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One of the marvellous things about Adelaide is its proximity to some of Australia’s best wine regions. With the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale all within an hour’s drive of the city centre, there is no shortage of cellar doors to please even the pickiest wine connoisseur. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. The wineries listed below are all tried and tested, filled with memorable characters, beautiful vistas and, most importantly, some seriously impressive wine.
Seppeltsfield Barossa
Lined with date palms, the road to Seppeltsfield offers a grand entrance. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, tour the Centenary Cellar and enjoy the thrill of tasting something akin to liquid gold from the year you were born. Dine on exquisite contemporary food at Seppeltsfield’s beautiful Fino restaurant, either in the fireside dining room, the garden-view veranda or the European-style garden terrace. Do a vineyard tour by Segway, visit the Fine Art Gallery and the JamFactory craft and design centre, or learn the craft of barrel making in the cooperage. There’s so much to do here, you’ll want to spend the whole day.
Smallfry
Smallyfry is, as the name suggests, a small-batch operation run by the charismatic Wayne Ahrens. His philosophy is one of minimal intervention and his Barossa winery is certified biodynamic. This approach results in wonderful flavours, distinct differences between the vintages and, as a general rule, less chance of a hangover. The wines themselves, coupled with Wayne’s passion for talking about what he does and how he creates, makes for a unique and personal tasting experience which is highly recommended.
Sellick’s Hill Wines
This place in an absolute pleasure. It’s also slightly dangerous, given winemaker Paul Petagna’s leaning towards very generous tastings. While the cellar door is charming, the real magic happens in ‘The Shed’ where tastings are done straight from the barrel amongst the earthy smell of fermentation. Located 45 minutes’ drive from Adelaide, this McLaren Vale vineyard focuses on the big, gutsy reds the region in known for. Try the Diavolo and the Valetta Shiraz blend: you’ll be sending a box back home in no time.
Primo Estate
Also in McLaren Vale – just a 15-minute drive from Sellick’s Hill – Primo Estate is one for gourmands. The range is varied and includes some unusual offerings, such as the Sparkling Red, Pecorino (yes, it’s a wine, not a cheese!) and Fronti Fortified, which is equally delicious drizzled over ice-cream. Speaking of drizzling, Primo also makes its own range of olive oils, which you can taste alongside the wine with thick crusty bread.
Penfolds Magill Estate
Just a short 15-minute drive from Adelaide’s CBD is Penfolds’ beautiful Magill Estate. Offering sweeping vineyard views, a sophisticated interior and an extensive tasting list, it is a wonderful place to nestle into for a couple of hours. The long glass cabinet of former chief winemaker Max Schubert’s personal collection of Grange is enough to excite any wine buff and, for those who enjoy a bit of history, a tour through the cellar and vines provides an engaging run down of the vineyard’s evolution. If you’re feeling peckish afterwards, the on-site restaurant offers numerous temptations, with beautiful wine pairings, including some special vintages.
When the Wining and Dining is Done
After a busy day of wine tasting, it’s time to put your feet up at the brand-new Vibe Hotel Adelaide - SA's newest lifestyle hotel. Or, for a taste of history consider Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury. This home away from home is one of the oldest and most historically significant buildings in South Australia with a lovely courtyard garden, heated pool and beautifully preserved historic features.
