EVENTS
Coonawarra celebrates
Story and photos Trish Harty
The
people of Penola in South Australia breathed a sigh of relief when Coonawarra
Cup day dawned on a crisp, mild morning in January.
In previous years the race day has been "unbearably hot" according to Karen Ronning from the Coonawarra Vignerons Association, major sponsor of the annual race.
For this is a race meeting especially for the area's many winegrowers to kick up their heels before the hard work of harvest from February to April.
The
Coonawarra wine region is a small stretch within the Limestone Coast in the
southern-most tip of South Australia. It is home to 28 wineries and winegrowers,
and best known for producing outstanding cabernet sauvignon.
This year a record crowd of 1700 people attended the Coonawarra Cup
from around Australia, including 700 people from the wine industry and their
guests. All were on hand to cheer Coonawarra Cup winner Magic Ben, and to
join in the heated bidding for 25 imperial bottles of wine (6.75 litres each)
that were auctioned for charity. "The Coonawarra Cup is now recognised as one of South Australia's best country
race meetings," says Doug Bowen, chairman of the Coonawarra Cup organising committee. "We are also pleased that we are able to support our local community with funds
raised from the events each year." 
More photos: OUTBACK April/May 2003
-
And to see what's coming up, try our OUTBACK events calendar.
