Wine Tasting in Adelaide: 8 Places You Have to Try

Adelaide is the capital of South Australia and the fifth most populated city in Australia. Located between Mount Lofty Range and the Gulf St. Vincent in the Adelaide Plains of the Fleurieu Peninsula, the city stretches from Sellicks Beach to Gawler. It was founded in 1836 and named after Queen Adelaide.

The city is known for its many festivals including its food and wine. In fact, Adelaide has over 100 wineries with a cellar door around every corner. The majority of these are in the McLaren Vale wine region, where there are 65+ wineries to explore from the Onkaparinga River National Park to the coastline.

Adelaide Hills is another one of the wine regions with a large number of Australian wineries. Just look for cellar doors and you can find hidden gems like Nepenthe, Morialta, and Cobb's Hills. Whether you want to take one of the wine tours led by local wine experts or explore on your own, you will find wine-tasting opportunities all over Adelaide.

Learn about the winemaking process in the small wineries as well as the larger more well-known places. It is a fantastic experience where you can taste Australian wines and great food such as cheese, olives, and delicious bread. It is not just wine-tasting experiences you have to look forward to. There are some really nice places that serve a lovely lunch of a cheese platter or charcuterie board with meats, sausage, crackers, and more.

After you drink wine all day, you may need a nap. But then you will need to plan your evening. Check out our guide on things to do at night in Adelaide for some excellent ideas. But you will need to leave your large bags and even your purse or briefcase somewhere secure. Bounce luggage storage has many different partners in the area that will keep your belongings safe.

McLaren Vale Wine Region

Home to over 65 wineries, the McLaren Vale Wine Region is the largest wine-growing area in the city. Located about 30 miles from the city center, the area has been producing fine wines since the 1830s and has more than 18,000 acres of vineyards.

Many of the wines in this area are dry reds with an emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon blanc, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Grenache blanc, and Chardonnay. White wines found here include Montepulciano, Barbera, Vermentino, and Fiano. Here you will find a plethora of choices on how to enjoy your wine tasting in Adelaide from guided tours to visiting wineries on your own.

With so many to choose from, you will find many wine tastings everywhere making it hard to know what the best wine tastings are. That is one reason a small group tour is a good idea because the tour guide knows which ones are worth a visit. We recommend starting with Maxwell Wines, which is one of the largest.

Address: Maxwell Wines, 19 Olivers Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171, Australia

Adelaide Hills Wineries

The Adelaide Hills wine region boasts dozens of wine tasting opportunities with some of the best wineries including Ashton Hills, Golding Wines, Tapanappa, and Morialta as well as Penfolds Magill Estate Cellar Door, Cobb's Hills, and Wicks Estate. In the cool climate of the hills, you can find chardonnay, pinot noir, and other popular kinds of wine.

The main one in the center of the Adelaide hills is Golding Wines, which has won awards in many shows including two of them won in the 2021 Adelaide Hills Wine Show. The tasting room is a modern but rustic stone barn at the Western Branch Vineyard and they open at 11 AM daily.

With your wine tasting, you will get to try five different wines including Handcart Shiraz, local Sauvignon Blanc, and Francis John Pinot Noir. Or you can choose five wines of your own to try. They also serve each guest a serving plate of delicious cheese and meats. If you are still hungry, you can get a delicious lunch at their Gingko Restaurant.

Address: Golding Wines, 52 Western Branch Rd, Lobethal SA 5241, Australia

Clare Valley

The oldest wine region in Australia, Clare Valley is a secluded area popular with the locals for hiking and biking. Dating back to the early 1800s, here you can find more than 200 vineyards and 50 wineries as well as mouthwatering cuisines and luxurious wines. The most popular is the white Riesling but the reds of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon blanc are also favored.

One of the best wineries in Clare Valley, Sevenhill Cellars started as a producer of sacramental wines for churches in the area. Today, it is bursting with fat and juicy grapes with the best wine in Australia. Mostly organic, the wine here is made with little interference so it is always fresh and delicious.

Another favorite is the Kilikanoon Winery. The award-winning vineyards are surrounded by cute cottages, fruit orchards, and gum trees. O'Leary Walker Wines is one of the smallest but distinctive and is a Five Red Star Winery with excellent quality. They even offer picnic experiences with tables full of grazing treats and wine.

