About Us
About Us
We are Damon and Maddy Koerner, a husband-and-wife team behind Koerner Wine, growing grapes and making wine from the Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills. With a focus on fruit quality and transparent winemaking, we stay true to the vineyard and the variety, creating wines that authentically tell their story. We aim to make all Koerner wines approachable, textural, and fresh, reflecting the unique character of these two exceptional wine regions.
Damon, the viticulturist and winemaker, developed an interest in the industry from a very young age, growing up on his family’s vineyard in Clare. Maddy’s background is in marketing and Advertising. After we both studied, worked, and travelled across Australia and overseas, we decided to settle in Lenswood, Adelaide Hills, where we now live with our three children. This is also on the same property as our winery and Home Block vineyard.
We work with a mix of traditional and unique varieties that are suited to both the Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills. This includes Riesling, Vermentino, Sangiovese, and Cabernet from Clare, and Chardonnay, Savagnin, Gamay, and Sangiovese from the Hills.
THE KOERNER PHILOSOPHY
The Koerner winemaking philosophy is simple – to make wines that reflect their place in the world, wines that are made in the vineyard.
We believe the date of picking is one of the most crucial parts of the process. Once the grapes make their way to the winery we work with each batch individually.
An understanding of terroir and the individual varieties enables us to produce unique wines using nothing but the grapes and a small amount of sulphur.
WINEMAKING STYLE
Ultimately we aim to produce wines to a style that I enjoy drinking. Generally these are light, fresh, textured and well structured – easier drinking wines. To achieve this we pick early and use a minimal intervention winemaking style.
Our reds are bright, vibrant and can be enjoyed young with a great balance between primary fruit, acidity and phenolics.
Our whites are aromatic, expressing primary fruit while showing mouthfeel, structure and texture.
Where it All Began
Damon grew up on his family’s vineyard in Leasingham, Clare Valley (Watervale region). With a vineyard as his backyard. It’s no surprise his passion for viticulture started at a young age. From helping his dad as a young boy to working across various vineyards in both Clare and the Hills during his high school and university years, Damon was immersed in the world of wine from the very start.
Maddy’s roots are also rich with winemaking talent from the Barossa Valley, with her Grandfather and Uncles being renowned winemakers in the region. We are now raising our three children in Lenswood, surrounded by the very environment that has shaped our family’s story.
Today, it’s incredibly special for us to continue working with the Clare Valley vineyards that have been a part of Damon’s upbringing, as they remain the backbone of our Clare portfolio. The connection Damon has to the land, its vines, and the legacy of his family is something that inspires him in everything he does.