The first thing that comes to mind at the mention of South Australia is wine – and with good reason. Some of the country’s best wine comes from this part of the nation, and there are literally hundreds of wineries – from boutique producers to some of Australia’s best known brands – within a few hours drive of Adelaide. Here is a selection of 10 of them.

Sorting the grapes... wine in the making.

Magill Estate

Owned by one of Australia’s best-known wine brands, Penfolds Wine, Magill Estate is about 15 minutes drive from Adelaide with a cellar door offering a range of tastings from the winemaker’s range along with an impressive selection to purchase, Additionally, there is also a restaurant here, allowing diners to enjoy a meal paired with the appropriate wines as they enjoy the views over the estate.

Wolf Blass

Positioned in the legendary Barossa Valley winemaking district, about 90 minutes north of Adelaide, the Wolf Blass winery is where highly-regarded vintner Wolfgang Blass AM established his first winery in 1973.

Today, the winery is home to an impressive visitor’s centre, which includes a wall with a bottle of every Black Label vintage produced since it was established, while the cellar door also offers classes on blending and tasting, as well as coffees and light snacks.

Wirra Wirra

Located in McLaren Vale, Wirra Wirra Wines have several vineyards and are responsible for a range of popular wines. Their cellar door offers a complete range of the company’s wines for tasting as well as barbecue facilities and Wi-Fi. Further, it is family-friendly, welcoming children and pets, with plenty on offer to entertain children while adults responsible sample some of the winery’s products.

Indulge in a few reds at the source, at a winery near Adelaide.

Yalumba

Australia’s oldest family winery dates back to 1849 and is also notable as being one of fewer than half a dozen wineries in the world to have its own cooperage for barrel-making. Located near Angastone in the Barossa Valley, its Wine Room was once a brandy bond store and is complemented by pleasant views and also offers a selection of tours and wine masterclasses.

Grant Burge Winery 

The highly-regarded Grant Burge Winery’s cellar door is in Tanunda, in the Barossa Valley and offers the usual array of wine tastings as well as coffees, light meals and impressive views of the surrounding area. The winery’s Meshach Cellar can also be hired for private events and tastings as well as functions.

Wynns

Noted for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz varietals, the Wynns Winery was the first one in the Coonawarra Region, originally established in 1891 after John Riddoch identified its distinctive red soil as being ideal for grape growing. The current winery was established in 1951 after Samuel and David Wynn purchased it, and the cellar door is located in the original and distinctive triple-gabled winery which features prominently on the winery’s labels.

Winding vineyards set a picturesque scene in South Australia.

Shaw & Smith

Nestled in the Adelaide Hills wine region just outside the city, Shaw & Smith winery is a well-regarded one in the winemaking world and features a cellar door and tasting room offering a sample of five wines accompanied by a cheese platter. In the summer time, the terrace is a popular place to enjoy some of the winery’s output, while in winter a fireplace warms guests inside as they enjoy the views.

Henschke 

Six generations of winemakers have contributed to the Henschke label, located in South Australia’s Eden Valley. Its best-known product is a Shiraz known as Hill of Grace. The historic stone cellar door was built in the 1860s and offers a range of the maker’s products along with VIP tours, tastings and experiences.

Ashton Hills Vineyard 

Founded in 1982, the three-acre winery is well-known among wine lovers for its cool-climate Pinot Noir, Reisling and Sparkling wines. Located in the Piccadilly Valley of the Adelaide Hills, Ashton Hills Vineyard features a rustic cellar door offering a range of the vineyard’s produce with a scenic backdrop.

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