The Padthaway region is located in the Limestone Coast of South Eastern Australia. The name comes from the term Potawurutj, which is the Aboriginal term meaning good water. In the 1800s, the region was covered with freshwater and was often called “Mosquito Plains”. Padthaway was the name of a pastoral station built in the region by Robert Lawson, a Scottish businessman, who named his new home Padthaway station. The government took parts of Lawson’s lease and sold it at the “Village of Cockatoo Lake”. The Padthaway region is roughly 62 kilometers long and 8 kilometers wide, and includes the Riddoch Highway running through the center. There are over 4,000 hectares of vineyards planted with various grape types such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chadonnay, and Shiraz. In recent years, plantings of Riesling, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir have started to grow in popularity. In 1944, the region was recommended for horticulture because of rich and fertile soil, underground water supply, and ideal coastal climate. Vineyards first started to appear in the 1960s and they quickly blossomed in the region. The first vineyards were introduced by Seppelt, which were followed by other vineyards including Lindemans, Wynns, and Hardys.
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