News
Katnook Gala Nights at the Opera. March 2016
Katnook is proud to offer its customers an exclusive opportunity to meet the stars of Opera Australia's "Pearlfishers" as part of our annual VIP Gala Nights at the Opera series. In 2016, join us in Sydney on March 3rd or Melbourne on May 26th.
THe evening includes A reserve seating, a program, VIP interval drinks at which Katnook new releases will be served plus the post performance private meeting wiht the stars. See our events tab for more details and how to book. Places are strictly limited.
Katnook welcomes new Senior Winemaker
Katnook Coonawarra is delighted to announce the appointment of new Senior Winemaker, Tim Heath, who will start in the role on July 2nd 2018.
Tim has been the Senior Winemaker at one of the world’s most successful wineries, Cloudy Bay Vineyards, New Zealand, where he pursued his craft for the last fourteen years. During this time, Tim was responsible for all facets of crafting Cloudy Bay’s internationally renowned wine styles, as well as overseeing winery infrastructure and expansion. Tim has extensive experience promoting wine and liaising with key opinion leaders in national and international markets.
Prior to Tim’s move to Cloudy Bay, he was Winemaker at Mountadam in the Barossa Valley, during which time he assisted with vintage at Cave de Tain-l'Hermitage, Northern Rhone, France. Tim has visited most major French, Spanish and German wine regions, rounding out his international approach to winemaking.
Born and raised in Australia, Tim began studying a Bachelor of Science at the University of Adelaide, before transferring to a Bachelor of Oenology when he realised that winemaking “looked like too much fun to be considered a ‘real’ job”. He graduated from Oenology with First Class Honours, completing a thesis entitled ‘The development of non-destructive photo-chemical assay to measure the ingress of oxygen into bottled wine through various closures.’
Speaking of his new role, Tim said “I’m excited to be joining the team at Katnook, an Estate which has some of the finest terroir in the Coonawarra region, as well as incredible pedigree and history.”
Katnook’s Executive Director of Operations and Finance, Chris Pike, said of the appointment, “We are thrilled that someone of Tim’s winemaking calibre has accepted this role. Tim brings a wealth of international expertise and creative flair that is certain to build on the great legacy left by Wayne Stehbens and to take Katnook Coonawarra into an exciting future.”
16/03/2018 at 12:50 PM
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Vintage 2018 begins
The 2018 vintage at Katnook Coonawarra began today with harvest of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meuniere for sparkling wine base. General Manager of Viticulture Chris Brodie explains the story so far, “The spring leading up to the 2018 vintage at Katnook Coonawarra was wet, providing good soil moisture which gave the vines an excellent start, with very little early season irrigation required. Temperatures were relatively warm which also encouraged good vine growth, especially in newly planted areas. Bud burst was later than usual.
A significant late frost in early November caused crop losses throughout Coonawarra, Wrattonbully and Padthaway. Katnook’s crop will subsequently be down by around 20%, with Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon at Founder’s Block level most affected. In mid November we experienced heavy rainfall of around 75mm in one day but we then enjoyed warm, clear conditions. In mid January, most of southern Australia, including Coonawarra had several days of heatwave conditions, which brought forward the first day of vintage to February 6th.
At this early stage, the vines are in good condition and the crop load is moderate, so we are upbeat about the quality of the resulting wines.”
06/02/2018 at 12:06 PM
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