Collection: PARKER COONAWARRA ESTATE

Parker Coonawarra Estate is at the southern end of Coonawarra, on rich terra rossa soil over limestone. Cabernet sauvignon is the dominant variety (17.45ha), with minor plantings of merlot and petit verdot. It is now part of WD Wines, which also owns Hesketh Wine Company, St John’s Road, Vickery Wines and Ox Hardy. Production has risen substantially since the change of ownership. Exports to all major markets. -JAMES HALLIDAY

In the mid 1980's, with help and advice from long-time friend Doug Balnaves, John and Faye Parker identified the best locations on Coonawarra's Terra Rossa strip, which resulted in the purchase of land from the Abbey family, just north of the Penola township. In 1985, John and Faye Parker planted their first vines, using the Reynella Selection cuttings of Cabernet Sauvignon - the original cuttings from Bordeaux, sourced before Phylloxera decimated the vineyards in France in the late 1800's. The winery's first release, the 1988 vintage First Growth, was met with outstanding success winning the Penfold Hyland Trophy in Perth. It was also judged the 6th highest rated Bordeaux-Style in the 1991 International Challenge in London. This award was pivotal and firmly established Parker Coonawarra Estate's reputation for producing wines of outstanding quality and longevity. The Hesketh family assumed custodianship of Parker Coonawarra Estate from the Rathbone Wine Group in early 2013. With over fifty years' experience in the wine industry, their philosophy is to retain John Parker's vision for the Estate, focusing on the core elements that make Parker Estate superior - the most appropriate grape varieties and clones, grown on the right soil profile in the best locations within Coonawarra, to make the best possible wines from this exceptional growing region. For over a quarter of a century, Parker Estate has achieved numerous wine show medals, trophies and accolades, including a 5 Star rating by James Halliday, Langton's Classification V for Excellence, and many high rating reviews by major wine media both within Australia and internationally.