19 July 2024
11 mins Read
The Adelaide Hills is one of South Australia’s best wine regions – with award-winning wineries, charming cellar doors and incredible vineyard accommodation – all but a short drive from the city. With more than 50 cellar doors touting delicious cool-climate wines to choose from, we’ve made your choice a little easier, with 15 must-visit Adelaide Hills wineries.
This family-owned vineyard was established in 2001 on a former dairy just outside the historic town of Macclesfield. Set on 65 hectares, Longview Vineyard creates single-vineyard, estate-grown wines.
Longview Vineyard is on a former dairy farm. (Image: Tourism Australia / South Australian Tourism Commission)
The property’s southern location in the Adelaide Hills accounts for a slightly higher temperature for the region.
The vineyard’s undulating landscape covers all aspects and exposures creating a unique spectrum, including a large planting of nebbiolo and barbera varieties.
While away the afternoon strolling around the verdant Longview Vineyard. (Image: Tourism Australia / South Australian Tourism Commission)
The cellar door and kitchen, which serves Italian-inspired fare, are housed in a 1918 pink sandstone cottage. Stop by for a glass on any day of the week or book a tasting and lunch from Wednesday to Sunday.
The property also features accommodation including 12 suites, a restored homestead, and a brand-new lodge with a spa, if you fancy staying longer.
Sample wines on offer at the cellar door. (Image: Tourism Australia / South Australian Tourism Commission)
Address: 154 Pound Road, Macclesfield
Established in 1989 by cousins Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw, Shaw + Smith has three vineyards in Lenswood, Piccadilly and Balhannah.
Tour inside the Shaw + Smith’s cellar door. (Image: Andre Castellucci)
It grows varieties that suit the cool climate of the region – sauvignon blanc, riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and shiraz. Its contemporary tasting room in Balhannah has views of the Mount Lofty range.
Settle in for a wine flight, with the option to pair with small plates from the cold larder menu. Behind-the-scenes tours are also available.
Shaw + Smith cultivates grapes that suit the cool climate of the region. (Image: Andre Castellucci)
Address: 136 Jones Road, Balhannah
On the edge of the historic German town of Hahndorf, Hahndorf Hill is a boutique vineyard that pioneered the cultivating of Austrian grape varieties in Australia, including blaufrankisch, zweigelt, st laurent and the signature white grape gruner veltliner, which is affectionately named Gru.
Hahndorf Hill’s cellar door is set in the heart of the vineyard. (Image: Cheryl Smith)
Set in the heart of the vineyard, the cellar door is open Monday to Saturday, offering wine flights, glasses, cheese platters, chocolate and wine matching and even ice cream and wine matching.
Delight in wine and cheese platters at Hahndorf Hill. (Image: Cheryl Smith)
Address: 38 Pain Road, Hahndorf
Fifth-generation vigneron Simon Tolley is a traditionalist, creating small batches of high-quality wine at his 22-hectare Adelaide Hills winery.
Simon Tolley produces small batches of high-quality wine. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
Flavour-rich and balanced, Tolley’s wine varieties include syrah, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. The cellar door is open Thursday to Monday and serves produce platters, breadboards and jaffles with wine tasting.
Guests can also opt to stay among the vineyards in Simon Tolley Lodge, which accommodates 10 guests in five bedrooms and has sprawling vineyard views.
Cosy up by the fire on cold days. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
Address: 278 Bird in Hand Road, Woodside
On the outskirts of Lobethal, this family-owned winery is situated on 32 hectares high in the Adelaide Hills. Here they grow sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot gris, pinot noir, shiraz and savagnin.
Share wines and snacks overlooking the vineyard. (Image: Adelaide Hills Wine Region)
The tasting room is located within the stone barn and is open daily, offering structured wine flights paired with bite-sized dishes crafted in the on-site restaurant Gingko, which serves seasonal plates designed to share. Children are also welcome, with specially designed kids’ flights.
