If you like wine – or beautiful places where wine is grown – then you’ve found the right country. Australia is known for its unique and beautiful wine growing regions. We toured one of the best yesterday near Adelaide. And after extensive tastings at six wineries (and a stop at a great local brewery owned by the friend of a friend), I still remember enough the day after to write about it.
The Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, and McLaren Vale are all gorgeous wine growing regions within an hour’s drive of Adelaide. Though they’re so close together geographically, the hilly terrain creates a number of microclimates that result in optimal conditions for very different types of grapes only miles apart. For instance, the Barossa is known for its great reds, like Shiraz, while the Adelaide Hills and McLaren are famous for their whites. But, upon sampling, you realize that it’s all good.
We hired a tour guide for the day through our hotel concierge. I’ve never been one for coach tours, but I definitely didn’t want to try my hand at driving the left side of the road on winding country lanes after trying my third Sauvignon Blanc. Our guide, Ralf, was a real find (see photo). His company, Life is a Cabernet (points just for the great name), specializes in putting together customized tours of Australia’s wine regions for individuals and small groups. While he is expanding his operations throughout Australia, Ralf lives in Adelaide and clearly has a soft spot for the nearby hills, valleys and vineyards. What a great day. Thanks to Ralf, I think we saw every breathtaking view in the Hills, and enjoyed some amazing wine. He knows everyone - we had a warm, familiar greeting at every winery where we stopped. Definitely wouldn’t have wanted to do it any other way.
The wine country in South Australia is stunning. Napa is probably the only American equivalent, but the countryside here is far more diverse and beautiful. One minute you’re driving through perfect vineyards, and then you’ll round a bend and be in a vale of Eucalyptus trees. It’s also far less crowded than California wine country – very little traffic, and when you get to the winery of your choice, there’s a good chance you’ll have the cellar door (the tasting room, in local parlance) to yourself.
The most amazing thing about the wine regions here, though, is the proximity to the city. We stayed mostly in the Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale, and we were literally a half hour from the city center. The shift from urban to “picture postcard” rural happens quickly, especially if you’re used to the 2 hour drive to the California wine country from San Francisco. Adelaide itself is a charming, underrated city. Even most Australians, when told that you’re going to spend a few days in Adelaide, give you a funny look. What most apparently don’t know is that it’s a lovely city with broad avenues, great nineteenth century stone architecture, and some GREAT restaurants and nightspots. The range of ethnic restaurants in a city of this size is amazing. You also have great beaches and the aforementioned hills/wine country within 30 minutes of the CBD.
Here’s to hoping the secret doesn’t get out too much (as he raises a wine glass yet again…).
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