Read on to learn more about the best wine trails across Australia, which include historic vineyards and a variety of delicious and world-famous blends.
When you think of iconic wine regions, it is easy to turn your mind to the world-famous makers situated across mainland Europe. But the truth is, the southern hemisphere, with its unique climates and weather patterns, is home to some of the best wine blends in the world, and Australia is no exception.
Whether you enjoy a comforting glass of Brown Brothers red wine with your dinner each night or prefer a small indulgence over the weekend, South Australia’s iconic wine regions offer a wide range of blends and varieties to suit every palette. One visit to this location is enough to understand why travelers from around the world make the trip to visit these historic vineyards, perfectly complemented by the natural beauty of this fantastic country.
Barossa Wine Region
Barossa Valley is one of the best wine valleys in the world. With over 80 cellar doors to explore, visitors to the region can enjoy plenty of delicious locally grown produce while sampling some of the best wine blends they will ever taste, perfectly created from some of the oldest vineyards on planet Earth.
Barossa is particularly popular with red wine drinkers, who continue to return time and time again to indulge in the legendary Shiraz, a smooth and robust blend with just the perfect amount of spice. Wine critic Jancis Robinson dubbed it ‘Australia’s quintessential wine region,’ and its convenient location just outside of Adelaide makes it a must-visit for all wine lovers.
Eden Valley
Eden Valley wine region, affectionately dubbed the ‘Garden of Grape and Gums,’ is a scenic wonder of rolling farmlands, perfectly contoured vineyards, and ancient gum trees. It gained its name after the word ‘Eden,’ which was found carved into a tree by early settlers in 1847.
With a collection of boutique cellar doors boarding the region, endless opportunities exist to enjoy this incredible part of the country. Just a short drive from the historic Barossa Valley, visitors can stop by Fernfield, Henschke, or Brockenchack to grab a glass of the region’s signature cool-climate blends, including riesling and a full-bodied shiraz.
McLaren Vale
Located only 40 minutes from the center of Adelaide, McLaren Vale, the oldest wine region in South Australia, offers the best of wine culture and coastal charm. With over 80 cellar doors to choose from, featuring unique architectural masterpieces like a revamped double-decker bus or a giant Rubik’s cube, this patchwork of green vines set against the backdrop of Australia’s most stunning coastline is a must-visit location.
Thanks to a favorable Mediterranean-like climate, the region is renowned for rich Shiraz blends and premium grenache. However, you will be pleasantly surprised to discover popular Spanish and Italian varieties, including Fiano, Vermentino, Sangiovese, and Tempranillo.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is likely the most unusual wine region in Australia. Despite being ravaged by the deadly wild bushfires of 2019/2020, the area has since found new life. It perfectly combines unspoiled beaches, desert dunes, and a wide range of native wildlife with remote and fairly untamed vineyards, making it the prime location for a day out under the warm Australian sun.
This relatively new wine region brings together a unique blend of boutique cellar doors and experimental drops that will entice and excite wine lovers everywhere. Located 15 km below mainland South Australia, guests can visit False Cape Wines to learn more about how a cellar door was created from recycled materials or take in the breathtaking panoramic views at Dudley Wines.
Adelaide Hills
Adelaide Hills is a standout location within South Australia’s wine region, thanks to its award-winning cool-climate wines and convenient location on the doorstep of central Adelaide. Among the hustle and bustle of the busy CBD, you will stumble across sprawling vineyards, steep rolling hills, and plenty of well-known cellar doors, including The Lane Vineyard, Golding Wines, and Shaw + Smith.
The region gains its creative inspiration from the artists, winemakers, and producers who call it home, as well as the historic European-influenced towns, including Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest German settlement.
Langhorne Creek
The Langhorne Creek wine region is home to the oldest recorded cabernet sauvignon vines in the world. The area is filled with fifth-generation families working the fertile flood plains to produce some of the best premium wines in the country.
Just one hour away from Adelaide, visitors can sip delicious South Australian wines in a stunning renovated stable dating back to 1866 at Bremerton Wines, float above the vineyards in a unique, architecturally designed shipping container at Kimbolton Wines, or take in 160 years of history at Bleasdale.
Clare Valley
If spending the day taking a leisurely bike ride through a landscape filled with old stone buildings, sprawling green vineyards, beautiful gum trees, and plenty of opportunities to stop and sip delicious wine sounds like the ideal day out, Clare Valley is going to be a welcomed adventure.
The enjoyable and inviting 35 km cycle track winds through this picture-perfect countryside location, passing quaint cellar doors like Sevenhill Cellars and Pike Wines. Globally known as Australia’s riesling capital, the area is known for its premium blends and rich history, with a winemaking heritage that dates back over 160 years.