Adelaide wine area visit .. suggestions

[sanne]

I’ve been tasked with organising a visit to the wine regions of Adelaide. There are 2 couples, we all like red wine and preferably like to share some luxury accommodation that is self catering so we can do our own breakfast and enjoy the occasional light dinner at home after a large lunch at one of the wineries.

Non of us has been to this area before and we plan on spending around 6/7 days.

I’d really appreciate some advice on where to stay, what to see and vineyards not to miss. We’ll have a car. Thanks.

 

[Pushka]

Oh so much choice here. Can't go wrong with an Airbnb at Barossa Valley. Bro and SIl did this last week at a stayz luxury accommodation they booked. Two bedrooms. They are are a bit fussy and loved it. Saturday morning at the local markets. Gin distillery - Shiraz Gin known as the best Gin in the world they told me. And then there's the usual multiple wineries. Maggie Beer kitchen. Could do a day visit to Clare and have lunch at Skillogallee. And more wineries. There are many trip reports I think.

Then there's McLaren Vale down South.

 

[VPS]

So many options really.

Barossa, McLaren Vale or Adelaide Hills or Clare Valley.

When you decide on the area I can recommend restaurants and wineries.

I think I'd try and find the accommodation you want and then work from there. Tanunda in the Barossa is a good base and has some 2BR apartments. Maybe see what you can find on AirBnb

 

[luckypierre]

Oh so much choice here. Can't go wrong with an Airbnb at Barossa Valley. Bro and SIl did this last week at a stayz luxury accommodation they booked. Two bedrooms. They are are a bit fussy and loved it. Saturday morning at the local markets. Gin distillery - Shiraz Gin known as the best Gin in the world they told me. And then there's the usual multiple wineries. Maggie Beer kitchen. Could do a day visit to Clare and have lunch at Skillogallee. And more wineries. There are many trip reports I think.

Then there's McLaren Vale down South.

All good suggestions. We’re big fans of the Clare valley, a little quieter than Barossa and McClaren Vale, Picturesque scenery, great wineries and history. Check out the historic town of Mintaro, great pub Magpie and Stump, Reilly’s wine tasting and restaurant across the road. A visit to nearby Martindale Hall a must along with historic Sevenhill winery and church.
A nice lunch at Skillogalee always enjoyable.( just happen to be partaking of a 2018 Skillogalee “the cabinets” as I write this, by chance). If you’re passing through Adelaide a visit to Magill Estate (Penfolds) worthwhile and enjoy a nice brunch or lunch at Magill Estate kitchen.

 

[Daver6]

I'm a fan of Clare for the same reasons. IMHO, its the most beautiful too. Cycling the Riesling trail was a blast.

Romantic, Boutique Accommodation Adelaide Hills SA - Mount Lofty House in the Adelaide Hills is a decent place to stay or if you really want to splurge there is SEQUOIA Lodge | Adelaide Hills Luxury Accommodation | Official Website right next door.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I'm a fan of Clare for the same reasons. IMHO, its the most beautiful too. Cycling the Riesling trail was a blast.

Romantic, Boutique Accommodation Adelaide Hills SA - Mount Lofty House in the Adelaide Hills is a decent place to stay or if you really want to splurge there is SEQUOIA Lodge | Adelaide Hills Luxury Accommodation | Official Website right next door.

Sequoia looks interesting.

 

[sanne]

Thanks everyone for your input. Lots to digest and research. Recommendations are always a great way to start.

 

[StayGoldPonyboy]

Clare valley is wonderful... Definitely go to Martindale Hall (slightly spooky in parts) and Skillogalee.
We stayed at a golf resort not flash but I remember it being was v good (was a long time ago though).

 

[Tehu]

Sequoia looks interesting.

Hi there....new kid here, so hello

I stayed at Sequoia about a month back and it is excellent. The restaurant at Mount Lofty House was great also.

6-7 days is a good slab of time to explore the wine regions around Adelaide.

In the Barossa, the JHA Stone Cellar on Hutton Vale Farm is excellent as a base.... the farm is wedged between the Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone vineyards....and the Angas family are wonderful hosts (Disclaimer: I lived in the old 1842 stone cottage on their 2000 acre farm for 8 years so I know the family really well.)

JHA Stone Cellar

I'd aim for a weekend in the Barossa.... maybe Otherness or Vintners for dinner the first night, farmers market on Saturday morning to stock up for a dinner.....visits I'd aim for Henschke and Yalumba in the Eden Valley.
Rieslingfreaks new cellar door is lovely if you like riesling and you could basically spend a day just doing visits on Krondorf Road with St Hallett, Rieslingfreak, Rockford, Charles Melton, Ollin Wines and Eperosa.
Alkina in Greenock is a great visit if you like grenache (great accommodation too) and Seppeltsfield is amazing for a lunch at Fino, a tour and a chance to try the 100 Year Old Para and try your birth year fortifieds.
The best visits are the ones you have to work for and are tasting by appointment e.g. Sami-Odi, Standish, Agricola Vintners etc.
I'd probably aim for a night in Adelaide to arrive with a visit to Magill Estate. A night in McLaren Vale (only 40 minutes drive from ADL) and knock out 4-5 winery visits. Leave Mclaren Vale and head up to the hills via Kangarilla, Meadows, etc and knock out visits up there (Shaw + Smith, Deviation Road, Ashton Hills, Tapanappa, The Lane, Petaluma, Pike & Joyce, etc).
Continue to the Barossa via Woodside, Birdwood, Mt Pleasant, Eden Valley and veer off there towards Keyneton and visit Henschke, then Yalumba before settling in at your accommodation.
A couple of days in the Barossa (shout out if you need winery recommendation or contact details for appointment tastings), then up to the Clare Valley for a couple of days.... it's quieter and less travelled than the Barossa and M Vale,.... jump on a bike and do the riesling trail, sit under the olive tree at Skillogallee and have lunch, drink your bodyweight in riesling and then amble back to ADL and home.

 

[andye]

Sequoia looks interesting.

We went to Mount Lofty (not Sequoia) last year. It's outstanding. The tour of the house was very well done and service top-notch. The restaurant is high quality though not cheap (unfortunately it's an exception to Accor dining). We booked via Amex FHR for the usual upgrades and Accor points

 

[Daver6]

We went to Mount Lofty (not Sequoia) last year. It's outstanding. The tour of the house was very well done and service top-notch. The restaurant is high quality though not cheap (unfortunately it's an exception to Accor dining). We booked via Amex FHR for the usual upgrades and Accor points

If you can make use of the Accor+ free night at Mt Lofty it becomes very good value there for two nights.

 

[hwy]

Restaurant | Vintners Bar & Grill | South Australia

Distinctive, unfussed, brilliantly balanced dishes in the heart of the Barossa Valley. The Vintners team are proud to share their fresh, seasonal menu & extensive wine list showcasing local and imported drops for every occasion.

www.vintners.com.au

Started by winemakers who wanted a place to eat great food. Still lives up to the original ethos along with a great wine menu. Or BYO for $30/ bottle.

 

[jase05]

I grew up in the Clare Valley and have now lived in the Barossa for near on 30 years and I think we take for granted how good both regions are