Zema Estate’s Winemaking
All Zema Estate wines are made on site using fruit grown exclusively from our three Coonawarra vineyards. Our winemaking begins in late March, as vintage commences, and great care is taken throughout the process to preserve the intense varietal flavours and regional character of our fruit.
Hand Crafted
At Zema Estate, winemaking is a process of gentle guidance rather than interference. Our handcrafted approach focuses on showcasing the quality of our Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz – the varietals that have put Coonawarra on the world stage.
We learned early on, under the guidance of legendary Coonawarra winemaker Ken Ward, that exceptional wines begin with meticulous fruit selection and attention to detail. Every parcel is harvested, fermented, and matured separately in premium French and American oak barrels. This ensures that our winemaker has total control come blending time in creating Zema signature style: generous flavour, outstanding varietal fruit definition, soft, fine tannins and exceptional length.
In keeping with our traditional approach, all Zema Estate red wines undergo extended bottle maturation – up to four years before release (a rarity in the wine industry today) – allowing time for the wine to soften, integrate and develop complexity.
From hand-pruned vines to hand-crafted wines, our commitment to tradition ensures that every bottle of Zema Cabernet or Shiraz tastes just as the family intended.
Sustainable Winemaking
We are deeply committed to sustainable practices – in both our vineyard and winery. Zema Estate is proudly certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, a national program promoting responsible environmental, social and economic practices in the wine industry. We undertake regular independent audits and submit annual reports to ensure compliance and continual improvement.
In the winery, sustainability takes many forms:
- Solar panels provide most of the wineries power usage.
- Vintage waste, green matter and grape marc are used to feed our cattle, closing the loop on organic waste.
- Crossflow filtration is used exclusively – a more efficient and environmentally gentle method than traditional pad or earth filtration.
- Our entire winery and Cellar Door operations are powered by rainwater harvested onsite.
Cellar Door Exclusive Wines
A selection of our wines are crafted in small batches and available exclusively through our Cellar Door or online.
- Sauvignon Blanc – Crisp and refreshing with bright citrus, herbaceous lift and a zesty finish.
- Rosé – Made from premium Coonawarra Shiraz, this dry style Rosé is vibrant with delicate berry flavours and a smooth, textural palate.
- Sparkling Merlot – A Cellar Door favourite, featuring fine mousse, a velvety mouthfeel and a splash of vintage port for richness and depth.
Experience these unique wines—crafted with care and available only through our Cellar Door or online.
Our Estate Range
Our Estate range wines are vibrant expressions of varietal flavour – blackcurrant, and mint in the Cabernet Sauvignon, cherry-plum sweetness in the Shiraz and our juicy fruit-forward Cluny. Our Estate wines are then aged in bottle for two years for smoothness and drinkability.
Medium bodied, elegant expressions of Coonawarra’s regionality, the Estate range will repay cellaring for at least ten years.
Our Family Selection Range
The ‘cream of the crop’ the Family Selection represents the very best fruit, hand selected from the three Zema vineyard locations for intensity of flavour and varietal definition.
Basket pressed and hand plunged, these wines are then fermented under controlled temperature with part barrel fermentation to further enhance structure and complexity.
The Family Selection Cabernet Sauvignon receives 24 months in the very best French oak barrels and the Shiraz 22 months in a mix of French and American oak with both wines aged for three years in bottle to assure balance and smooth drinkability on release.
Bigger and bolder than the Estate range, the Family Selection has richness and complexity, structure and depth of fruit, with a cellaring potential of at least a decade.
Saluti – For Collectors
Reserved for exceptional vintages only, Saluti is the ultimate expression of Zema Estate’s winemaking philosophy and 40 plus year legacy.
Australia is the only place in the world where Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz comes together in a blend that represents the best attributes of both of these classic varieties. The Cabernet contributes length, structure and blackcurrant/mulberry attractiveness while the Shiraz brings mid-palate fruit intensity, generous plum and spice to the mix.
Saluti receives up to 30 months oak maturation – in a combination of new and aged barrels to ensure a balanced integration of toasty oak with intense fruit.
Restrained, with outstanding structure and length, this is a classic Australian red wine that will reward cellaring for at least 15 years.
Become a Friend of Zema
Join our Friends of Zema community and be the first to hear about new wine releases, special events, and exclusive offers. As a member, you’ll enjoy 7.5% off all Zema Estate wines (excluding special offers).