Zema Estate is a small family owned and operated winery and vineyard established in 1982 when Demetrio and Francesca, with their two sons Matt and Nick, purchased a small vineyard in the very heart of Coonawarra. The family is committed to traditional vineyard practices including hand pruning produces intense, rich fruit of the highest quality and wines that are beautifully balanced with excellent varietal definition. Typically low yields optimize flavour development producing wines that epitomize the Zema philosophy of a heartland style with deep colour and ample fruit richness and concentration.
What makes the Zema family and your particular patch of land so special?
Coonawarra has been our home since 1952 when Grandpa immigrated to Australia and Dad always saw the quality and potential of growing grapes in Coonawarra. Our family is proudly traditional in the vine to wine process, using only 100% Coonawarra estate grown fruit, remaining committed to hand pruning and using minimal irrigation to maximize vine health and fruit quality. All our wines are proudly estate grown and vintaged on site. These practices are enhanced by the strategic location of our three vineyards sites that allow us to capitalize on the regions subtle climatic variations. The climate with long cool ripening conditions, the soil rich red terra rossa over limestone and the natural water table make it the perfect site for premium red grapes. Our wines are renowned for their consistency, intense rich fruit and excellent varietal definition.
What are some of Zema Estate’s greatest achievements to date?
I think our greatest achievement is consistently producing quality wines at affordable prices for over 30 years. We remain traditional in our core vineyard and winemaking practises while utilising modern techniques to continually strive to improve.
Did you know...
Demetrio Zema came from Italy in 1959 to marry his fiancée, Francesca. As a house painter in Penola, he planned to stay only two or three years, but found Coonawarra could fulfil his dream of owning his own vineyard and producing his own wines.
- Greg Clayfield, Chief Winemaker