This article was written by Gourmet Traveller WINE.
It's easy to forget you're only a short drive from the city while visiting the Adelaide Hills – the stunning vineyard views, rolling countryside and premium, cool-climate wines make it a true escape from the day-to-day. Three to four days is a great amount of time to get a feel for the Hills' incredibly diverse wine styles, but you can easily do it in two. Here's our guide for a weekend well spent in this beautiful region.
Kick off at the iconic Tapanappa Wines on Spring Gully Road, one of the Southern Hemisphere’s cool-climate chardonnay pioneers, for the perfect introduction to what the region does best. Drop in at renowned eatery and natural wine hotspot The Summertown Aristologist for a taste of local ‘lo-fi’ producers Commune of Buttons and Lucy Margaux, before a wine (we recommend anything by Ochota Barrels) and woodfire pizza in the 130-year-old church that is Lost in a Forest.
Lovers of fine red wine are in for a treat at Ashton Hills where, over the past 35 years, founder Stephen George has established the three-hectare vineyard as one of Australia’s preeminent producers of pinot noir. Head north to the village of Lenswood to spend the afternoon grazing over a local produce platter at Anderson Hill before catching the sunset (and maybe a glass of sparkling) at nearby Pike & Joyce.
Start the second day with a visit to Murdoch Hill Wines, home of 2017 GT WINE Young Winemaker of the Year Michael Downer. His modern, delicious takes on sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir and syrah are some of the most sought-after wines in the country – taste through the range and be sure to take a couple of bottles with you (the Ridley Pinot x Three, a blend of pinot noir, pinot meunier and pinot gris, is a favourite of ours).
Head down the road to the sustainability-focused Lot 100, home to the award-winning Adelaide Hills Distillery, the Hills Cider Company, Mismatch Brewing and the recently fire-affected Vinteloper Wines – as well as renowned chef Shannon Fleming, whose paddock-to-plate philosophy ties the whole operation together.
Next up is a stop at Nepenthe Wines (the top tier Apex Shiraz is great example of how good Hills shiraz can be) before heading to Hahndorf Hill – creators of what is likely Australia’s best grüner veltliner – for a wine flight and cheese plate overlooking the vines. Spend the afternoon taking in the views from The Lane Vineyard’s stunning hilltop cellar door before taking the short drive to Deviation Road. Here, 2016 GT WINE Winemaker of the Year Finalist Kate Laurie crafts some of Australia’s most pristine sparkling wines – a fitting end to a perfect weekend.
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