South Australia is the home of award-winning culinary experiences and a weekend away in Adelaide gives visitors a chance to slow down, take a deep breath and devour food and wine that warms the heart and soul. As the Year of South Australian Wine, we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a gourmet getaway exploring South Australia’s best wine regions this Autumn.
The quiet stillness of the picturesque countryside, gourmet feasts and hosted wine tasting sessions at unique cellar doors are inviting to all those with busy lifestyles. A wine weekend in South Australia is a mini holiday that almost everybody can manage to squeeze in. And, Autumn is the perfect time to visit with Mother Nature putting on a colourful display as the foliage transforms into vibrant hues to brighten your travels.
Here are three wine regions that you can enjoy during a gourmet getaway in Adelaide. Let your tastebuds lead the way with extraordinary experiences that will leave you wanting to come back to South Australia for more.
The Barossa is one of South Australia’s most renowned wine regions and a haven for foodies. Visitors will find award-winning wineries alongside gourmet food producers and relaxing country retreats. For those on a short gourmet weekend in Adelaide, the Barossa is completely accessible on a day trip or overnight stay.
Leave the car keys behind and relax with a Barossa Valley Hop On Hop Off Tour with Adelaide transfers. There’s no need for a designated driver with a local guide at the wheel taking you to the very best wineries in the Barossa. For an interactive wine making experience, stop by to Penfolds for a wine blending experience with the winemakers. You’ll get to make your own blend of wine according to your taste buds and leave with a personalised bottle to take home with you.
Seppeltsfield Wines also offer a unique wine tasting experience not offered anywhere else in Australia. Housed in their Centennial Cellar, you’ll find 100-year-old vintages and the one of a kind opportunity to taste wine from your birth year.
If you are a return visitor to the Barossa or perhaps you want to experience the wine region from a different perspective, rise early for a hot air balloon ride above the vineyards and a front-row seat to a magical sunrise. Or, enjoy the fresh country air and hop between cellar doors in style with a personalised Barossa Valley Trike and Wine Tour for up to three passengers to the wineries of your choosing.
The Adelaide Hills is the closest wine region to the city and may be a preferred option for those who aren’t keen on travelling too far away from their accommodation. With more than 50 wineries to choose from, you won’t be short of gourmet food and wine tasting options.
Nestled in the Adelaide Hills, Hahndorf is one of Australia’s oldest surviving German settlements. Adding a European flair to a South Australian town, visitors are treated to a bustling main street filled with German pubs and artisan small goods and food outlets. For those without a car, the Adelaide Hills Wineries and Hahndorf Tour with lunch showcases the highlights of the region. Treat yourself to a day of sipping wine at two cellar doors, taste testing at cheese factories, chocolate shops, strawberry farms and a 2-course lunch at a German pub.
For independent travellers, we recommend the hop on hop off option so you can take part in wine tasting without worrying about the driving. One of the wineries not to be missed is The Lane Vineyard which features spectacular views while you are downing a Shiraz. Or take part in a fun wine blending session.
The Adelaide Hills are also home to the world-famous skincare range Jurlique. Take a break from the wine tasting and join a farm tour of their headquarters. See for yourself how the biodynamic farm grows and produces the flowers, herbs and plants and turns them into natural products that will leave your skin glowing. They have a gift shop too so you may want to pick up a few gifts for you and the family. Go ahead and spoil yourself.
Just 45 minutes from Adelaide, a dynamic wine region full of charming villages, rolling hills and a Shiraz Trail can be found in McLaren Vale. Lovers of rich, layered wines will simply adore McLaren Vale, a region well known for its Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Tempranillo and many more unique wine varieties.
The cool climate is splendid for the growth of wine but what makes McLaren Vale extra special is its close proximity to stunning coastal beaches in the Fleurieu Peninsula. You can enjoy the best of both worlds in one day with a visit to this region.
We understand that it can be overwhelming to decide which wineries to visit but a McLaren Vale hop on hop off tour makes it a little easier for you to choose. With the transport taken care of, all you need to do is decide which cellar door to jump off at on the day. Hourly buses will return to collect you so can continue your adventures throughout the region sipping wine all the way through McLaren Vale.
From the d’Arenburg cube set amongst the vines to the Beach Road Winery with a gorgeous view of the property and woodfired pizzas to warm you up on an Autumn day. No visit to McLaren Vale is ever the same with such a huge variety of cellar doors to explore during your wine weekend getaway in Adelaide.
Reward your wonder with a visit to South Australia. Whether you are planning an extended holiday or you can only manage to fit a short break into your busy lifestyles, we have a curated range of experiences that will make your visit to Adelaide extraordinary. Discover all the top things to do in Adelaide, McLaren Vale, Barossa and Hahndorf right here at your fingertips. If you’re ready for an Autumn escape, pack your bags and book your South Australia experiences online here.