With so many different regions, a long history of viticulture and a diverse range of world class wines, not to mention the country’s incredible natural scenery, wine tasting in Australia leaves visitors spoilt for choice.
Australia’s most prestigious vineyards – including Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley, Clare Valley and McLaren Vale – are concentrated around Adelaide in South Australia, which is regarded as the country’s wine capital.
It’s here that Australian wine tasting can encounter internationally famous brands such as Jacob’s Creek, Penfolds, Peter Lehman and Wolf Blass. Western Australia also carries a reputation for world class wines from smaller boutique wineries, while New South Wales and Victoria are considered emerging areas.
Wine tasting in Australia typically involves a visit to the vineyard accompanied by an expert guide to explain the qualities of the region and the wine making process. There is sometimes an opportunity to meet boutique vineyard owners themselves during a tour of the cellar and, of course, tasting a range of premium wines often paired with local cuisine.
At Wine Paths, our local experts can arrange exclusive wine tasting Australia tours, including elaborate vineyard visits, luxury accommodation, gourmet cuisine and unique experiences. All of our private tours can be tailor-made to meet your exact requirements, ensuring every detail is taken care of so that you can relax and enjoy the matter at hand – sampling fine wines while surrounded by breathtaking landscapes.
Wine tasting in Australia typically involves a visit to the vineyard accompanied by an expert guide to explain the qualities of the region and the wine making process. There is sometimes an opportunity to meet boutique vineyard owners themselves during a tour of the cellar and, of course, tasting a range of premium wines often paired with local cuisine.
Deciding on your destination for an Australian wine tasting tour depends on your personal interests. Here are four main regions to discover according to their specialities:
The Barossa Valley, South Australia, is the country’s oldest and most prestigious wine growing region and home to internationally respected brands including Jacob’s Creek, Wolf Blass and Penfolds. The incredibly fertile landscape is scattered with quaint villages, dairy farms and horse studs – while Barossa is renowned for its profoundly rich Shiraz.
Meanwhile, nearby Clare Valley is the Australian wine tasting destination of choice for Riesling enthusiasts, with more than 40 illustrious wineries.
The Margaret River region of Western Australia is a relatively young area that is now considered among the country’s finest – producing world class Sauvignon Blanc blends, intensely flavoured Chardonnay, spicy Shiraz and some of the most revered Cabernet Sauvignon outside of Bordeaux. Consisting of mainly boutique-sized wineries, it’s a haven for serious connoisseurs who will also be impressed by the range of high class hotels and restaurants in the area.
Hunter Valley in New South Wales is one of the oldest Australian wine tasting regions, renowned for producing arguably the country’s finest Shiraz as well as Chardonnay and impressively long-lived Semillon. With more than seven million acres of wine producing vineyards, intrepid visitors can take a tour of the immense area by hot air balloon or helicopter.
The Yarra Valley is less than an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the capital of Victoria where you can find over 50 wineries to explore. This region is noted as much for the quality of its sophisticated wines – including cool climate classics like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz – as it is for its stunning scenery.
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