^{We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work. We honour and respect their cultural heritage and beliefs, as well as their spiritual relationship with the land, sea, waterways and sky and that they are of continuing importantance to the Kaurna people living today.} 

 

'Best Small Producer' at the 2022 McLaren Vale Wine Show

Young Gun of Wine Finalists 2022 & 2023

 

Our Story

We are a husband-and-wife team with a shared passion for winemaking and grape growing. Both second-generation winemakers, we grew up following in the footsteps of our fathers, developing a deep appreciation for the craft. Together, we've combined more than 40 vintages of experience, gained across McLaren Vale and internationally, to establish Cooter & Cooter as our own venture, a reflection of our shared journey and passion for wine.

Our approach is simple: making wines we love, shaped by the place we call home. Rooted in our own vineyard in the heart of McLaren Vale, we craft expressive, distinctive wines that reflect the land, the seasons and character of this remarkable region.

Our logo draws on another part of our family history. The flowing cursive script is inspired by the lettering of an early Cooter family business, with roots dating back to 1847, bringing a piece of that heritage into the identity of Cooter & Cooter.

In 2012, we found our dream vineyard and established Cooter & Cooter. Situated on the southern slopes of Whites Valley in McLaren Vale, our 70-acre estate is home to a diverse collection of grape varieties, each contributing its own character to our wines. Among them are Shiraz vines planted in the mid-1990s, producing rich and expressive fruit, and beautifully gnarled old-vine Grenache dating back to 1960. Younger Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro and more recent Fiano plantings complete the vineyard.

 

2022 McLaren Vale Wine Show - FOUR x Trophy Winners

 

The Vineyard

Our approach to viticulture is guided by a deep respect for the land and a commitment to its long-term health. We practise regenerative agriculture, working to nurture healthy soils, encourage biodiversity and minimise our environmental footprint. Our vineyard is certified organic and biodynamic, and we are proud members of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, reflecting our ongoing commitment to responsible vineyard management.

Situated in Whites Valley, at the meeting point of the Willunga and Sellicks Foothills, our vineyard occupies a distinctive position within the McLaren Vale wine region. Beneath the vines lies the ancient geology of the Christies Beach Formation, a complex landscape of red-brown alluvial fan clays, sands and gravels. Deposited around 125,000 years ago by ancient watercourses flowing across the Willunga Fault from the Sellicks Hill Range, these soils form an integral part of the character of our site.

This vineyard is more than where we grow our grapes; it is our home. We live, work and raise our family amongst the vines, with our daily lives closely connected to the rhythms of the seasons, the land and the craft of growing grapes and making wine.

Kimberly & James Cooter