Adelaide can be considered the wine capital of Australia. With numerous wine regions and an abundance of wineries right on our doorstep we aren’t stuck for choice. Here is an outline of 3 of the best wine regions in South Australia and a few of my personal favourites.
Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills region is just a stone’s throw away. The cool climate of the hills region helps to make great Pinot Noir, Riesling and the region is also very well known for producing some of the country’s best Sauvignon Blanc.
Adelaide Hills Top 5 Wineries
Nepenthe
Bird in Hand
Chain of Ponds
Shaw & Smith
Kilibinbin
Barossa Valley
The Barossa is just over an hours drive from Adelaide but definitely worth the trip. A favourite amongst Shiraz-lovers and with over 50 wineries to choose from, you will need a couple days to take it all in. The Barossa is world-renowned for it’s stunning reds and has some of the most beautiful scenery. There are too many choices on places to stop for lunch but Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop is a must stop for their delicious platters!
Barossa Valley’s Top 5 Wineries
Grant Burge
Rockfords
St Hallett
Peter Lehmann
Richmond Grove
McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale is located in the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide, less than a 50 minute drive from the CBD. There are over 70 cellar doors in the warm climate region that is well-known for it’s Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. In between the wineries, make sure you stop past The Vale Inn, formerly the Salopian Inn, to try one of my favourite beers – Vale Ale.
McLaren Vale’s Top 5 Wineries
D’Arenberg
Chapel Hill
Coriole
Wirra Wirra
K1 by Geoff Hardy (update: technically Adelaide Hills!)
19 Comments
Scott
April 19, 2013 at 10:53 pmSteve, you need to swing past Villa Tinto (next door to Rockford’s). I can’t believe it’s not on your list.
Have a chat with Albert and Di – a worthy trip for a Sunday Argentinian Saltimbanco lazy lunch with some absolutely extravagant wines. Best by far from the Barossa.
Steve the Bartender
April 20, 2013 at 4:19 pmHaven’t been to Villa Tinto yet! Will have to add it to my to-do list for next Barossa trip!
Darby from Vinodiversity
April 22, 2013 at 8:30 pmSteve, It is a brave move to name just a few out of dozens and dozens of great SA wineries. Hahndorf Hill deserves a mention in the Adelaide Hills for their Gruner Veltliner. 2013 just released.
Steve the Bartender
April 22, 2013 at 9:49 pmThere are definitely some other amazing wineries – was just my personal ‘best’ list 🙂 there are still sooo many that I haven’t been to! Hahndorf Hill is another one I have to check out, thanks for the tip!
James
May 3, 2013 at 12:07 pmA few hrs to the barossa! You must be doing 40k an hr!!! Villa Tinto is definitely worth a stop, it will be a long stop as Albert and Di are great for a chat!! Langmeil, whistler, gibsons and schild are all worth a stop in the barossa. And foggo’s and Kay brothers in McLaren too!!
Steve the Bartender
May 3, 2013 at 2:08 pmI exaggerated a little, 1.25 hrs 😉 thanks for the recommendations!
Julie Ryan
May 13, 2013 at 9:22 pmClare Valley’s Best….
Samuels Gorge winery has to be my all time favourite boutique winery. Fabulous location, great people who own and run it… I tell all my friends if they want to come and drink my wine, then we start with Samuels Gorge.
Definitely taking another trip down to SA this winter.
Amy Louise
June 11, 2013 at 10:42 pmPaxton Wines in McLaren Vale! Boutique family owned winery with stunning views and gorgeous wines! 🙂
Steve the Bartender
June 12, 2013 at 5:40 pmHaven’t been there myself but I’ve definitely tried a few of their wines 🙂
Olivia
December 6, 2013 at 10:13 amThanks for the informative post, sounds like you’ve visited a lot of the great local wineries. I’m trying to find a location for my upcoming wedding (Nov ’14) and was hoping you might have a suggestion for me. My head is spinning looking at all the options and I really haven’t visited enough of the wineries to judge! We’re looking for a scenic winery with good food for only a very small wedding of 7 people. Any suggestions you may have for a location would be greatly appreciated! Thank you 🙂
Steve the Bartender
December 6, 2013 at 6:28 pmSorry Olivia, not 100% sure on where would be best for such an intimate group as most wineries would charge a considerable amount to host a wedding. I do really like K1 winery for weddings though! Personally I haven’t tried the food but I have heard good things 🙂
Bec Hardy
April 28, 2014 at 6:21 amHi Steve. Great post and thanks for the kind words about our family’s K1 by Geoff Hardy Cellar Door. I’m going to mess up your list slightly as technically (and whilst it’s close physically to the Vale) we are in the Adelaide Hills Wine Region. Best Bec 🙂
Steve the Bartender
April 28, 2014 at 10:33 amI’ve had a couple emails pulling me up on it already – whoops! Have made a note of it in the post 😉
Gina Raisin
November 19, 2014 at 9:14 amWhat about the new region of Mount Gambier….Caroline Hills is a cracker! Its 2011 Pinot received 93 points from Halliday – one to put on your list for sure.
http://www.carolinehills.com.au
And what about Coonawarra – South Australia is bigger than Adelaide and its neighbouring suburbs!
Steve the Bartender
November 19, 2014 at 9:29 amThanks for the input Gina – the list was comprised of some of my personal favourites. I’m yet to try any wines from Mt Gambier and it’s been wayyy too long since I’ve been to the Coonawarra. Time for a winery visit I think! Will try and get my hands on the Pinot 🙂
Alan massie
November 7, 2015 at 6:15 amYou lucky lot cellar door wineries and lots of them
Andrew
July 10, 2016 at 2:11 pmGreat post Steve! The Adelaide Hills is by far my favourite region for their climate wines. I came across this new website where you can search and filter cellar doors in SA, check it out http://www.vineguide.com.au 🙂
Steve the Bartender
July 11, 2016 at 10:05 pmThanks Andrew! Did you stumble across the website or did you create it yourself? 😉
Jim John
September 2, 2019 at 3:28 amNice Post