Eden Valley is Australia’s premier cool climate wine growing region that, together with the neighbouring Barossa Valley, is home to some of South Australia’s most prestigious wineries.
While the so-called ‘Barossa Zone’ is renowned for its signature Shiraz (known elsewhere as Syrah) and several other red grape varieties, the elevated vineyards of Eden Valley are ideal for creating internationally acclaimed aromatics that include the country’s finest Riesling.The portfolio of Eden Valley wineries includes instantly recognisable producers such as Henschke as well as Riesling specialists Pewsey Vale among over 40 premium estates in the region that can be explored as part of typical wine tours.
At Wine Paths, our local expert can organise exclusive Eden Valley winery tours, which can include elaborate tastings, luxury stays, fine dining experiences and some unique activities across Australia’s most revered wine country.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 exquisite vintages surrounded by the country’s trademark natural beauty.
Among the wineries that we recommend is the awarding winning Yalumba – Australia’s most historic family-owned winery with a history of viticulture dating back to 1849 and now managed by fifth-generation chairman Robert Hill-Smith.Yalumba is the only winery in the southern hemisphere to have its own on-site Cooperage, where barrels are hand crafted from oak to give their wines even more character. Visitors to Yalumba can wander the manicured grounds framed by the Wine Room or enjoy the outdoor sunshine with a wine-paired picnic beside the historic clock tower for an unforgettable experience.A typical visit to an Eden Valley winery will include exploring the vineyard and cellar accompanied by a professional guide before an opportunity to sample several premium wines that are often accompanied by gourmet food pairings featuring local cuisine.
Known as the ‘Garden of Grape and Gums’, Eden Valley vineyards cling to the rolling hills among the Mount Lofty ranges north of the state’s capital Adelaide. It is the raised altitudes – with most estates nestled on exposed slopes at altitudes between 380-500 metres above sea leave – that provide a cooler climate for the region’s plantings to flourishAlthough the Eden Valley wineries produce a range of traditional and alternative grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, the region’s wines are dominated by Riesling and Shiraz.Eden Valley Riesling has been applauded by critics around the world for its potent citrus and floral aromatics with concentrated flavours restrained by a vibrant acidity, which are famed for their cellaring potential.
Shiraz is the region’s other signature variety, with Henschke’s Hill of Grace widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest ever wines. The styles from Eden Valley are typically medium-bodied, highly scented and extremely complex with layers of fruit flavours – while the best examples can be aged gracefully for decades. Wine tourists can sample some of Henschke’s world class wines as part of our exclusive tour of the ‘Barossa Zone’, which also includes a visit to Hutton Vale Farm in the nearby Barossa Valley; together these wineries have over 350 years’ experience.
Eden Valley itself is a small, quaint town that rests between picturesque vineyards and thatches of ancient red gum trees. It is an ideal place to enjoy a slower pace of life surrounded by beautiful scenery, which includes the Kaiserstuhi Conservation Park where visitors can marvel at spectacular panoramic vistas.
If you are interested in visiting an Eden Valley winery, visit our Australia destination page for more information and inspirational ideas before planning a bespoke trip.
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