Australian wine travels an hour from Adelaide
Australian wine travel could go many more places, but let's raise the glass in 2022 for interesting wines and travel experiences with the theme “South Australian wine”. With 200 of the best winestates in Australia within an hour's drive of Adelaide, South Australia's is highly ranked among the world's major wineries. From South Australia, there are a staggering 700 wineries spread across 18 different wine regions, including world-famous Barossa, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra and Adelaide Hills. Together they produce more than 80% of all Australia's premium wines.
From unique wine experiences and annual wine festivals to food and wine tours that highlight delicious wine & food experiences, we have put together eight of the best ways you can enjoy South Australia's finest vintages of top Australian wine. If you're planning a trip for wine connoisseurs, get them ready for the Epicurean Way when the borders reopen.
Taste wine from your year of birth on Australian wine trips to Seppeltsfield
Seppeltsfield was founded in 1851 and stands out among Barossa wineries as home to the world's longest continuous vintages in its own cellar. From 1878, rare barrels of Para Vintage Tawny harbor are kept in their Centennial Cellar, a living museum where you can try to drink exquisite vintages directly from the barrel, also from your year of birth.
How to get there: Seppeltsfield is less than an hour's drive from Adelaide.
Mix wine at d'Arenberg
The iconic d'Arenberg Cube recognized for the Mourvedre grape in McLaren Vale's d'Arenberg winery and offers far more than Instagram delicious photo options. Inside a Rubik's cube-inspired wine tasting cellar, you will discover wine experiences, including a wine blend master class accompanied by spectacular views of the rolling vineyards. Let a winemaker guide you through mixing your very own Shiraz from three distinctive barrel samples and take home a bottle of your very own wine. Since about 1912, d'Arenberg has established itself as one of the best producers in Australia for its artistic and immersive approach to knowledge sharing and impressive portfolio of sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines.
Get there: d'Arenberg is located approx. 40 km from Adelaide in just 35 minutes by car.
The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, a pure natural wonder
Enjoy great wine, food and music at the Winter Reds Festival
Celebrate South Australia's deep, rich red wines at the Winter Reds Festival in the Adelaide Hills. This rustic three-day celebration takes place annually in late July. It offers a large selection of food and wine tours scattered around the region combined with local music, good food and open fire. In honor of the 2021 Year of South Australian Wine has the largest line-up to date. Those lucky enough to come along can expect an exquisite mix of wine tastings, near-decadent tasting menus, wine-related master classes, family-friendly gatherings and parties in the Bacchus character.
Get there: Events and wine experiences take place across the Adelaide Hills, about 20 minutes outside of Adelaide. Buses for wine lovers depart from Adelaide at 10 and returns at. 18.
Seafood on the Eyre Peninsula with Peter Teakle Wines
Launched in 2017, Peter Teakle Wines is one of the newest wineries in South Australia. Overlooking Port Lincoln and Boston Bay on the Eyre Peninsula, the winery's aptly named, tasting-style Line and Label Restaurant combines seasonal local seafood, such as Southern common tuna and Spencer Gulf king prawns, with wines produced both on and off the estate. southern Australia. You can also explore the winery on guided food and wine tours. These are available every weekend and give you the chance to try Peter Teakle's impressive range of reds and whites, ranging from Riesling to Cabernet Sauvignon, flavored with a local cheese platter or charcuterie board.
Getting there: Port Lincoln is a 45-minute flight from Adelaide or a 650 km drive.
Dine in an underground cave at Maxwell Wines on one of Australia's wine tours
Maxwell Wines is carved into a limestone hill in McLaren Vale and delivers one of South Australia's most unique food and wine experiences. The vineyard and the restaurant, which overlook the vineyards and another in a magical underground cave by candlelight, are together a great bid for a great wine and food experience. Here, chef Fabian Lehmann channels his experience in Europe's Michelin-starred restaurants to taste menus that stand for fresh, seasonal products from local suppliers. End your visit with food and wine tours of the vineyard.
How to get there: Maxwell Wines is about a 40-minute drive from Adelaide.
Cycling the Riesling Trail in the Clare Valley
Wine Experiences: Sevenhill Cellars on the Riesling Trail.
There is no better way to take in the quaint Clare Valley wine region than by bike. The Riesling Trail runs about 35km from Auburn through the Clare Valley and into Barinia and is characterized by dozens of the best basement doors in Australia. Take a leisurely stroll, starting at Mount Horrocks Wines, then stopping at an art gallery and wineries in Leasingham and Watervale. Next, a cruise into Penwortham - the first European settlement in the region - followed by Sevenhill, home to the 170-year-old Sevenhill Cellars, Clare Valley's very first winery and producer of sacramental wines to churches across the country. Several vineyards can be found in the White Hut, where you can cuddle through the natural bushland before reaching the trail.
How to get there: The Riesling Trail passes close to 40 wineries in southern Australia and is approximately a two-hour drive north of Adelaide. Bicycle rental is available in both Clare Valley and Auburn.
Try wine and "nibbles" degustation style near Adelaide
Food & Wine Tours: The Lane Vineyard
The Lane Vineyard recommends a rolling green piece of the Adelaide Hills and owes its four different layers of wine to the warm days and cool nights that characterize this famous wine region. Open since 1993, the property offers tastings of its exquisite individual wines - including vegan and vegetarian varieties - as well as guided tours of the scenic vineyards. Those looking for memorable food and wine tours should book the Gathering Experience, a miniature tasting-style tasting showcasing the best of The Lane's signature wines and modern Australian restaurant.
How to get there: Lane is a scenic 25 minute drive from Adelaide and only three kilometers from the historic village of Hahndorf.
Visit Penfolds' historic home
Wine experiences: Penfolds Magill Estate
Visit the spiritual home of the prestigious Penfolds brand at Magill Estate Cellar Door, where you are one of the best basement doors in Australia. Located in Adelaide, this iconic vineyard dates back to 1844 and is one of the world's few urban single vineyards. Visitors can embark on a range of food and wine tours ranging from the Ultimate Penfolds Experience, which takes you on a journey through the vineyards and underground cellars, bordered by an exclusive taste of the highly acclaimed Grange, to the Twilight Tour and Luxury Degustation Dinner featuring a seven-course wine pairing party at the farm's fine restaurant.
How to get there: Penfolds Magill Estate is located in Adelaide, just eight kilometers from the city's central business district.
Ready to find the best wineries in South Australia?
Although borders remain closed to Australia for now, the South Australian tourism industry looks forward to welcoming its international visitors when the time comes. With the year of South Australian wine highlighting the best cellar doors in Australia, travel agents looking to sell food and wine tours need look no further than 'The Wine State' for inspiration. Learn more about what South Australia has to offer here.
Credit to the South Australian Tourism Commission, see you soon mates!
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