Enjoy a Wine Tour of South Australia

South Australia is famous for its vineyards which produce over 70% of all Australia’s exported wine. As with any celebrated viticultural region, South Australia has become a place of pilgrimage for people who love wine. Wine connoisseurs who travel to the State will therefore not be disappointed visiting this ‘wine capital of Australia’, home to 17 wine regions and over 300 cellar doors. Here’s a sampling of the different types of experiences that can be enjoyed:

Wine Festival: If you are planning your visit to Adelaide early March, make a trip to the Adelaide Hills to experience all the activities during Crush, an exciting one-day event designed to showcase the best of Adelaide Hills wine and food. Sip your way around the region and savour the region’s benchmark Sauvignon Blanc, crisp sparkling wine, exciting and complex Chardonnay and sensual Pinot noir. Not to mention enticing examples of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Adelaide Hills is home to a wonderful array of unique artisan food producers.

Vineyard Retreat: Stay at Peppers The Louise, a luxury vineyard retreat on a gentle hill surrounded by hundreds of acres of vines overlooking the world renowned Barossa region. Its acclaimed onsite restaurant Appellation offers seasonal cuisine for casual elegant dining under the guidance of Executive Chef Mark McNamara. Appellation's extensive wine list presents the best of the Barossa, the rest of Australia and iconic wines of the world. An hour from Adelaide, Peppers The Louise also offers guests the ultimate experiences combining a Penfolds Make Your Own Blend Tour and a Tasting Menu at Appellation with the unique twist of having the chef create a dish to match the wine the guest has blended at Penfolds.

Riverland Adventure: On the Riverland Wine and Food Trail you are encouraged to try wines made from classic and 'new' wine grape varieties. You will also be presented with an array of distinctive flavours from traditional crops to gourmet delights and native produce. Be sure to stop at the many roadside produce stalls, factory outlets or experience the best of the seasonal produce at the Riverland farmers markets.

Classy Tour: Experience a day of stylish Barossa touring in a rare, fully air-conditioned, classic 1962 Majestic Major Daimler with wine specialist John Baldwin. The Barossa Daimler Tour offers guests the chance to taste 26 premium wines including the 100 year old Para Liqueur Tawny port, renowned as one of the world’s finest dessert wines.

Wine Making Secrets: Learn the wine making secrets of the Jesuit Monks at Clare Valley’s oldest winery, Sevenhill Cellars. The Jesuits migrated to Australia from Austria in 1848 seeking a life free from religious and political persecution. They established Sevenhill Cellars in 1851, the oldest existing winery in the Clare Valley.

Winner’s Choice: No visit to the McLaren Vale region is complete without a visit to d'Arenberg Winery. Established by the Osborn family in 1928, d’Arenberg was lauded the title ‘Winery of the Year’ (2007) for the Southern Hemisphere by the Critic’s Challenge International Wine Competition held in the United States. It has a full range of wines available for tasting in a fully restored nineteenth century homestead set amidst vineyards and natural bushland with scenic views. Visitors can also dine at d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant where lunch is served every day as well as on public holidays. Bookings are essential.

Special Pass: To make the most of one’s time during your wine pilgrimage, visitors are encouraged to buy a Cellar Door Pass as it offers premium wine tastings and tours. The Cellar Door Pass comes with a directory containing information on wineries, restaurants and special offers, free 6 bottles of wine redeemable at the 52 participating wineries, a wine discovery CD containing commentaries from leading winemakers with inside facts and tips to help create a memorable food and wine experience.

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