About

Welcome to Majella Wines, one of the most awarded small Australian wineries. We are a family owned winery based in the famous Coonawarra wine region in South Australia, home of some Australia’s greatest wines. Majella Wines have won well over 660 awards both in Australia and the rest of the world. These awards have included many prestigious trophies which have only enhanced Majella’s standing in the Australian wine industry.

Location Description

Located in the heart of Coonawarra, South Australia.

Features

• Majella Wines are regarded as one of the best producers of premium Australian wine!

Additional Information

Winemaker

Bruce Gregory has made every bottle of Majella ever released. Michael Marcus joined us a couple of years ago and brings a whole new wealth of experience to one of the best winemaking teams around.

History

The Lynn family have been residents of the Penola - Coonawarra district for over four generations, starting out as store-Keepers and then graduating into grazing. The property on which Majella now stands was originally owned by Frank Lynn, and bought by his nephew, George, in 1960. George and Pat Lynn kept Merino’s for wool production on their farm about ten miles away, and had always wanted some good Coonawarra country for their up-and-coming prime lamb enterprise. Viticulture, however, was not on their agenda until 1968.

By late 1995 we realised that Majella needed a Cellar Door Sales and office facility, so Mount Gambier architect Stephen Herbert was charged with the responsibility of coming up with a concept that looked good, was functional and didn't cost an arm and a leg. A barrel shed together with the aforementioned facilities was designed and construction was finished in late 1996.

Our production level soon reached the stage where our own winemaking facilities were warranted, and enough high tech winemaking equipment was installed to keep us poor for years to come! Bruce Gregory joined us as winemaker in January 1999 and produced a crackerjack vintage first up.

What happened to the sheep? Well might you ask! Well they're still there although there's not as much money in wool these days. We still run about 1500 Merino wethers on our other farm south-west of Penola together with 2000 cross-bred ewes for prime lamb production. We also raise about 400 prime lambs here at Coonawarra.

The Team

Brian Lynn, also known as Prof to nearly everyone, and the elder of the Lynn brothers, looks after all the admin and marketing for Majella. As well as being the noisy one, he plays the piano and organ tolerably well, has an interest in the politics of the viticulture and wine industries, likes red wine and Malt Whisky and, as you can tell by his girth, food!!

His wife, Ros, helps with sales and marketing (especially Asian and emerging markets), and supports Majella at the many Trade and Consumer exhibitions that we do around Australia and the rest of the world.

Tony, the younger of the brothers, is the guy who actually does all the work around the place. As well as looking after the vineyard Tony and his team handle all the sheep work (after all we’re still sheep farmers).

Married to Teresa, with four kids, Tony likes a beer after work with his mates and a bit of travel.

Estate Vineyards / AVA

George had always been great friends with Eric Brand. Eric has just started producing his wines under the "Laira" label and was selling some wine to the old Hardy Wine Company. Brian was interested in planting a vineyard on the Majella property and in 1968 we went ahead and planted 6 acres of Shiraz. Eric offered to buy the grapes to produce wine for Hardy’s and the future looked rosy. There wasn’t a lot of money in it, but it complemented the sheep enterprise, so eventually some 70 acres were planted - about 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.

However, all good things come to an end, and the Hardy deal fell through just as the vines were maturing. Things were tight in the 70’s; demand for grapes, particularly Shiraz was very low, and although we could get rid of most of the grapes there were a couple of years when 30 or more tonnes of premium Shiraz grapes were left to rot. In 1980 we sold our first grapes to Wynn’s Coonawarra Estate (now part of the Foster's Wine Group). This was the start of a long relationship between Wynn’s and Majella, a relationship that continued for over 20 years. Since 1989 we have continued planting new vineyards and a present we have about 150 acres (60 hectares) under vine. Most of the new plantings have been Cabernet Sauvignon, but there are some small areas of Merlot and Riesling planted as well.

Awards

Australia has a unique Wine Show circuit, which enables producers to compare their products against that of their peers.

Majella is proud that we are one of the most awarded small wineries in Australia and, for those interested, we have included a list of awards won.

