One of Adelaide’s proudest achievements are its wineries. Internationally renowned, South Australian wines often find themselves at the top of best-of lists worldwide, and the state itself has been crowned a Great Wine Capital of the world. These wines can be found in pretty much every wine bar across Australia, but nowhere is this pride more on show than in Adelaide itself, as the heart of South Australia. With some of the best SA wine regions within a short drive from the city, it makes sense the bars have access to some of the best drops, but why not try it from the source and visit a winery? Of the eighteen distinct regions, we’ll recommend the best three that aren’t too long of a drive away.
Adelaide Hills
Just a 15 minute trip from Adelaide is the Adelaide Hills Wine Region. Home to award-winning cool climate wines, a trip to the Hills is like a home away from home, as the natural landscape overtakes the city within minutes to make you feel like you’re hours and hours away. The Mount Lofty Ranges are gorgeous, but are dual purposed as their elevation provides the best climate for pinot noir, sparkling and chardonnay. Over 40 cellar doors and 60 wineries are available to explore, but some of the most well-known include Shaw + Smith, The Lane Vineyard, and Penfolds’ Magill Estate. The Magill Estate is prestigious, established in 1844, and at one time was producing a third of South Australia’s wine. Trying some of the wine here (the Grange Shiraz is their signature) is a rite of passage when in Adelaide, and if you’re after a high-end dining experience, the Penfolds’ Magill Estate Restaurant is hatted by the Australian Good Food Guide. Try one of the wine pairings with their seasonal menu for a taste of pure South Australia.
McLaren Vale
40 minutes south of Adelaide is the McLaren Vale Wine Region, nestled between the hills and the coastline of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Its coastal position lends more to varietals like shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, as warmer climate reds that thrive in Mediterranean conditions. This region is South Australia’s oldest, and home to over 80 cellar doors. Although the region is old, the wineries are constantly evolving to bring their visitors top-class wining and dining experiences—take the d’Arenberg Cube for example. This five-storey building ‘floats’ over d’Arenberg winery, providing panoramic views of the vines, and other opportunities to experience the processes of winemaking. The Alternate Realities Museum is on the bottom floor, pairing contemporary art with your wine-tasting.
Barossa Valley
The most famous wine region in Australia is found only an hour northeast of Adelaide in the Barossa Valley. 170 wineries fill the Barossa, including success-stories Tscharke, Wolf Blass and Henschke. These vines are some of the oldest on the planet, producing high-quality wines of practically every varietal, given the microclimates of the valley floor as opposed to the surrounding hills. Cabernet sauvignon, grenache and riesling are top drops, but shiraz is the king of the Barossa, making up 50% of the vineyard plantings. There are so many cellar doors to explore that we wouldn’t pass up on a wine tour of the region to try the most different wineries, but if that’s not your thing, visiting any of the major icons of the region would make for a classic Barossa experience. Try Seppeltsfield for something both historical and contemporarily popular, with all the conveniences nearby if you need an extended stay. If you stay at The Lodge at Seppeltsfield, the heart of the estate is just a short walk from your accommodation, as well as a restaurant and café.