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Koerner Wines

Damon Koerner
Koerner Wines - Clare Valley

Brothers Damon and Jonathan (Jono) Koerner grew up in the Clare Valley, but flew the coop to work and study in other parts of Australia and abroad.The substantial vineyards had been owned and managed by their parents, Anthony and Christine Koerner, for 35 years, but they have passed ownership and management of the vineyards on to their sons. While the major part of the crop is sold to other wineries, in 2016, Damon made 11 wines, a major point of difference from other Clare Valley wineries being the use of synonyms for well known varieties, as well as adopting Australian name usage, turning the world upside down with left-field winemaking practices exemplified by the 2016 Watervale Riesling. The 2016 Rolle Vermentino has the nomenclature trail to follow as well as ceramic egg winemaking. JAMES HALLIDAY

1. What got you into wine?

Family – growing up on our vineyards was the perfect introduction.

2. Which of your wines best defines what you’re about? (Tell us why too.)
Hard to choose one, I consider all our wines to be honest and true to their origins.

3. With wine, what’s next?
In Australia, greater focus on terroir and single site wines that are truly unique and different.

4. What is your winemaking mantra? OR Do you have a favourite quote about wine or winemaking?
Keep it simple, less is more.

5. What wine lesson - or winemaking lesson - did you learn the hard way?
Measure twice, cut once!!

6. What are your 3 favourite wines right now? Why?
COS Rami – so refreshing
Clos Signadore Nielluccio – how Sangiovese should be
Antoine Arena Vermentino – so expressive of the variety and site


7. What song is the soundtrack to your life; what wine is the winetrack? (Tell us why too.)
Rolling stones – Sympathy for the Devil

8. What’s your favourite TV show… and what’s the perfect wine to drink with it? (Don’t forget to tell us why.)
Now that summer is around the corner – Test Cricket. May not be wine, but West End draft tinnys go down pretty well!

9. You are, in one word…
Optimistic

10. What’s your desert island wine?
Right now - COS Rami