long, cool ripening conditions, makes Coonawarra a world class wine producing region.
The soil type and topography of each vineyard provides ideal growing environments for producing premium grapes. We take these environment conditions and combine them with our viticultural management to produce grapes of distinct character and appeal that make our wines so sought after.
The Whistle Post Vineyards
V&A Lane Vineyard
Central Coonawarra
The Smibert V&A Lane vineyard in Central Coonawarra has 156 acres under vine and was first planed in 1987 with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. The Smibert family live here on the vineyard in the family homestead that was built in the late 1800s. Each variety has been matched to the growing conditions occurring across the vineyard with the vines expertly planted in small blocks to ensure each parcel of fruit from the slightest changes in soil type can be separated and harvested at its optimum.
McCrae Vineyard
Southern Coonawarrra
The McCrae Vineyard is our most recent vineyard addition and is located just 4km south of the V&A Lane vineyard on the prestigious Riddoch Highway, it is also the site of our Whistle Post Cellar Door . Acquired by the Smibert family in 2016 to provide an additional supply of outstanding fruit, the vineyard has an impressive history including winning Australia’s most coveted wine trophy the ‘Jimmy Watson’. Planted in 1985 with 42 acres under vine consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay