Riddoch Coonawarra releases its debut Icon wine: The Federator Cabernet Sauvignon

3 May 2025
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Riddoch Coonawarra is expanding its prestigious portfolio with the debut of The Federator Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, a new release that represents the pinnacle of the winery’s commitment to premium fine wine and the region's famed red variety. As its finest expression of cabernet sauvignon to date, The Federator marks a new chapter for the esteemed Coonawarra producer, setting a new benchmark for quality and craftsmanship.

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As with all Riddoch Coonawarra wines, The Federator Cabernet Sauvignon pays homage to John Riddoch, the father of Coonawarra. Riddoch was intrigued and hopeful about the social and political progress in South Australia’s southeast, especially with the prospect of Australian colonies uniting. The namesake dates back to 1887, when the first steam engine, The Federator, travelled between Adelaide and Melbourne, passing through Riddoch-owned land to support regional development of the time.

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Chief Winemaker Matthew Reimann is thrilled to unveil the flagship wine of Riddoch Coonawarra’s portfolio, commenting, “This is the ultimate expression of Riddoch’s fine winemaking, a wine that showcases not only the pedigree of Coonawarra Cabernet but the precision and care that goes into crafting something so exceptional.

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“Every detail was considered to create a wine with longevity. The Federator represents everything we stand for as Riddoch Coonawarra—heritage, quality and the pursuit of excellence.”

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The fruit for this wine is sourced from a single vineyard at the northern end of Coonawarra’s famed terra rossa strip—an area celebrated for producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Seventy per cent comes from the north-east block, the same site that yielded the award-winning 2021 Pastoralist Cabernet Sauvignon. This warmer pocket of the region features a mix of red loam over limestone and ironstone. The vines selected for the inaugural release of The Federator are between 20 and 25 years old.

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An additional ten per cent hails from another vineyard on the terra rossa strip, while the remaining fruit—a co-ferment of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc—comes from Riddoch Estate, situated between the iconic Leconfield and Katnook vineyards.

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Each parcel was fermented separately in stainless steel for 10 days, before being pressed to tank for a brief settling and then racked to a mix of new and seasoned French oak. Following malolactic fermentation, the wine was returned to barrel. The parcels matured individually for eight months before blending, with the final blend spending a further eight months in oak ahead of final barrel selection.

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In total, the wine matured in French oak for 15 months and was then cellared in bottle for 24 months before release.

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The 2022 vintage in Coonawarra delivered ideal conditions for premium Cabernet Sauvignon. A mild, stable growing season with well-timed rainfall and a warm January led to even ripening and the development of small, thick-skinned berries. Yields were slightly below average, but the quality was exceptional, producing wines with purity, depth and strong varietal character—built for cellaring and showcasing the region at its best.

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The debut release of The Federator Cabernet Sauvignon (RRP $99.99) is strictly limited, with just 3,060 bottles available. The first release of the wine will be available online exclusively at select Dan Murphy’s stores.

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For more information about Riddoch Coonawarra, please visit:

www.riddochcoonawarra.com.au

@riddochwines

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For more information, product or media images, please contact Blend Public Relations:

Tommy Parsons | Blend Public Relations | ph: 0458 020 865 | [email protected]

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