3 x Wine Regions Within 1 Hour of Adelaide: Our List Of Things To Do

As the historic heart of Australian wine, South Australia has three stellar wine regions within an hour of the Adelaide CBD – each region dramatically different from the next, but all offering unique wine and non-wine related experiences.

If you haven’t already booked your travel to Adelaide for #pief2023, why not stay for a few extra days to experience everything sensational Adelaide and its surrounds has to offer!

Below we share some of our favourite things to do and see in these three wine regions to help plan your trip to Adelaide.

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ADELAIDE HILLS

The Adelaide Hills is the closest wine region to the Adelaide CBD with a travel time of only 20-25 minutes.

It’s a cool, leafy and lush region featuring hillside vineyards and orchards, along with historically influenced towns.

The Adelaide Hills is known for classic wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling styles.

WINERIES

Shaw & Smith

Known for its Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz, the wine tasting at Shaw & Smith is a sit-down guided wine flight, with gloriously generous pours. The tasting room itself is grandiose in size and sleek in style, and the are staff passionate and knowledgeable.

If a structured wine tasting is not your vibe, you can enjoy a luxuriously lazy glass or bottle of wine while taking in the 180-degree views over the vineyard and dam. Small cold plates of food are available from the larder to complement the wines.

Open daily 11am-5pm.?Learn more.

Cobbs Hill Estate

Cobbs Hill Estate cellar door and restaurant is set amongst picturesque and lush surroundings complete with a tranquil lake, stone walled creek, vibrant flowers, shady oak trees – all against a backdrop of black angus cattle and babydoll sheep. You can make use of the walking trails around the 250-acre property with designated picnic spots along the way.

The estate has ten vineyards including Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Shiraz vines. We think their Chardonnay and Methode Traditionelle Sparkling wine are particular standouts, and their distilled gins are interesting.

Serving up food farm to plate, you can enjoy platters, small plates and flammekueche.

Open daily 11am-5pm. Learn more.

Bird in Hand

This cellar door is inspired not only by wine, but also food, art, cultural events and sustainability.

Bird in Hand tutored tastings feature wines you can’t drink anywhere else including late releases and cellar museum selections. The estate plantings include Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Shiraz. It’s worth noting that Bird in Hand sparkling wines are somewhat infamous.

Set amongst stunning terrace gardens, you can also enjoy share plates with your wine appreciating companions.

Open daily 11am-5pm. Learn more.

NON-WINE ACTIVITIES IN THE ADELAIDE HILLS

There’s lot of other things to do and explore in the Adelaide Hills. Some of our suggestions include:

• Explore historic Hahndorf which is the oldest surviving German settlement in Australia. With much to do, you can enjoy a stroll along the main street to soak up the vibe and feel transported in time, check out the broad range of adorable village shops, indulge in cheese and beer tastings at Grunthal Brew or tastings at Ambleside Distillers, or visit one of several pubs for some traditional German fare.
• Whether you are after a leisurely stroll or a strenuous trek, Mount Lofty Botanic Garden offers spectacular colour and diversity, with a surprise along every meandering path.
• Family-owned Beerenberg makes jams, chutneys, gourmet relishes and sauces – visit the family farm to take part in tastings or eat at the farm café. From November to April, you can also pick your own strawberries.
• The Uraidla Hotel is a little Adelaide Hills ‘republic’ because it incorporates a pub, café, brewery and bakery – all invoking huge doses of character and charm.
• Visit Cleland Wildlife Park to feed kangaroos, wander wetlands and surround yourself with over 130 species of wildlife – many of which are free-roaming to create opportunities to touch and interact, including koala holding.?

MCLAREN VALE

McLaren Vale is only a 45 minute drive south of the Adelaide CBD.

The undulating hills of McLaren Vale are set against a stunning ocean backdrop to create a memorable landscape, with pristine beaches in close proximity.

McLaren Vale is home to some of the world’s most innovative and creative grape-growers and winemakers. The region has a reputation for producing premium Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache.

WINERIES

Coriole

Surrounded by a beautiful garden and sprawling lawns, you can soak up unique views while visiting Coriole.

It is known for Shiraz and Cabernet, along with pioneering other varieties such as Sangiovese, Fiano and Piquepoul. Coriole also produces premium olive oils, olives and vinegars.

The restaurant is nestled between the original 1860s homestead and focuses on a locally sourced and produced seasonal menu. The cellar door itself is in the original ironstone barn.

Open daily 11am-5pm. Learn more.

D’Arenberg Cube

No McLaren Vale winery list is complete without a mention of the unique and quirky D’Arenberg Cube; which is almost a destination unto itself.

D’Arenberg produces over 70 wines from 30 grape varieties, with traditional cornerstones of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, along with many new exciting varieties.

You can enjoy wine tasting while marvelling at panoramic views across the region. Within the Cube is a restaurant serving up South-East Asian inspired cuisine.

Without giving away too much away, we’ll just say the Cube has been carefully designed to entice and excite the senses, and to surprise and delight.

Open daily 10.30am-4.30pm. Learn more.

Down the Rabbit Hole

The aim of Down the Rabbit Hole is to inspire imagination and invoke a sprinkle of magic.

It’s also no wonder that it’s arguably one of SA’s most instagrammable cellar doors: think creek-side, vineyard views, casual bohemian vibes and a double decker tasting bus. Yes – a double decker bus for a wine tasting experience like no other!

