South Australia
Please Select a Region:
- Adelaide Hills
- Adelaide Plains
- Barossa Valley
- Clare Valley
- Coonawarra
- Langhorne Creek
- Limestone Coast
- McLaren Vale
Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills is a region of rapidly growing importance for the production of super-premium table and sparkling wine. The Adelaide Hills were amongst the first areas of South Australia to be settled by European settlers. A number of towns in the Hills were started as German settlements. Descendants of these first settlers and others of German origin still reside in the area. This explains the strong German cultural connection seen in the number of Lutheran churches, Lutheran schools which often have German on the curriculum, and the number of older residents who still speak German. The climate of the region is quite special. Mount Lofty and the Piccadilly Valley are a bare 25 minutes drive from the centre of Adelaide, but the contrast in climate throughout much of summer has to be experienced to be believed. The veritable maze of valleys and sub-valleys, with slopes offering every conceivable aspect, means there is as much mesoclimatic variation, making generalisations very hazardous. However, most of the Adelaide Hills has an unequivocally cool climate; it is not until one reaches the northern extremity of the region, and the western facing slopes, that one moves out of a climate suited principally to the early ripening varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, and into terrain which satisfactorily ripens Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The soils are predominantly grey or grey-brown to brown loamy sands of low to moderate fertility. Most fall into the common south-east Australian family, and are well suited to viticulture.
Wine Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc
The Adelaide Hills are winning accolades for their Sauvignon Blanc, producing some of the best examples of the variety in Australia. Typically the wines are fresh, fragratnt and aromatic, yet crisp and food friendly with the distinctive acidity and fine structure that typifies many wine styles - both white and red - from the Hills. Sauvignon Blanc is the most widely grown variety in the Adelaide Hills, and Sauvignon Blanc (and blends thereof) happens also to be one of Australia's most significant contemporary wine styles. Those from the Adelaide Hills seem to echo the fresh, cool, crisp, bright climate of the region.
Chardonnay
Complex but elegant wines may be expected. The variety flourishes and the resulting wines are invariably full of character, responding in marked fashion to the winemaking philosophies and practices of the numerous distinguished producers in the region. As one would expect, natural levels of acidity are good, allowing makers to use malolactic fermentation to increase complexity without threatening the longevity of the wines or permitting them to become soft and flabby.
Riesling
Riesling is grown across the span of climatic sites within the Adelaide Hills, producing razor sharp, fine and delicate wines in the cooler locations and richer, more conventional wine on the warmer sites. For early consumption, the latter wines may well be favoured; for those prepared to wait five to ten years; the cooler sites provide the answer.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Although not widely grown, several producers have managed to make outstanding wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Quite apart from any other consideration, success with these varieties is a testament to the importance of site selection.
Pinot Noir
After a slow and at times uncertain start, Pinot Noir is now asserting itself in the manner long suggested by the climate, and the arrival of new Burgundian clones should ensure continued impetus and interest. Indeed, there is no doubt that the Adelaide Hills is, and will remain South Australia's leading producer of Pinot Noir and very capable of throwing the gauntlet down to southern Victoria and Tasmania.
Sparkling Wine
Substantial quantities of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the Adelaide Hills are used in the making of sparkling wine. As one might expect, the style is extremely refined and the flavour long and lingering.
Adelaide Plains
The Adelaide Plains is the area between the Mount Lofty Ranges on the east and Gulf Saint Vincent on the west. The plains can be roughly divided into 3 parts. The southern area is now covered by the city of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. The next mid area is the "bread basket" of South Australia with many market gardens and wineries, particularly around the towns of Virginia and Angle Vale. The northern area is predominantly used for growing cereal grains such as wheat, barley, and canola, and sheep. The Kaurna are the Indigenous Australians who lived on the Adelaide Plains of South Australia, before European settlement. The Adelaide Plains are crossed by a number of rivers and creeks, but most dry up during summer. The rivers include the Onkaparinga River, River Torrens, Little Para River, Gawler River, Light River and Wakefield River. It is a dry yet maritime climate with a very low incidence of disease. While much of the production is processed in the Barossa Valley, a number of small producers have shown just what can be achieved with the fruit of the region. There are no subregions. The climate is hot and in an arid region of such extremely low rainfall during the growing season, viticulture would be virtually impossible were it not for irrigation and the occurrence of south-westerly sea breezes during summer. There are two soil types; the most common is the ubiquitous red-brown loamy sands found through so much of south-eastern Australia, with alkaline subsoils and free limestone at deeper levels. These are excellent viticultural soils that readily support the typically high yields of the region. There are also smaller patches of heavier loam and cracking clay soils which are very different in structure but, once again, tending to alkalinity rather than acidicty, promoting vigorous vine growth.