Shiraz
2010 Shiraz Coonawarra Shiraz Trophy, London International Wine Challenge
1 Gold Medal
1 Silver Medal
5 Bronze Medals

2009 Shiraz 4 Gold Medals (incl Top Gold in Hobart)
3 Silver Medals
2 Bronze Medals

2008 Shiraz 2 Silver Medals
7 Bronze Medals

2006 Shiraz 1 Silver Medal
4 Bronze Medals

2005 Shiraz Best Australian Super Premium Shiraz Trophy - Food & Beverage Assoc. of Thailand
3 Bronze Medals

2004 Shiraz 1 Gold Medal
3 Silver Medals
7 Bronze Medals

2003 Shiraz Top Gold in Class - Limestone Coast
3 Gold Medals
4 Silver Medals
5 Bronze Medals

2002 Shiraz 2 Silver Medals
10 Bronze Medals

2001 Shiraz TOP 100 - Sydney International
Blue/Gold - Sydney International
1 Gold Medal
12 Bronze Medals
4 Silver Medals

2000 Shiraz Top Gold - Limestone Coast
3 Gold Medals
2 Silver Medals
7 Bronze Medals

1999 Shiraz 1 Gold Medal
9 Silver Medals
3 Bronze Medals

1998 Shiraz Top Gold in Class - Cowra Show
Top Gold in Class - Canberra Show
4 Gold Medals
5 Silver Medals
5 Bronze Medals

1997 Shiraz Toohey Brothers Trophy - Best Shiraz - Cowra
Vintage Cellars Trophy - Best Red Wine - Cowra Show
Top Gold in Class – Cowra Show
3 Gold Medals
5 Silver Medals
4 Bronze Medals

1996 Shiraz 4 Silver Medals
7 Bronze Medals

1995 Shiraz 9 Bronze Medals

1994 Shiraz 2 Gold Medals
4 Silver Medals
9 Bronze Medals

1993 Shiraz 1 Gold Medal
7 Silver Medals
9 Bronze Medals

1992 Shiraz Champion Wine, Royal Adelaide Wine Show
2 Gold Medals
3 Silver Medals
9 Bronze Medals

1991 Shiraz 3 Silver Medals
8 Bronze Medals

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Cabernet
2011 Cabernet 1 Silver Medal
5 Bronze Medals

2010 Cabernet WineState Magazine - Best Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year
Wine Guild of Australia Trophy - Best Red in Commercial Classes, Brisbane
4 Gold Medals
7 Silver Medals
1 Bronze Medal

2009 Cabernet "Kiola" Trophy - Best Red Wine - Cowra
5 Gold Medals
3 Silver Medals

2008 Cabernet 6 Gold Medals - Top Gold in Brisbane
2 Bronze Medals

2007 Cabernet Hamburg Sud Trophy - Best Cabernet of the Year - Winestate Magazine
Runner-up - Wine of the Year - Winestate Magazine
2 Gold Medals
2 Silver Medals
2 Bronze Medals


2006 Cabernet Bill Redman Trophy - Best Wine in Show - Limestone Coast
David Wynn Trophy - Best Red Wine - Limestone Coast
HR (Ron) Hazelgrove Trophy - Best Cabernet Sauvignon - Limestone Coast
Arthur Hoffman Trophy - Best Viticulturist - Limestone Coast
Top Gold in Class - Limestone Coast
2 Gold Medals
1 Silver Medal
8 Bronze Medals

2005 Cabernet
International Cabernet Trophy - Best Cabernet in Show - London International Wine Challenge
Australia Trophy - Best Australian Red Wine - London International Wine Challenge
South Australian Trophy - Best South Australian Red Wine _ London International Wine Challenge
Coonawarra Trophy - Best Coonawarra Wine - London International Wine Challenge
Canberra Times Trophy - Best Cabernet Sauvignon, Premium Classes - Canberra
7 Gold Medals
9 Silver Medals


2004 Cabernet Courier Mail Trophy - Champion Wine - Brisbane
Ian Thornquest Trophy - Best Commercial Red - Brisbane
Rural Finance Trophy - Best Commercial Red - Melbourne
Australian Winemakers - Best Cabernet - Rutherglen
Oeneo Special Awards - Best Dry Red - Rutherglen
HR Hazelgrove Trophy - Best Cabernet - Limestone Coast
David Wynn Trophy - Best Dry Red - Limestone Coast
Bill Redman Trophy - Champion Wine - Limestone Coast
Arthur Hoffman Trophy - Best Viticulturist - Limestone Coast
Trophy - Best Super Premium Red - FBAT, Thailand
Top Gold - Limestone Coast, Rutherglen, Melbourne, Brisbane
9 Gold Medals
2 Silver Medals
3 Bronze Medal

