Major Australian Wine Regions near Adelaide
A Guide to the Barossa, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills
Apr 21, 2009
There’s been a huge boost in the profile of Australian wine in the last twenty years, with wine tourism becoming as important to Southern Australia as it is to Southern France. Three of Australia’s most prominent wine regions are easily accessible from Adelaide, within an hour reach of the city’s International airport.
Getting there
Adelaide is one of Australia’s largest cities, and has an International Airport minutes from the city centre. This is convenient for accessing hotels, tours and for those wishing to rent cars. Also, the National Wine centre is very centrally located in Adelaide, with a wealth of information available.
Major Australian Wine Regions Near Adelaide
Barossa
The most famous wine region in Australia is the Barossa Valley, only an hour north of Adelaide and home to some of Australia’s most recognisable wine brands. Names such as Jacob’s Creek at Orlando Winery, Wolf Blass, Penfolds, Grant Burge and Peter Lehmann are located in the area. The wine style of choice in the region is the big red Shiraz, for which the Barossa is world famous (and vice versa). The South Australian tourism website page on the region is very comprehensive, with accommodation, information and maps.
McLaren Vale
An hour south of Adelaide, McLaren Vale is home to dozens of smaller boutique and family owned wineries. One of the biggest advantages of the region is the close proximity of the wineries to each other, clustered conveniently around the town of McLaren Vale, which can be used as a base. Well known wineries in the area include D’arenberg, Coriole, Wirra Wirra and Hardy’s. McLaren Vale offers a good mix of quality red and white varieties, including some more unique European styles.
The Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills is home to a smaller group of wineries of the cooler climate type; specifically whites such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. On your way there, at the base of the Hills is Penfold’s cellar door, home of Australia’s most famous wine, offering tours of the cellar and vineyards all year round. The Adelaide Hills wine region is less than half an hour from the city and hosts such wineries as Nepenthe, Paracombe and O’Leary Walker.
Tours and getting around
Tours are available either from Adelaide or within each region. Staying in the region itself is a good idea, although public transport can be limited. The best ways to get around are via tours, bicycle or by car. The downside of hiring a car is having to limit blood alcohol level; the upside is greater freedom and can visit some of the more boutique wineries. Of course bicycle hire is a good alternative, and a great way to appreciate the scenery. Information about tours can be found online, with Wine Lovers Tours a good value company to start with.
Accommodation
Accommodation in each region is reasonably priced, especially with the exchange rate in Australia being good for most overseas tourists. While there aren’t a lot of budget hostels available outside of Adelaide, there are numerous Bed and Breakfast’s available accommodating short stays at reasonable prices.
Best Time to Visit
Summer is very hot and dry in Adelaide, around December to March, and also a busy time for tourists. The period just before summer around August to November is downtime for visitors and the weather is milder, so this is the ideal time to visit.
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