Wine Varieties
Chardonnay
Most of the Chardonnay produces wine of a medium to full bodied style with tropical fruit and ripe peach flavours.
Colombard
It is true the variety is particularly well suited to hot climates thanks to its ability to retain relatively high levels of natural acidity. For this reason it is much prized as a blend component in the casks and generic white wines to which it is usually directed. Here, however, Colombard can produce a wine with an appearance disconcertingly similar to that of Sauvignon Blanc.
Cabernet Sauvignon
A medium to full-bodied, forward, ripe style Cabernet Sauvignon has long been a mainstay of the Adelaide Plains and is often blended with Shiraz and or Merlot.
Shiraz
In the hands of the region’s small producers, this wine can have remarkable quality, showing a totally unexpected touch of spice that is normally reserved for cooler climates and fine-grained tannins. Winemaking skills have no doubt played a part but it demonstrates what can be achieved with grapes grown on mature vines and with controlled yields.
Barossa Valley
The Barossa Valley is a major wine-producing region and tourist destination of South Australia, located 60 km northeast of Adelaide. It is the valley formed by the North Para River, and the Barossa Valley Way is the main road through the valley, connecting the main towns on the valley floor of Nuriootpa, Tanunda, Rowland Flat and Lyndoch. The Barossa Valley takes its name from the Barossa Ranges, which were named by Colonel William Light in 1837. Light chose the name in memory of the British victory over the French in the Battle of Barrosa, in which he fought in 1811. The area is approximately 13 km long by 14 km wide. The three major towns of the Barossa each have a distinctive personality. Tanunda is generally recognised as the most German of the three with long-standing traditions dating back to the 1840s when the first German settlers arrived in the area. Because many of them came from Prussian Silesia, they called the Barossa Neu-Schlesien, or "New Silesia". The German influence survives to this day (see Barossa German). Angaston, in contrast, is considered the English town as it was settled predominantly by Cornish miners and others from Britain. The third town, Nuriootpa, was influenced by both the German and British settlers, and today is the commercial hub of the Barossa where most of the larger stores are located. The wine industry plays a major role in the Barossa, being the main source of employment for many residents. The many hectares of vineyard are the most distinctive feature of the area, especially when viewed from the Mengler's Hill lookout positioned on the range of hills that form one side of the valley itself. The success of the wine industry has historically been celebrated every two years (odd numbers) with a week-long Vintage Festival. The festival draws visitors from all over the world and has entertainment for all tastes including a huge street parade, concerts and gourmet dining. The region is now rightly asserting not only its importance to the wine industry but the inestimable value of its storehouse of century-old vines and historic wineries. The twists and turns of the Barossa Valley are at times as clearly defined as those of the world famous Napa Valley in California. At other times they disappear into a series of rolling hills and transverse valleys, which can easily disorient as well as charm the first time visitor. In consequence, site, slope and aspect all vary widely. The climate of the region has often been unfairly characterised as very warm but, in fact, in its lower parts it is only moderately so and at higher altitudes quite cool, as indicated by the Williamstown details given below. In fact, as John Gladstones has pointed out, its biologically effective temperature summation and ripening mean temperatures are almost identical with those of Margaret River. However, the region does have a wide diurnal temperature range, higher maxima, more sunshine and a much lower humidity and rainfall. All of this adds up to a continental climate ideal for full bodied red wines, excellent fortified wines and generally robust white wines. There are two basic soil types; brown, loamy sand to clay loam and more sandy light brownish grey to dark grey brown soils. Both are relatively low in fertility -- particularly the second type -- and acidity tends to increase with depth. Traditional viticulture (bush pruning, no irrigation) results in low yields of high quality grapes.
Wine Varieties
Chardonnay
As with Semillon, the Chardonnay tends to produce a relatively full-bodied, quick-maturing style when produced from grapes grown on the Barossa Valley floor or the lower foothills.
