The Adelaide Hills is the closest wine region to Adelaide’s CBD, in approximately 20 minutes you can be up in ‘The Hills’ enjoying a crisp glass of something delicious from this cool climate wine region. The Adelaide Hills is one of the largest geographical wine regions in Australia, it stretches in a narrow band approximately 70km long with a diverse array of soils, topography and climate.
“Bordered by the Barossa Valley to the North and McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek to the South, the Adelaide Hills is the cool climate jewel between our warmer lower lying cousins”
Adelaide Hills Wine, 2022
History
The Adelaide Hills is the traditional land of the Peramangk people but Mount Lofty was named in 1802 by European settlers as the highest point in the Adelaide Hills. The European settlers included the Germans; the central town of Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest-surviving German settlement, as well as the Brits who established villages such as Stirling and Crafers in the cool, leafy hills as it reminded them of home.
The first vineyard was planted in 1836 and from 1840 to 1900 there were around 200 grape growers in the region. However, many of those early vineyards went bankrupt in the early 1900s when Australian exports to the UK fell out of favour. But luckily a new group of pioneers recognised the area for what it could be and began planting in the 70s and 80s. Today there are around 90 wineries and about 50 of those have cellar doors so plenty to explore and enjoy!
Geography
The relatively high altitude makes this a distinctly cool climate region compared to its famous neighbours the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. This helps produce grapes that have loads of flavour and varietal character whilst retaining the natural acidity that’s so important. The Adelaide Hills actually boasts one of the highest diurnal temperature variations (difference between day/night time temperatures) in Australia. Again this variation helps to retain balancing acidity and aromas creating fresh, elegant and delicious wines!
Wine
The Adelaide Hills is a relatively young wine region renowned for cool-climate classics like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. New alternative varieties are also coming into prominence. Sauvignon Blanc accounts for a third of the crush as the region’s cool but sunny climate is well suited to this variety.
There are some fantastic wineries to visit in this region including Shaw and Smith, Murdoch Hill (read about my visit to these wineries here), or if you fancy a bit of sparkle Deviation Road and Bird in Hand are just around the corner. Ashton Hills has an international reputation as one of Australia’s best Pinot Noir producers.
If it’s hospitality you’re after visit The Lane for a fabulous lunch with a gorgeous restaurant looking out over the vines or for the complete Hills experience I’m dying to try Mount Lofty House with award winning restaurant, an incredible cellar and luxury 5 star accommodation. Last but not least you can’t miss Tapanappa owned by Brian Croser, a legend of the Australian wine industry. Read about my visit to Tapanappa here.
This is naming just a few, for a complete guide to the Adelaide Hills cellar doors, click here
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