Our Summer in Review: What the Koonara Team Got Up To
Well, we’ve almost officially made it through another cracker of a summer here in South Australia! 🌞
As we prepare to ease into the cooler months (because it will happen eventually, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now), we thought it’d be fun to share what the Koonara team actually got up to over the past few months.
From the drinks that kept us cool to the books we couldn’t put down, the playlists on high rotation and the quality time we managed to carve out, here’s our summer wrap-up.
We hope it gives you some inspiration for squeezing the last drops out of summer, or at the very least, a few good recommendations for your reading and drinking list before the year really gets going!
NICOLE’s Summer wrap-up
- DRANK: A lot of Song for Alice Riesling, it’s so crisp, zesty and refreshing, perfect for hot summer days, afternoon nibbles, platters and fresh seafood.
- READ: Gone Before Goodbye, I gave it to Jen for Christmas but had to get a copy for myself because I couldn’t wait to read it.
- LISTENED TO: Whatever Dru and Lucy had control of (so not much say there).
- GOT UP TO: We ventured to the Gold Coast for Christmas with the Gilbert side of the family. There walks to Surfers Paradise, a relaxing afternoon at the Bath Soakhouse (courtesy of the wonderful team), fun at Movie World and a gorgeous Christmas Day. Then it was back to Coonawarra with a mix of Robe thrown in: quality time with the Reschke side of the family, clifftop walks, swims at Long Beach and lots of crayfish!
jen’s Summer wrap-up
- DRANK: I mixed it up with Lucy & Alice Pinot Gris and while in Western Australia, Gage Roads Single Fin Summer Ale and Gage Roads Pinky’s Sunset Apple Cider.
- READ: Gone Before Goodbye, it’s about a surgeon whose life is heading way off course after tragedy. A great read—couldn’t put it down.
- LISTENED TO: Midflight Brawl comedy podcast, Sports Bizarre podcast, and a fair bit of late ’90s/early 2000s playlists on rotation when I could commandeer it from my kids!
- GOT UP TO: Worked a bit, a quick trip to Fremantle for a wedding and plenty of quality family time.
Tash’s Summer wrap-up
- DRANK: All the things! Emily May Rosé was my go-to wine, which featured alongside many Espresso Martinis and a delicious Hazy Pale Ale from Holgate Brewing. Very tropical and very summery.
- READ: Loving my new Kobo e-reader from Santa and mixing it up with a few real books. I’ve read The Saint, The Stranger at the Table, I’d Rather Not, The Lost Book of Magic and I’m currently reading The Angry Woman’s Choir, which is brilliant! Well on my way to smashing some reading goals in 2026.
- LISTENED TO: Double J, but also a whole lot of Olivia Dean, Somber, and Taylor Swift on repeat (my 10-year-old is influencing me and I’m not even sad about it).
- GOT UP TO: A trip to Mount Gambier for the Summer Fiesta, before heading to Beachport for a few days and then finally Warrnambool before the school holidays finished.
caitlin’s Summer wrap-up
- DRANK: Espresso Martinis for New Year’s with friends (in a Smartini, of course) and Flowers for Lucy Moscato because at 7% alcohol, it’s the perfect mum-friendly option when you want bubbles without the next-day regrets.
- READ: If I’m honest, no reading was enjoyed over the break. I guess that’s a perk of having young children who want to be doing things that don’t involve relaxing.
- LISTENED TO: I don’t get a lot of choice, so it’s been K-Pop, Demon Hunters and Christmas Carols, pretty much the musical taste of a 3.5-year-old.
- GOT UP TO: Summer holidays were filled with family walks in the sunshine, trips to the beach, catching up with family and friends, and having a few home days to recharge.
KATE’s Summer wrap-up
- DRANK: All the refreshing things, which involves a whole lot of gin and Sauv Blanc.
- READ: Light summer reads that didn’t require too much brain power.
- LISTENED TO: Acoustic Throwbacks, Feel Good Happy Mix, and re-listening to Best Version of You podcasts on Spotify.
- GOT UP TO: Haven’t really been up to much this far into the holidays, but it’s been fabulous to slow down and spend some time with family and friends. My favourite furchild Rooey has been accompanying me on morning walks.
AMANDA’s Summer wrap-up
- DRANK: Guardian Angel Sparkling Chardonnay, because summer and bubbles just go together.
- READ: Light-hearted reads for summer, nothing too heavy. I’m saving that for winter, a fire and a glass of Ambriel’s Gift.
- LISTENED TO: Old-school Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Whitney Houston and Fleetwood Mac. Just good girl vibes all summer long.
- GOT UP TO: A few days at Blanchetown waterskiing, then three weeks at our house in Beachport. I also had a cleansing cleanout of my wardrobe and finally said goodbye to things that don’t fit or are out of fashion, making way for new sustainable pieces I’ll find on my travels.