Riesling
Just as almost every Barossa Valley winery has a Shiraz, so too, does it have a Riesling. Increasingly these are sourced wholly or partially outside the valley (usually from the nearby Eden and Clare Valleys). The style is quintessentially Australian; strong with passionfruit, tropical fruits and lime flavours which can build magnificently with prolonged bottle age although only a tiny percentage is given the opportunity.
Semillon
Semillon has had a distinct renaissance, frequently being given a seductive toasting of American oak, and developing quickly into a robust and full-bodied wine.
Grenache and Mourvedre
Old vine Grenache and Mourvedre are in almost as much demand as old vine Shiraz. Hundreds of hectares were lost during the Vine-Pull of the 1980’s, and what was left was chiefly used to make fortified wines. There is intense competition for the grapes between fortified and table winemakers, competition that is likely to further intensify in the years ahead.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon follows a similar track to that of Shiraz. Wonderfully strong and rich in flavour and colour, it does manage to cling to its varietal character but it is often best blended with grapes from other regions such as the Eden Valley, McLaren Vale or Coonawarra.
Shiraz
lmost every Barossa Valley winery has a Shiraz or Shiraz blend somewhere on the books; the style is full bodied, dark in colour, rich in dark red fruits with a touch of chocolate, a hint of roasted character and sometimes eucalypt as well as mint. The structure is round and velvety, and the wines are almost invariably extremely long lived.
Clare Valley
The Clare Valley is one of Australia's oldest and most famous wine regions, in the Mid North of South Australia. It is one of the most scenic regions, presenting visitors with a series of small intimate valleys and magnificent views. The valley runs north-south, with Main North Road as the main thoroughfare, approximately 120 km north of Adelaide. Settlers from England, Ireland and Poland first moved into the region during the 1840s, producing a rich heritage of architecture and villages, which remain largely intact. With a continuous history of winemaking dating back to 1852, the stone buildings and wineries of the Clare Valley add to the region's striking and varied beauty. It is a high quality producer of long-lived, intensely flavoured and strongly structured table wines, virtually all of which are made in limited quantities. Although much has been written about the climate of this region, in many ways it is difficult to reconcile with its wine styles. Its weather data point to a far warmer climate than is the case; cool afternoon breezes are the key and play a major role in slowing down the ripening process. Furthermore, altitude and position within the Valley as well as aspect all lead to considerable variations in individual site climate. Overall, however, the climate is moderately continental, with cool to cold nights and warm to hot summer days; the rainfall is winter-spring dominant, making irrigation all but essential while relatively low humidity (and summer rainfall) means a low incidence of fungal disease. Harvest commences in early March and finishes, typically, with Riesling coming in last in late April. With the exception of the open expanses of the Polish Hill River to the east, and Auburn to the south, the region is defined into a series of sub-valleys running in every direction, with numerous creeks or creek beds. The higher altitude or west-facing slopes often produce the best vineyard sites and this very beautiful region is no exception. The soils vary but are, by and large, excellent; red to brown grey in colour, and with significant limestone sub-soil content, particularly in the more southerly subregions.
Wine Varieties
Riesling
Much of Australia's finest Riesling is grown in the Clare Valley, and it is the most important wine for the region. Typically, it starts life in a fairly austere mode with faint aromas of passionfruit, a touch of lime, and a steely strength. Almost immediately a telltale touch of lightly browned toast starts to emerge, and as the wine ages and becomes more complex the intensity of that toasty character grows. These are long lived wines; only in the weakest years will they not benefit from five years in bottle with many of the better wines improving for up to 10 years.
Cabernet Sauvignon
This is the other great wine of the region. Here the character and the style are less homologous, in part reflecting the philosophy of the winemaker and in part the imperatives of the vineyard terroir. The wines are seldom less than full bodied and are at times as strikingly dense, rich and as concentrated as any wine to be found in Australia.
Shiraz
There are those who think that Clare Shiraz is every bit as good as Cabernet Sauvignon and, over the years, the two have frequently been blended, sometimes with the addition of a little Malbec. The wines are deep in colour and flavour, rounder and softer than the Cabernet Sauvignon but with similar strength and depth.
Other
Either singly or as blends, Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache are the other main wines of the region. Chardonnay's failure to take hold is puzzling and a question without an answer unless it is loyalty to the Riesling traditions of the region. Nonetheless, the question provides a welcome point of difference from many of Australia's wine regions.
