our history at a glance
Since 1906 | Fourth-Generation Family Winery | Coonawarra, South Australia | 🍃 Coonawarra’s only Certified Organic Vineyard (since 2017)
Making wine since 1988 | 18 wines including 5 premium lines | Current owners: Dru & Nicole Reschke | Vegan-friendly | Low sulphur | Age-worthy wines
where it all began
In 1906, Henry Albert and Alice Jane Reschke arrived in Coonawarra with a dream and determination to build something lasting for their family.
They established a cattle stud on a sprawling property they named “Koonara” – a name that would become synonymous with quality winemaking over a century later.
Today, more than 115 years on, the Reschke family still calls Coonawarra home.
Cattle still graze the land, but since 1988, vineyards and winemaking have become the family’s true passion.
the wine adventure begins
Trevor Reschke – Dru’s father and third-generation custodian of the property – was a man of many talents.
An accomplished clay target shooter who competed for Australia internationally (he famously missed selection for the Tokyo Olympics pistol shooting event by a single point),
Trevor also pioneered a unique cattle breeding program that agricultural colleges still visit to study today.
But it was his weekend hobby that changed everything.
In 1988, Trevor planted the first vines on the home block. Not for commercial reasons – he simply wanted to “play around with my own wine one day.” By 1992, he was getting 30 cases made each year at a friend’s winery, wines shared only with family and friends.
Then in 1997, something extraordinary happened. Stan Gawel, a Melbourne distributor and good friend, convinced Trevor to let him make some wine from the grapes.
Those wines were bottled in half bottles, shipped to England, and promptly snapped up by none other than Andrew Lloyd Webber, who purchased 90% of the shipment.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Koonara today
Fast forward to today, and Dru and Nicole Reschke have taken the reins of this fourth-generation family winery, bringing their own vision while honouring the foundation laid by generations before them.
Under their stewardship, Koonara has evolved from Trevor’s weekend hobby into one of Coonawarra’s most respected boutique wineries.
Koonara is also the region’s only certified organic vineyard, a distinction achieved in 2017 that Dru and Nicole are incredibly proud of.
Every decision at Koonara is guided by a simple philosophy: quality over quantity, sustainability over shortcuts, and authenticity above all else.
The vineyards are naturally kept at an average of 2 tonnes or less per acre, ensuring concentration and flavour intensity in every bottle.
All Koonara wines are vegan-friendly, low in sulphur (no headache-inducing additives here), and have zero or low residual sugar – making them not just delicious, but kind to your body too.
Why Coonawarra?
Coonawarra is a small, prestigious wine region in South Australia’s Limestone Coast, world-renowned for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and cool-climate spicy Shiraz.
As legendary wine authority Len Evans wrote in The Complete Book of Australian Wine: “Most wine authorities acknowledge that Coonawarra is Australia’s greatest red wine district and one of the producers of great reds of the world.”
The secret? Coonawarra’s famous terra rossa soil – a unique strip of iron-rich red soil over limestone bedrock that’s only 15 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide.
This rare terroir, combined with a climate remarkably similar to Bordeaux but with more sunshine and controlled irrigation, creates wines of exceptional depth and age-worthiness.
Where Bordeaux relies on nature’s whims, Coonawarra’s reliable underground water supply gives winemakers like Dru precise control over flavour development and grape intensity.
The result? Wines that rival the world’s best.
what makes Koonara different?
Coonawarra’s Only Certified Organic Vineyard
Since 2017, Koonara has held the distinction of being the only certified organic vineyard in the Coonawarra wine region.
This isn’t just a label – it’s a commitment to farming practices that regenerate the soil, protect the environment, and produce grapes with exceptional purity and flavour.
Four Generations of Local Knowledge
The Reschke family has lived and farmed in Coonawarra for over 115 years. That’s more than a century of understanding this land’s moods, quirks, and potential.
You can’t buy that kind of knowledge – it’s earned through generations.
Low-Intervention Winemaking
All Koonara wines are vegan-friendly, low in sulphur (below organic certification levels), and contain zero or low residual sugar.
For wine lovers with sulphite sensitivities or those following keto lifestyles, Koonara wines offer a headache-free, guilt-free drinking experience.
Age-Worthy Investment Wines
Koonara wines aren’t made to drink tomorrow. They’re crafted with patience and precision to cellar beautifully for years, even decades. Quality is paramount; every vintage must not only be good but also consistent and worthy of your cellar.
the koonara journey – over the years.
1906
Henry Albert & Alice Reschke arrive in Coonawarra
1988
Trevor Reschke begins “playing around” with winemaking
1992
Koonara Wines produces its first case of wine
1997
2 tonnes were made into wine by our Melbourne distributor and sold entirely into the UK market, of which Andrew Lloyd Webber brought 90% of it
1998
Koonara produces 500 dozen wines per year
2001
Started national distribution of Koonara Wines
2005
Opened the Cellar door at 44 Church Street Penola
2007
Opened a Cellar Door in Apollo Bay Victoria
2010
Koonara increases the range to 10 wines
2011
Opened a Cellar Door in Robe, SA. Loaves and Fishes is a similar store to our Cellar Door in Penola.
2017
Koonara becomes the only certified organic vineyard in Coonawarra
2020
Experienced great support from our loyal followers in the global pandemic where hospitality shut down
2020
Created our first blend, Angels Wings Cab Shiraz
2022
Celebrated 30 years of making wine
Koonara Wines now range 18 different wines including 5 premium lines.
the philosophy
We are very proud of our wines and hope you enjoy them.
At Koonara, we believe wine should be three things: delicious, age-worthy, and kind to your body. We don’t cut corners, we don’t chase trends, and we don’t compromise quality for quantity.
Every bottle tells the story of four generations of family, a century of connection to this remarkable land, and an unwavering commitment to doing things the right way – even when it’s the harder way.
From our family to yours, cheers to good wine and great times.
Dru & Nicole Reschke
Fourth-Generation Custodians, Koonara Wines
Frequently Asked Questions
who owns Koonara Wines?
Dru and Nicole Reschke are the current owners of Koonara Wines. They represent the fourth generation of the Reschke family to farm this land since 1906, and they’ve been leading the winery’s evolution since taking over from Dru’s father, Trevor.
how many generations has Koonara been in the Reschke family?
Four generations and counting! Henry and Alice Reschke arrived in 1906, and today Dru and Nicole Reschke continue the family legacy. The family has lived in Coonawarra for over 115 years.
when did Koonara become a certified organic vineyard?
Koonara achieved certified organic status in 2017. We’re incredibly proud to be the only certified organic vineyard in the Coonawarra wine region.
why is Koonara the only certified organic vineyard in Coonawarra?
Achieving organic certification is a significant commitment that takes years of dedication to soil health, biodiversity, and chemical-free farming practices. While many Coonawarra producers use sustainable practices, Koonara is currently the only vineyard in the region to have pursued and achieved full organic certification – a testament to Dru and Nicole’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
does Koonara still run cattle?
Yes! While wine is now the primary focus, cattle still graze parts of the property, maintaining the agricultural heritage that Henry and Alice established in 1906.
what does it mean that Koonara is a “family winery”?
It means real family members, not corporate shareholders make every decision about the land, the vines, and the wines. Dru and Nicole live on the property, walk the vineyards, and personally oversee winemaking. This isn’t a hobby or an investment; it’s their life’s work and their family’s legacy.
can I visit Koonara?
Absolutely! Our Cellar Door is located at 44 Church Street, Penola. You can taste our wines, hear the family stories firsthand, and experience the warmth of genuine Coonawarra hospitality.