Collection: BOWEN ESTATE

Bowen Estate is a family-run business, not far off its 50th vintage. Regional veteran Doug Bowen presides over one of Coonawarra’s landmarks, but he has handed over full winemaking responsibility to daughter Emma, ‘retiring’ to the position of viticulturist. They produce just 3 wines: a chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and a shiraz. -JAMES HALLIDAY

"Much of our philosophy for the style of wine that we like to produce begins with the vineyard. Firstly, the location of our vineyard is on the traditional prime terra rossa soil of Coonawarra. This is of the utmost importance to us. Secondly, we have a very strong belief in the traditional hand pruning of our vines, combined with an arch cane trellis system. This improves the evenness of budburst, bunch exposure and ripeness, but more importantly, this method of pruning ensures that we have a balanced vine. Therefore the vine will produce fruit of optimum quality. It is this optimum fruit that makes our bench mark wines which reflect the true characteristics of Coonawarra - strong varietal aromas, big flavours and soft balanced tannins."