Coonawarra
Coonawarra is a wine region, on the Limestone Coast of South Australia, that is famous for the Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced on its "terra rossa" soil. Coonawarra is an Aborigional word meaning "Honeysuckle". It is about 380km southeast of Adelaide, close to the border with Victoria. The first vines were planted by John Riddoch at Yallum, South Australia in 1890. The Penola Fruit Colony prospered until the First World War, but was hit hard by the Great Depression, and the original Riddoch cellars were converted to a distillery. Only the Redman family of Rouge Homme continued to produce table wine during this period, during which Shiraz was the main grape variety grown. Fortunes changed when Samuel Wynn recognised the potential of the strip of terra rossa soil, and bought the original Riddoch cellars in 1951. Led by Wynns and Penfolds, Coonawarra was to play a leading role in the transformation of the Australian wine industry as it changed from making fortified wines to conventional table wines. Coonawarra's terra rossa soil is one of the most famous terroirs in the New World, covering an area of just 15km x 2km north of Penola. It lies on a shallow limestone ridge, raising it above the swampy land either side - it is no coincidence that the Riddoch Highway follows this ridge as carters sought the firmest ground in times past. This special bright red soil is clearly visible on an aerial photo. To the west of the ridge lies black rendzina soil which is poorly drained, and so is much less favourable for vines. There is also a 'transitional', or brown rendzina, soil which grows vines quite successfully. Being just 60km from the sea, Coonawarra has a somewhat maritime climate not dissimilar to Bordeaux. During the growing season, there is just 219mm rainfall (Oct-Apr), out of 585mm annually. Extensive cloud cover keeps the temperature down to 19.1ºC in January.
Wine Varieties
Chardonnay
With its vineyards situated on predominantly limestone substrata, Coonawarra seems eminently suited to this variety which, indeed, produces table wine of great quality and longevity. However, Chardonnay is still the ‘bridesmaid’ in Coonawarra with much of the tonnage being directed to sparkling wine. Some heavy oak treatment years ago tended to mask the quality of Chardonnay, but given its recent opportunity to emerge, the future looks promising.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Whatever yardstick one adopts, Coonawarra produces much of Australia's great Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit flavours are very concentrated and luscious, covering a broad spectrum from black currant to plum to red cherry to prunes. Notwithstanding the impact of oak tannins, the wines are seldom astringent or tannic. Indeed, Coonawarra winemakers invest much effort in extracting every last grain of available tannin.
Shiraz
Shiraz was virtually the only wine grape grown in Coonawarra between 1900 and 1950; there were a few vines of Cabernet Sauvignon and a little Grenache. With the success of Cabernet Sauvignon, the grape that, in effect, created Coonawarra's reputation seemed to be taking a slow ride to obscurity until Wynns Coonawarra Estate turned the tide. The advent of the deluxe Michael Hermitage (Shiraz) alongside John Riddoch (Cabernet Sauvignon) has simply served to underscore the inherent quality of both varieties in this region.
Langhorne Creek
The beautiful Langhorne Creek wine region is less than an hour's drive from Adelaide in South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula and promotes a wine history dating back to 1850. Langhorne Creek is traditionally a red wine grape region best known for its full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. With a surprisingly cool climate, the region also produces exceptionally flavoured white and fortified wines. The original vineyards adjacent to the Bremer River experience natural floods from rain that falls in the Adelaide Hills. The soils are deep alluvial sandy loams, which receive a deposit of silt and nutrients with each flood. This is a remarkably good area for soft, fruity, medium bodied red wines.
Wine Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends
While less than a quarter of the wine currently made from grapes grown in Langhorne Creek is sold as a single-region wine, the style is relatively easy to define. Generally the wines are immediately accessible, soft and fragrant. Flavours are in the red berry spectrum, often with some gentle minty and chocolate overtones though seldom herbaceous or tannic. As in the Clare Valley, here Malbec adds a particular dimension when added to the blend, providing an almost riotously juicy wine with more cassis evident.
Shiraz and Blends
Often released as a single varietal but also blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Malbec, Shiraz produces strikingly fruity wines with flavours and aromas of cherry and mint. Its hallmark regional softness finishes with that hint of spice still remaining.
