McLaren Vale
Bondar/Lino Ramble/Sherrah
3-in-1, cheating? A perfect start to the day - a true intro to the Vale. Three producers under one roof, the full rainbow of varieties that thrive in McLaren Vale’s Mediterranean climate: from chenin to grillo, bastardo to nero, grenache to mataro; from fun to serious.
148 McMurtrie Rd, McLaren Vale
Coriole
Follow the olive trees… Coriole cellar door, restaurant, and winery are set amongst some of the oldest vines in McLaren Vale. Now three generations in, the Lloyd family were early adopters of ‘alternative’ varieties in the region, particularly Italian varieties. A big part of McLaren Vale’s history, they have never rested on their laurels. From the gardens to the vines, Coriole carries a strong sense of place.
Chaffeys Rd, McLaren Vale
Samuel’s Gorge
Finish at the top… of the Onkaparinga Gorge. Samuel’s Gorge offers the most rustic, intimate cellar door experience. A preserved 1853 built farm shed sets the stage for some of McLaren Vale’s most sought-after red wines. Sit on the stonewall and watch the sun go down over the beautiful steep slopes of the Onkaparinga Gorge. Justin, if you catch him, will take good care of you.
Chaffeys Rd, McLaren Vale
Eat at Muni
One of the most exciting places to eat in South Australia. Taiwanese-inspired cooking with plenty of twists. Delicate, complex, energetic food matched with ever-evolving lo-fi wine and sake lists. Mug and Chia are craftspeople with a passion for sustainable food systems and hospitality.
Adelaide Hills
Ashton Hills
A classic, and for good reason. One of the best sites for pinot noir in theHills, intuitively discovered by one of the Hills’ early pioneers, Stephen George. Now owned by Wirra Wirra (McLaren Vale), a shift to organic viticulture and a continued focus on premium cool-climate wines sees Ashton Hills leading the rise of Adelaide Hills as one of Australia’s most exciting wine regions.
126 Tregarthen Road, Ashton
Commune of Buttons
Winery visits are by appointment only so best to aim for their Open Cellar Day in May. The Button family arecustodians of a 70-acre forest and vineyard in the Basket Range sub-region of the Adelaide Hills. One of the flag-bearers for Australia’s natural wine movement, Jasper and Sophie (second generation) make pure and refined sparkling and table wines from organically managed vineyards both in Basket Range and the broader Piccadilly Valley. The Commune’s driveway makes for good Adelaide Hills driving practice.
828B Lobethal Rd, Basket Range
CRFT
Winemakers Candice and Frewin live on their certified organic Arranmore vineyard in the high Carey Gully sub-region of the Adelaide Hills. Pinot, chardonnay and grüner veltliner are the focus, with a small Barossa offering of Mencia and Shiraz (anod to Candice’s birthplace). Taste through their several single-vineyard bottlings of each variety in a restored 19th century shearing shed. Keep your eyes peeled for wild porcini mushrooms around here.
45 Rangeview Dr, Carey Gully
Eat at Thelma
The terrific trio of Tom Campbell, Olivia Moore and James Spreadbury bring together their global experience to showcase the very best of South Australian produce. Farm-to-table (and ocean-to-table, when Tom finds the time) food served in symphony with local and international wines inside a small, European-style bistro in the quaint township of Piccadilly.
Barossa Valley
Alkina
For the nerds. An ambitious project bringing together some of the great global minds in viticulture and winemaking, set on an expansive property managed using organic and biodynamics principles. Terroir-driven wines based on ‘polygons’ of specific geologies including limestone, schist and quartzite, through the lens of grenache and shiraz. Dig in.
41 Victor Road, Greenock
Eperosa
One of the most lovely, thoughtful and passionate people in the wine industry. Brett Grocke has a family history written in winegrowing. Visit Brett at his off-grid, underground winery for a one-on-one tasting of some of the rarest old vine wines in the country. Barossa’s treasured heritage is on full display here: unadulterated wines that speak of site and season.
24 Maria Street, Tanund
Smallfry
The Barossa is a warm place, as is Wayne and Suzi’s cellar door located in the historic town of Angaston. Viticulturists first, winemakers second, Wayne andSuzi grow grapes using organic and biodynamic principles for their Smallfry wines. The Barossa is by no means a one-trick-pony, Wayne and Suzi will prove it. Pet-nats, skin-contact whites, light reds, everything beyond and in between.
13 Murray St, Angaston
EAT AT CASA CARBONI
Well, while you’re in Angaston, stroll down to Casa Carboni – Italian cooking school and enoteca. Matteo and Fiona offer up classic regional Italian cooking utilising Barossa’s seasonal produce with a keen eye for quality. In support, a very fine Euro-centric wine list and gift shop.