Balnaves of Coonawarra
A family owned wine company in the heart of the Coonawarra Terra Rossa strip Learn moreAbout Balnaves of Coonawarra
A vineyard on a never ending quest to produce the best wines
VinAccessGlobal has been working with Balnaves of Coonawarra since the company was founded in 2019. Balnaves are a family-owned company with a history in Coonawarra that dates back to the original settlement of the area in 1855.
The vineyards, situated towards the southern end of the Terra Rossa strip on the Riddoch Highway, were first planted by Doug Balnaves in 1974. The company is now managed by Doug’s two children Kirsty and Pete and the winemaker is Jacinta Evans.
Coonawarra is the original home of classic Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia. Balnaves reliably produces some of the areas top wines and has been rated a James Halliday Five Star winery every year. The top wine, The Tally, a reference to the number of sheep shorn in a day, is consistently rated one of Australia’s very best Cabernets.
Balnaves wines are now found in several markets across Asia including Singapore and Vietnam with ongoing discussions in Thailand and New Zealand.
Balnaves of Coonawarra is thrilled to announce that Jacinta Jenkins, Senior Winemaker, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Halliday Winemaker of the Year Award for 2025.
This nomination highlights Jacinta’s exceptional skills in winemaking and is recognition of the Balnaves team’s ongoing commitment to grape growing and winemaking from their vineyards at the southern end of the famous Coonawarra strip.
Vineyard first planted
1974
Partners since
2019
Featured Wine
The Tally
Balnaves of Coonawarra Wines
Alison Harvey visited Balnaves in October 2022 and tasted the range with Kirsty and Jacinta.
The Blend 2018
The actual blend may change year to year but is mostly Cabernet Merlot. Attractive spicey fruits on the nose – hints of mint and Christmas cake. The mouthfeel is generous and gentle with black berry fruit flavours and lots of dark chocolate. Delicious and long on the finish.
Shiraz 2019
Inky opaque colour and black fruits on the nose. In the mouth plenty of ripe brambly fruits, savoury notes and some mocha. The mouthfeel has a velvety enveloping texture. Very attractive and again a long finish.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Lovely perfumed nose with bags of cassis and mint. On the palate there is evident ripe fruit and lots of bittersweet notes redolent of dark chocolate. The minty freshness is very apparent in the mouth and complements the powerful flavour of intense cassis fruit. Long finish.
The Tally 2018
Massive complex and intense wine. On the nose Christmas cake, dark fruits, spice and toasted nuts. The palate coats the mouth with velvety texture and silky tannins. Flavours of dark fruit evolve into bitter chocolate and mocha flavours. Spices like cardamom develop in the mouth and linger on the finish. Powerful wine with long lingering finish.
Supporting Balnaves of Coonawarra
VinAccessGlobal Partners since 2019
A few words from Alison, VinAccessGlobal Founder
“I have been selling wines from Coonawarra for decades. No Australian portfolio is complete without a Cabernet from Coonawarra, a relatively cool region due to the influence of cooling breezes from the Southern Ocean. Next stop Antartica! Balnaves are delightful people who produce delightful wines, and I am very proud to represent them in our markets.“
A few words from Kirsty Balnaves, Business Manager at Balnaves of Coonawarra
“It has been our pleasure to work with Alison and the team at VinAccess Global. Alison’s understanding of Asian markets and her dedication to showcasing our wines in these markets has been greatly valued. As a family-owned winery in Coonawarra, we take pride in our craft and our wines, and VinAccess Global has consistently upheld these standards in their representation.
Alison’s understanding of the Australian wine industry, her understanding of the markets her company works in and extensive networks have been instrumental in expanding our reach beyond Australia.
We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with VinAccess Global and furthering our shared goal of bringing Balnaves of Coonawarra wines to wine enthusiasts.“
