Adelaide Hills

Among the cool, leafy peaks and slopes of the Adelaide Hills wine region, passionate producers craft premium cool-climate wines renowned for their elegance and vibrant flavours. Although the modern-day wine community only began here in the 1970s, the region has rapidly become one of the country’s most important, spearheading the evolution of Australian wine in recent years. Today, Adelaide Hills is home to established and iconic names in wine as well as an exciting new generation of experimental winemakers carving their own paths and setting trends.

Wine Style

The Adelaide Hills region specialises in making refreshing Sauvignon Blancs as well as elegant Chardonnays that have high natural acidicies and pronounced citrus and peach aroma. Pinot Noir is also grown for still red wines and blending with Chardonnay it is used to produce complex, elegant, traditional method sparkling wines.

The region has a moderate climate where all vineyards are planted above 400 metres (1,312 feet) in altitude. Rainfall occurs mainly in the winter, and soils have limited water-holding capacity meaning that irrigation is often necessary during the growing season.

Cool-Climate Haven

Just minutes from Adelaide, in the hills to the city’s east, Adelaide Hills is one of the coolest-climate wine regions in South Australia. Its diverse landscape is a patchwork of peaks and valleys, bushland, farms and vineyards, where some of Australia’s best-quality grapes are produced. Relatively high altitude and ample rainfall make this a lush retreat from the heat of much of South Australia.

Hub of Quality and Innovation

Adelaide Hills is home to a forward-thinking wine community, in which grapegrowers and winemakers work together to produce a diverse range of premium cool climate wines. Established producers craft classic styles while creative makers experiment with varieties and techniques to make this one of Australia’s most exciting wine regions.

Tourist Hotspot on Adelaide’s Doorstep

Settled by German immigrants in the 1800s, Adelaide Hills’ central town of Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest-surviving German settlement. This village hub boasts amazing art galleries and foodie hotspots, and is a pathway to the region’s vibrant cellar doors, less than a 30-minute drive from Adelaide.

Fun fact

In 1843, a case of wine made from Adelaide Hills’ first vineyard was sent to Queen Victoria. This was the first gift of Australian wine to an English monarch.

Distance: The Adelaide Hills is just a 50-minute drive north east of Adelaide.

Adelaide Hills events https://www.adelaidehills.org.au/events