Pair your wine with seasonal plates on offer. (Image: Adelaide Hills Wine Region)
Amp up your tasting by booking a Nido Experience, where you’re served a five-course lunch and wines in a hand-woven nest-like space on the vineyard; a Wine Safari, during which you’ll explore the property stopping for wine tasting and snacks along the way; or a Picnic Experience, whether that’s a group picnic with table service or a bespoke hamper to enjoy on the lawn.
Enjoy the Nido Experience in a hand-woven nest-like space. (Image: Meaghan Coles)
Address: 52 Western Branch Road, Lobethal
Greenhill Wines is in the Piccadilly Valley, where you come for the wine and stay for the seasonally driven Mediterranean menu.
Sit down for a glass of pinot noir or chardonnay. (Image: Greenhill Wines)
The cafe and cellar door are housed within a 144-year-old cottage with views over the valley and to Mount Bonython. The Adelaide Hills winery is part of the Piccadilly Trail, a region that specialises in pinot noir and chardonnay.
The trail comprises three other local wineries: Ashton Hills Vineyard, CRFT Wines and Tapanappa.
Greenhill Wines is nestled in the Piccadilly Valley. (Image: Isaac Forman)
Address: 1016 Greenhill Road, Summertown
Set on 42 hectares in Balhannah, close to the village of Hahndorf, The Lane first started producing wine in the 1990s, staying committed to creating quality, handcrafted wines to this day. The contemporary Tasting Room is open daily and overlooks the vineyards and state-of-the-art winery. The Restaurant serves a five-course Provenance menu using local ingredients. The outdoor Terrace is a relaxing space to enjoy a glass of wine from the kiosk bar.
At the Tasting Room, guests can book tasting flights, a blend-your-own experience or a degustation experience with matched wines and small dishes available. For something truly memorable, there’s an Ultimate ATV Experience around the property with a winemaker, an Elevated Tasting Flight, which also includes a private helicopter and gin-tasting experience, and more.
Address: 5 Ravenswood Lane, Hahndorf
This 32-hectare family-owned vineyard in Woodside is known not only for its award-winning cool-climate wines but also for its food and arts offerings.
Bird in Hand is a well-known Adelaide Hills winery. (Image: Erik Rosenberg)
The grounds here are adorned with original works including sculptures in the gardens and paintings throughout the buildings. And its on-site restaurant LVN has recently been reimagined with sleek and chic interiors with a curated collection of Australian art; its dishes are plated like works of art themselves.
Its cellar door is open daily, hosting guided wine flights and a seasonal snack menu. Guests can enjoy their tasting in the Mediterranean-style terraced gardens or by the fire in the barrel hall.
Wine and dine at the sleek and chic winery. (Image: Meaghan Coles)
Address: 150 Pfeiffer Road, Woodside
Making small-batch, hand-crafted artisanal wines, Sinclair’s Gully in Norton Summit is known for its sparkling with four of their fizzy drops rated more than 91 points by James Halliday. You can book a session at the rustic cellar door to make your very own bottle of bubbles to take home. Or come to enjoy one of the many live music events held here under shady gums on the property, where you can BYO picnic and enjoy with a glass of wine.
Address: 288 Colonial Drive, Norton Summit
This Woodside winery has been producing tempranillo, sauvignon blanc, fiano, chardonnay and pinot noir at its cool-climate winery since 1997.
Barristers Block is surrounded by large lawns and sprawling vineyards. (Image: Ryan Cantwell)
Today the property also includes The Kitchen, where tasting platters and woodfired pizza are served daily, and The Villa, a three-bedroom accommodation surrounded by lush countryside. It also hosts events from wine-tasting experiences to live music.
The beauty is, you can take your kids along and they’ll have just as much fun. There are large lawns, a sandpit for playing and an enclosure with farm animals, including chickens, geese, horses and sheep.
Spend an afternoon at Barristers Block. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
Address: 141 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Woodside
This is Adelaide Hill’s largest certified sustainable winery spread over 91 hectares of vineyards.