2003 Cabernet Top Gold - Limestone Coast
5 Gold Medals
7 Silver Medals
4Bronze Medals

2002 Cabernet AJ Perkins Trophy - Best Cabernet - Adelaide
Top Gold - Adelaide
4 Gold Medals
4 Silver Medals
4 Bronze Medals

2001 Cabernet Stodart Trophy - Best One Year Old Red Wine- Brisbane S
AJ Perkins Trophy - Best Cabernet - Adelaide
Espak Capsules Trophy - Best Dry Red in Commercial Classes - Canberra
Ewan Fergusson McBain Trophy - Best Museum Wine - Limestone Coast
Top Gold Medal in Class - Canberra
Top Gold Medal in Class - Brisbane
Top Gold Medal in Class - Adelaide
Top Gold Medal in Class - Limestone Coast
10 Gold Medals
4 Silver Medals
3 Bronze Medals

2000 Cabernet
Courier Mail Trophy – Champion Wine in Show – Brisbane
Stodart Trophy – Best One Year Old Red Wine – Brisbane
Rutherglen B&B Trophy - Best One Year Old Wine - Rutherglen
Ian Smith Memorial Trophy - Best Red Wine in Commercial Classes - Perth
Runner-up - "Winestate Magazine" - Cabernet of the Year - 2002
Top Gold in Class - Rutherglen, Brisbane, Perth
8 Gold Medals
5 Silver Medals
1 Bronze Medal


1999 Cabernet Pier 9 Trophy – Best in Commercial Class – Brisbane Show
Top Gold in Class - Brisbane Show
6 Gold Medals
3 Silver Medals
6 Bronze Medals

1998 Cabernet Lockland Valley Trophy – Best Cabernet - Cowra
Top Gold in Class - Cowra
6 Gold Medals
5 Silver Medals
6 Bronze Medals

1997 Cabernet AJ Perkins Trophy - Best Cabernet - Adelaide
Ian Smith Memorial Trophy - Best Cabernet - Perth
Wine Society Trophy - Best Red Wine - Perth
Top Gold in Class - Cowra Show
9 Gold Medals
4 Silver Medals
3 Bronze Medals

1996 Cabernet 5 Gold Medals
2 Silver Medals
3 Bronze Medals

1995 Cabernet 1 Gold Medal
2 Silver Medals
4 Bronze Medals

1994 Cabernet 5 Gold Medals
7 Silver Medals
4 Bronze Medals

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"The Malleea" by Majella
2010 Malleea Wine Services Trophy - Best Red Blend, Rutherglen Wine Show
3 Silver Medals
7 Bronze Medals

2009 Malleea 3 Gold Medals
4 Silver Medals
5 Bronze Medals

2008 Malleea 1 Gold Medal
5 Silver Medals
5 Bronze Medals

2005 Malleea Double Gold - Tri Nations Wine Challenge
Top Gold in Class - Adelaide
6 Bronze Medals

2004 Malleea Top Gold Medal in Class - Brisbane
5 Silver Medals
9 Bronze Medals

2003 Malleea Trophy - Best Red Blend, Tri-Nations Wine Challenge (AUS, NZL, SAF)
2 Gold Medals
6 Silver Medals
9 Bronze Medals

2002 Malleea 3 Gold Medals
5 Silver Medals
7 Bronze Medals

2001 Malleea Top Gold in Class - Rutherglen
Top Gold in Class - Canberra
3 Gold Medals
9 Silver Medals
5 Bronze Medal

2000 Malleea A&G Trophy - Best Red Blend -2002 Limestone Coast
Best Bordeaux Blend Trophy - Aust. Boutique Tri Nations Challenge
6 Gold Medals
6 Silver Medals
5 Bronze Medals