The contemporary and fresh wines such as Chardonnay, Rosé, Shiraz, Tempranillo, and Sangiovese Cabernet are crafted using traditional wine methods. If wine is not your thing, Down the Rabbit Hole also serves coffee and cocktails.

The food menu offers small plates and platters made with local organic produce.

Open daily (except Wednesday) 11am-5pm. Learn more.

NON-WINE ACTIVITIES IN McLAREN VALE

With pristine beaches in close proximity to McLaren Vale, there’s a lot to explore in the area including our suggestions:

• A breathtaking and spectacular view combined with seriously good food, it doesn’t get much better – do it fancy or do it causal – your choice at Star of Greece. And no, it’s not Greek food!
• After either formal dining at Start of Greece or grabbing some fish and chips, why not stroll along Willunga Beach which is one of the region’s most photographed beaches famous for golden cliff faces, crystal clear waters and soft white sands.
• Stretching from McLaren Vale to Willunga, you can ride or walk the Shiraz Trail – a compact and mostly flat terrain with incredible vineyard views and cellar doors.
• Head further south to the seaside town of Victor Harbor (1 hour drive from Adelaide) where you can take a horse drawn tram across the causeway to explore Granite Island. You can also ride the Cockle Train – a heritage steam train – from Victor Harbor to Goolwa to marvel at the stunning coastal scenery with nothing separating you from the beach below.
• Every Saturday from 8am until 12 noon, the Willunga Farmers Market serves up local small goods, wine and cider, seafood and poultry, dairy, meat, bakery goods, coffee and breakfast. Stay on to explore the historic town of Willunga.

BAROSSA VALLEY

Just under an hour from Adelaide is the Barossa Valley where you’ll be amidst the world’s oldest continuously producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro and Semillon vines.

The region is renowned for both its red and fortified wines.

With a rich heritage, many of the wineries continue to operate in 19th century stone buildings. The Barossa Valley also boasts its sixth-generation of grape growers and winemakers.

Australia’s most famous wine region is an absolute must for anyone that enjoys a drop!

WINERIES

Yalumba

Set on a magnificent estate, Yalumba is a must-see when visiting the Barossa. You can take it easy in the picturesque gardens with an impressive clocktower as a backdrop, or fully immerse yourself in various wine experiences.

As the oldest family-owned winery in Australia, it is also the only winery in the country – and only one of a few in the world – to craft their own oak barrels onsite. This means Yalumba controls every step of the wine making process with their own onsite nursery, cooperage, bottling line, vineyards and winemaking facilities.

Yalumba is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Viognier, along with emerging styles Marsanne, Tempranillo and Sangiovese Rose. You can tailor your wine tasting experience with a choice of wine flights. Platters are also available to pair with your wines.

Book a Yalumba tour for an immersive experience including tastings of rare and fine wines, watching wine barrel making, access to vineyards and an exclusive lunch.

Open daily 10am-5pm. Learn more.

Rockford Wines

Visitors from across the globe flock to the bar stools in the small tasting room at Rockford to taste their iconic wines (see James Halliday’s quote below).

The cellar door is a cluster of small heritage stone buildings that transport you back in time. But the heritage doesn’t stop at the buildings.

The trademark of Rockford’s Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines is the use of traditional wine making equipment, and the application of traditional principles and practices using grapes from some of the best and oldest vineyards in the Barossa.

In James Halliday’s own words, “Rockford can only be described as an icon, no matter how overused that word may be.”

Open daily 11am-5pm. Learn more.

David Franz

David Franz wines present a modern twist on traditional Barossa varieties whereby old school wine making methods are combined with innovative left of centre thinking.

Vintages include Riesling, Semillon, Chardonnay, Grenache and Shiraz.

This small and quirky cellar door is housed within a cottage that has been on the estate since the 1860s, the charm of which is finished off with some of the best views in the region.

When visiting the cellar door, the serenity of the landscape encourages you to slow down and enjoy a fusion of wines, possibly paired with some of David Franz Lehmann’s favourite foods.

And yes – David Franz is Peter Lehmann’s son, but he’s his own man, and we hear a bit of a rascal to boot!

Open daily 11am-5pm. Learn more.

NON-WINE ACTIVITIES IN THE BAROSSA VALLEY

The Barossa is a large region with much to do. Some of our suggestions are as follows:

• Visit Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop to taste all Maggie Beer and Pheasant Farm products and learn how to use Maggie’s products in your own cooking. Enjoy a meal at The Eatery and stroll around the dam to observe native turtles and birdlife.
• Be awed by the spectacular scenery as you float over vineyards in a hot air balloon at sunrise, finished off with a sumptuous breakfast.
• Ride the Barossa Trail to traverse some of the loveliest countryside in the Barossa with beautiful bushland and sweeping scenery. You can pass a variety of food and wine precincts, and retail destinations. Trail maps are available from Barossa Visitor Centre.
• Visit a working lavender farm in picturesque rural surroundings at Lyndoch Lavender Farm & Café to enjoy scenic walks, gourmet food selection and a range of unique lavender products. The café offers light meals.
• The Barossa Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8.30am to 11.30am. Immerse yourself in a selection of fresh, seasonal, artisan-made local foods including fruit and vegetables, meats, bread, oils, preserves, pastries, cakes, coffee and other local specialties. We dare you not to go home with your arms full!?

These are just some of our favourite wineries to visit within 60 minutes of the Adelaide CBD, along with many non-wine related activities. If you're familiar with these wine regions, which other wineries and activities would you add to this list?