Coonawarra was a station on the Mount Gambier railway line. which opened in 1887 until it closed to freight on 12 April 1995. The area is best known for the Coonawarra wine region. t is known for the Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced on its "terra rossa" soil. The rich red terra rossa soils over limestone, pure underground water and a long cool ripening season for the grapes produce wines of elegance and longevity. Coonawarra is an Aboriginal word meaning "Honeysuckle".