The grapes here are hand-picked, sheep are used to return organic fertiliser, reduce chemical input and machinery use, and solar runs 50 per cent of the facility’s consumption. It has also achieved Five Red Star Accreditation from James Halliday, and its cellar door and restaurant in Hahndorf are a must-visit.
Located in the old apple shed at the front of the estate, guests can enjoy interactive wine flights (including a zero-alcohol wine flight), wine-tasting masterclasses and even a class to learn the art of Sabrage.
Sidewood Estate is Adelaide Hill’s largest certified sustainable winery. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
Address: 6 River Road, Hahndorf
This boutique family-owned Lenswood vineyard is rated five stars by James Halliday and boasts some of the best views in the region.
Soak up views of the vineyard at Mt Lofty Ranges. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
Established in 1992 on a former apple orchard, single-vineyard wine varieties include shiraz, sauvignon blanc, riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir.
The hosted wine tastings take guests from vineyard to glass, accompanied by canapes from the restaurant. Take a seat for lunch or a Friday night sunset dinner alongside live music on the timber deck or inside by the fireplace.
Take a seat for lunch or a sunset dinner. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
Address: 166 Harris Road, Lenswood
This boutique winery in Longwood is owned by a husband-and-wife team. Hamish Laurie, whose great-great-grandmother was South Australia’s first female winemaker, and Kate Laurie, who trained at Lycée Viticole d’Avize in Champagne. Because of this, Deviation Road is known for its award-winning sparkling.
Deviation Road is known for its award-winning sparkling. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
The tasting room is nestled on the 50-hectare property, a short drive from Stirling, and is opened daily. Seasonal guided wine flights can be accompanied by the all-day grazing menu designed to share.
There’s also a small selection of beer and non-alcoholic drinks available.
Pair your wine with a grazing platter. (Image: Ryan Cantwell)
Address: 207 Scotts Creek Road, Longwood
In 1986, fifth-generation winemaker Geoff Hardy – a descendent of wine industry pioneer Thomas Hardy – established this cool-climate vineyard in the Kuitpo region of the Adelaide Hills.
The family-owned and operated winery was named K1 because it was the first commercial planting of vines in the region.
K1 By Geoff Hardy’s winery estate has a decidedly alpine feel.
Guests arrive via an avenue of trees to a lakehouse that houses the charming cellar door, which is centred around a handcrafted wooden bench crafted from a 400-year-old red gum and has a decidedly alpine feel.
Enjoy a tasting of K1’s single-vineyard wines and a cheese platter on the deck overlooking the lake, or book a horse ride through the vines with Bluestone Equestrian Centre (subject to availability).
Inside the charming lakehouse, you’ll find the cellar door. (Image: Andrew Correll)
Address: 159 Tynan Road, Kuitpo
Cobbs Hill Estate dates to the mid-1800s, when the property was used as pastures for horses employed to pull the Cobb & Co. stagecoaches.
Sip on estate-grown sparkling, white and red varieties from the menu. (Image: Ryan Cantwell)
Today the 100-hectare property comprises farmland for cattle and sheep and 28 hectares of vineyards, which were planted more than two decades ago. As well as estate-grown sparkling, white and red varieties, Cobbs Hill Estate makes gin. The cellar door is open daily for tastings, with exclusive wine masterclasses also available to book.
The on-site Terrace & Garden Dining serves a farm-to-plate menu using local and estate-grown produce, or pre-book a romantic picnic for two, which comes with a bottle of wine and can be savoured in the garden with sprawling views of the vineyards and beyond.
Drink wine overlooking the vines at Cobbs Hill Estate. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
Address: 382 Swamp Road, Oakbank
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No thanks, I like to travel solo
Sinclair’s Gully is a real little gem, and the Hahndorf Hill team also offer ice cream and wine pairing, together with their famous chocolate and wine pairings.