Adelaide Hills Wine Region

Of the many valleys and rises of South Australia, Adelaide Hills is one of the largest wine regions in the area. It also has the distinction of being the oldest wine region in this part of the country: the first vines were planted in the mid-19th century. Since then, mor e than 50 wineries have emerged and developed to some of the finest in the country, covering the region's lands between the Barossa and Eden valleys and the northern Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale.

The region is a mere 20 minutes from the city of Adelaide and is centred around the town of Mount Barker, which is quickly growing into one of the prosperous towns in this part of the country. The diverse range of grape varieties in the area comes as a result of the foreign settlers moving into the area in the mid-19th century. Architectural elements of the churches and schools still reflect the foreign influences.

Its location in the Lofty Mountain ranges is known worldwide for its natural beauty and, of course, the wineries scattered throughout its rolling hills and valleys. The lands are also used to grow fruits like strawberries, cherries and pears, lending itself well to the cultivation of premium wines, specifically Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. These are the flagship wines of the region, but Merlot, Shiraz, Semillon and Cabernet Sauvignon also flourish in Adelaide Hills.

The Adelaide Hills wine region is at its most beautiful during autumn. It's also at this time that the grapes go through their initial fermentation processes after the April harvests.

The international heritage in the area also gave way to other interesting varieties emerging. Winemakers from this region are open to experimenting with Sangiovese and Nebbiolo from Italy and Trollinger and Lemberge from Germany.

Adelaide Hills is divided into two sub-regions: Lenswood and Piccadilly Valley. Lenswood specialises in Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Merlot. Sparkling wines are also a popular here, especially with the cold snap lending itself towards the crisp freshness of these bubbly varieties. Piccadilly Valley mainly produces strong Chardonnays and sparkling wines.

Over half of the wineries have cellar doors open to the public, and it's a regional pastime to drive into the Adelaide Hills wine region for an afternoon of tasting. The climate varies depending on the location of the winery, but the region is predominantly cooler than other Australian wine regions. The fruit is allowed to ripen slowly and reach maturity at its own pace, thanks to high altitude coupled with the rainy spring seasons. The average temperature in this region is lower than on the surrounding slopes and hills, making it the ideal tourist destination for those who want to escape the sweltering heat.

You’ll find more wineries from Adelaide Hills wine region by clicking here:  Wineries from Adelaide Hills