1999 Malleea 2 Top Gold in Class – Melbourne & Hobart Shows
4 Gold Medals
4 Silver Medals

1998 Malleea Trophy – Best Dry Red (Soft Finish) - Canberra
Trophy – Best Dry Red in Show - Canberra
Trophy – Best Red Blend – Australian Boutique
Trophy – Best Wine in Show – Australian Boutique
Trophy – Best Wine in Show – Canberra
Trophy – Douglas Seabrook – Best Red in Show – Melbourne
Trophy – Wine Society – Best Red in Open Class – Melbourne
Trophy – Rutherglen Beef Steak & Burgundy Club – Best 1998 Dry Red
3 Top Gold in Class – Brisbane, Canberra & Melbourne Show
12 Gold Medals

1997 Malleea Top Gold in Class - Cowra Show
3 Gold Medals
4 Silver Medals
1 Bronze Medal

1996 Malleea Trophy – Wine Society Trophy – Cowra Show
Top Gold in Class - Cowra Show
5 Silver Medals
1 Bronze Medal

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Riesling
2013 Riesling Trophy - Best Riesling, Limestone Coast Wine Show
Trophy - Best White Wine, Limestone Coast Wine Show
1 Gold Medal
1 Bronze Medal

2012 Riesling 4 Bronze Medals

2011 Riesling 3 Silver Medals
1 Bronze Medal

2010 Riesling 2 Silver Medals
1 Bronze Medals

2009 Riesling 3 Bronze Medals

2005 Riesling 2 Silver Medals
5 Bronze Medals

2004 Riesling 1 Bronze Medal

2002 Riesling 1 Silver Medal
2 Bronze Medals

2001 Riesling 1 Silver Medal
1 Bronze Medal

2000 Riesling 1 Bronze Medal

1999 Riesling 1 Gold Medal
1 Silver Medal
1 Bronze Medal

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Sparkling Shiraz
2010 Sparkling Shiraz 1 Silver Medal

2009 Sparkling Shiraz 1 Bronze Medal

2008 Sparkling Shiraz 1 Silver Medal
1 Bronze Medal

2006 Sparkling Shiraz Consumers Award - Best Sparkling Red, SA Wine Awards
1 Gold Medal - Top Gold in Brisbane
3 Bronze Medals

2005 Sparkling Shiraz 1 Bronze Medal

2004 Sparkling Shiraz 2 Silver Medals
1 Bronze Medal

2003 Sparkling Shiraz 1 Bronze Medal

2001 Sparkling Shiraz 1 Bronze Medal

1998 Sparkling Shiraz Trophy – Best Sparkling Red – Australian Boutique
1 Gold Medal

1997 Sparkling Shiraz 1 Silver Medal

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"The Musician" by Majella
2012 The Musician 4 Bronze Medals

2011 The Musician 2 Bronze Medals

2010 The Musician 2 Gold Medals
2 Silver Medals
2 Bronze Medals

2009 Musician Top Gold Medal in Class - Adelaide
Top Gold Medal in Class - Limestone Coast
2 Gold Medals - Top Gold in Adelaide
1 Silver Medal
1 Bronze Medal

2008 Musician Top Gold in Class - Rutherglen
2 Gold Medals
4 Silver Medals
2 Bronze Medals

2007 Musician Montgomery Trophy - Best Red Wine under $20 - Adelaide
Top Gold in Class - Adelaide
4 Gold Medals
2 Silver Medals
2 Bronze Medals

2006 Musician Trophy - Best Super Premium Red Blend - FBAT, Thailand
Top Gold in Class - Limestone Coast
3 Gold Medals
1 Silver Medal
9 Bronze Medals

2005 Musician A&G Engineering Trophy - Best Dry Red Blend - Limestone Coast
Trophy - Best Australian Red Wine - London International Wine Challenge
Trophy - Best Coonawarra Wine - London International Wine Challenge
Top Gold in Class - Limestone Coast
3 Gold Medals
4 Silver Medals
1 Bronze Medal

2004 Musician Clear Image Trophy - Best Red Blend - Cowra
3 Gold Medals
3 Silver Medals
7 Bronze Medals

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Merlot
2012 Merlot 2 Bronze Medals

2010 Merlot 4 Gold Medals
3 Silver Medals
2 Bronze Medals

2008 Merlot Globe Hotel Group Trophy - Best Merlot - Hobart
2 Gold Medals - Top Gold in Hobart and Top Gold in Rutherglen
4 Bronze Medals

2005 Merlot 1 Silver Medal
4 Bronze Medals

2004 Merlot 1 Gold Medal
3 Silver Medals
6 Bronze Medals