Although there are almost 2,500 wineries in the country, most premium Australian vineyards are clustered around the city of Adelaide in South Australia where many of the leading brands and best wines can be found
Here the Mediterranean climate and cool coastal breezes create ideal conditions for vineyards in Australia to flourish – wine making dates back centuries and the region now produces around half of all the country’s wine. Vineyards in South Australia produce an eclectic variety of different grapes with Shiraz dominating the reds, while Chardonnay is most prominent among the whites. And, some of Australia’s best known wine brands come from South Australia vineyards, including Penfolds, Jacob’s Creek and Yalumba.
At Wine Paths, our local experts can arrange exclusive wine tours of Australian vineyards, including elaborate tastings, luxury accommodation, gourmet cuisine and unique experiences. All of our private tours can be tailormade 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 incredible natural beauty.
Considering there are so many wine regions encompassing the vineyards in South Australia, we have compiled an overview of the most renowned areas to help you decide on your perfect destination:
Barossa is the oldest, and arguably most important, of the South Australia wine regions and is made of two sub regions producing distinctly different styles of wines. The Barossa Valley is home to Australian vineyards producing the country’s signature Shiraz varietal, while the elevated terraces of the Eden Valley are renowned for the quality of their Riesling.
Part of the Mount Loft Ranges, Adelaide Hills lays claim to some of the most picturesque vineyards in Australia, featuring gently rolling meadows scattered with softly sloping hills. Oak aged white wines like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc can be enjoyed in more than 60 South Australia vineyards only minutes from Adelaide.
Clare Valley is generally regarded as the capital of Australia’s Riesling, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blends also come highly rated. The wineries here range from heritage buildings established by Jesuit priests in 1851 to state of the art marvels of modern architecture.
The Australian vineyards of Fleurieu are set amongst rolling hills, pastures, national parks and rugged coastlines. Vineyards in South Australia here focus on Shiraz in the hills around McLaren Vale and Cabernet Sauvignon in the flats of Langhorne Creek – where the higher temperatures make for more intense, rugged flavours.
Coonawarra, Wrattonbully and Padthaway on the Limestone Coast are famous for their iron-rich clay soils, which have been labelled ‘terra rossa’ because of their red colour. Most wines from here are affordable, although Coonawarra stands out for its premium class Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
Riverland produces the majority of wine from South Australia vineyards, although most grapes grown here are used for affordable table wines. Nonetheless, the wines here can be outstanding value for money, including Shiraz, Cabernet blends and a wealth of Chardonnay.
The vineyards in South Australia that are settled along a narrow strip of the Southern Flinders Ranges are bordered by inhospitable desert. The few wineries here are elevated to capture cooler temperatures, giving potential to arid-friendly varieties such as Sangiovese and Tempranillo.
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