Traditionally Padthaway was recognised as a grape growing area only with no wine making facility. Grapes produced were transported from the region to nearby Coonawarra and other wineries managed by the larger wine companies.
Hardys, now Constellation Wines, established a Crushing Plant at Padthaway during the 1980’s which grew to approximately 7000 tonne capacity, but transported the juice, or must, to other areas to complete the wine making process.
In 1998 the Stonehaven Winery, with a capacity approaching 15000 tonnes, was opened in Padthaway, processing fruit from throughout the Limestone Coast.
The Padthaway Estate winery was commissioned in 1990. It is situated in the Lawson’s Padthaway Woolshed (built in the 1880s) and was set up specifically for sparkling wine production. It houses the only custom made champagne basket press in Australia.