Verdelho
Although produced in relatively small quantities, a regional specialty, particularly as a fortified wine in the style of Madeira.
Limestone Coast
The picturesque Limestone Coast region is located in South Australia, mid-way between Adelaide and Melbourne. The region is famed for its lush pastures, expansive coastal views and a climate that produces grapes of unique character.
McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale is one of Australia’s renowned wine regions, famous for producing some the best wines in the world, and with over 76 cellar doors. McLaren Vale was named after David McLaren, the Colonial Manager of the South Australia Company who arrived in the colony in 1837 and left in 1840. John Reynell planted grapes at Reynella in 1838 and later employed a young labourer named Thomas Hardy. In so doing, the foundations were being put in place for two wine dynasties that were to dominate the region for over a century. The region is bordered to the north by the city of Adelaide with Adelaide Hills to the east, Sellicks Hill Range to the south and the Gulf of St Vincent to the west. The landscape though ever changing is nonetheless invariably beautiful, with rivers—notably the Onkaparinga and its tributaries—hills, olive groves and forests all co-existing and confirming yet again the need for the all-important correct site selection. McLaren Vale has a Mediterranean climate with four clear seasons. With a dry warm Summer, the area has dry weather from December through to March or April, giving an easy change between summer and winter. It is gentle with long warm days and short cool nights. Winter rains of 580-700 mm per annum flow into a fresh spring. The region rarely experiences frost or drought due to its close proximity to the sea. Famous for producing some of the best Shiraz Australia has to offer, McLaren Vale is arguably one of the premier Shiraz-growing regions of the world. Shiraz is by far the most important variety for the region, accounting for about 50% of the total crush. The area's thin soils, limited water, and warm summers harness Shiraz’s natural vigour and produce intense flavoured fruit, and wine with a deep purple colour that can last decades in the bottle. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay all do very well in the appropriate location. Riesling tends to be subtle and delicate in youth but ages well. Pinot Noir is used mainly for sparkling wine. Many producers are now experimenting with new and re-emerging varieties including Viognier, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Verdelho. The McLaren district has many different soil types and this contributes to the wines from the area having different terroir. The vineyards are planted on soils including fertile red-brown earths, terra rossa, rendzina, soft sands and dark cracking clays. Each of these soil types contributes to the rich diversity of wine produced by the winemakers of the region. Overall our soils have one common trait; they are free draining which means they hold very little water. This is, in fact, an advantage, as it allows the accurate control of moisture to the vines through the use of state-of-the-art drip irrigation. Because of reliable winter rain, irrigation can be kept to low levels and manipulated to achieve the production of superior fruit.
Wine Varieties
Chardonnay
Since its introduction a little over 15 years ago, Chardonnay has, not surprisingly, established a stranglehold on white grape plantings in the region. The style varies according to site, winemaker input and vintage conditions and ranges from elegant, citrus-tinged wines through to richer, fleshier, peachy and buttery versions. Virtually every producer has a Chardonnay in its locker.
Sauvignon Blanc
The cooler sites in McLaren Vale are well suited to Sauvignon Blanc. While vintage variation does play a role, in most years the wines have excellent varietal character tending to gooseberry and tropical fruit rather than more weedy, grassy flavours without becoming coarse or heavy. Semillon is often incorporated to very good effect as a blend component.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The wines are full bodied and rich, often with a touch of dark chocolate intermixed with black currant but they avoid overripe, jam-like characteristics. The tannins are plentiful but soft, and the wines have the structure for long aging. The significant amounts Cabernet Sauvignon produced in the region are blended with less rich wines from other parts of South Australia to provide body and structure in large volume commercial blends.
Grenache
The wines are full bodied and rich, often with a touch of dark chocolate intermixed with black currant but they avoid overripe, jam-like characteristics. The tannins are plentiful but soft, and the wines have the structure for long aging. The significant amounts Cabernet Sauvignon produced in the region are blended with less rich wines from other parts of South Australia to provide body and structure in large volume commercial blends.
Shiraz
The wines are full bodied and rich, often with a touch of dark chocolate intermixed with black currant but they avoid overripe, jam-like characteristics. The tannins are plentiful but soft, and the wines have the structure for long aging. The significant amounts Cabernet Sauvignon produced in the region are blended with less rich wines from other parts of South Australia to provide body and structure in large volume commercial blends.