Leconfield Coonawarra was established in 1974 by noted oenologist, Sydney Hamilton. During a winemaking career spanning nearly 60 years, Sydney was highly regarded for his contribution to the industry, especially his pioneering temperature-controlled fermentation of white wines.At the age of 76, Sydney Hamilton still yearned to make a classic Australian Cabernet Sauvignon and set himself the task of finding the right district in which to establish his own vineyard and winery. Showing great foresight, Sydney selected Coonawarra as the area with the potential to fulfill his ambitious dream. Thus Leconfield was born, named after an English ancestor, Lord Leconfield.
The estate comprises three vineyards – Winery Block, Glenroy Siding and Hamilton Block. Situated in the southern half of the Coonawarra strip, the vineyard occupies some of the area’s richest terra rossa soil over a crust of calcrete and limestone, a composition for which Coonawarra is famous.
Original plantings were to the classic variety Cabernet Sauvignon (1974), however Sydney saved a small section of the best soils for Riesling cuttings he had sourced from his Happy Valley vineyard in Adelaide. there is also Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet Franc. The total vineyard size now stands is about 100 acres.
Winemaker is Paul Gordon, whose fascination with wine grew from a school project at the age of 14. Since graduating from Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1979, Paul has experience in all facets of winemaking in the Barossa Valley, Mildura, Sydney and Coonawarra.