Address: Clare Valley Wine, Food & Tourism Centre, 8 Spring Gully Rd, Clare SA 5453, Australia

Barossa Valley Wine Region Tour

Barossa Valley is a smaller area in northeastern Adelaide. In Tanunda between Bethany and Gomersal, you can find the Turkey Flat Vineyards, Barossa Valley Brewing, St. Hallett Cellar Door and Winery, and Rockford Wines. But the best tour here is the Barossa Valley Voyager Small Group Tour.

You will get an entire day tour from 9 AM to 5 PM with your guide exploring the beautiful location of Barossa Valley about an hour to the north of Adelaide. There are two regions, including the cooler climate for Rieslings and the warmer climate for Shiraz wines. It starts at Adelaide City CBD or Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites where you will get picked up and transported to the valley.

Then, enjoy a cheese tasting with a glass of wine, a delicious lunch, and great wine tastings at four wineries. You will also get to stop at the local Maggie Beer's Farm Shop where you can purchase specialty items you cannot get anywhere else. The highlight is the tasting at Chateau Tanunda in the historic town of Tanunda with a variety of first-class wines.

Address: One pickup point is Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites, 16 Holdfast Promenade, Glenelg SA 5045, Australia

Kangaroo Island Wine and Dine Day Trip

Kangaroo Island was discovered by explorer Matt Flinders in 1802. When they got there, they were immediately surrounded by kangaroos, which is how the island got its name. It is the third-largest island after Melville and Tasmania at 90 miles long and 56 miles wide. Today it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country with dozens of parks, caves, and beaches.

This is one of the most popular full-day tours in Adelaide where you will spend eight to nine hours on the island tasting great wines, eating delicious food, and learning about the history of the island. You will get to enjoy beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages with a variety of cuisines.

The first stop is the Oyster Farm Shop where you get to taste fresh Pacific oysters. Then you can stop at Clifford's Honey Farm for some Ligurian honey. After, you get to tour the Islander Estate Vineyards where the tour provider will take you to the tasting room for some French wines. Last, you will visit the Kangaroo Island Spirits for some gin and other liqueurs.

Address: Sea Link Travel, Level 3/26 Flinders St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Vines and Victor Harbor Eco Adventure

Another one of the best day trips is the scenic Vines and Victor Harbor Eco Adventure. Start by enjoying a scenic drive through the McLaren Vale region to Victor Harbor to see the ocean and learn about the history and nature of the area. The picturesque rolling hills and vineyards on your way from the Adelaide area to the harbor are awesome.

Then you will take a boat cruise on the ocean for a full 90-minutes to see West Island, The Bluff, and Seal Rock. Look for seabirds like cormorants, shearwaters, and petrels around the Waitpinga Cliffs. On the way back, you will get a chance to see fur seals and Australian sea lions on Seal Island.

After, enjoy a picnic on the shore of Victor Harbor and see the wonderful view of Granite Island before heading to McLaren Vale's main street. Visit d'Arenberg Winery and Gemtree Winery to taste some biodynamic wines. Finally, stop and enjoy a Vintner's platter and a glass of wine before heading back to the city.

Address: Main departure point is 111 Franklin St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Wine and Wildlife 4WD Tour

This is a unique way to enjoy wine and four-wheel driving just to the south of Adelaide. From wine tasting to wildlife on the Fleurieu Peninsula, you and a small group will travel through the rolling hills, wooded valleys, and sensational coastal landscapes before stopping for lunch.

Your lunch will include a trip to the McLaren Vale wineries and a surprise experience. Meet the local wildlife and learn about the history of the South Australia area and wine regions. Your great day will continue along Silversands Beach before trying more delicious local wine, beer, craft cheese, and produce.

The trip is not over, though. There are still some fun events to enjoy like meeting fur seals, koala bears, and wild kangaroos and walking along the beach. Take another cruise through the bush and finish off your day with another wine tasting with special offers after.

Address: Adelaide Central Bus Station Franklin St. 83 Franklin St., Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Yoga and Wine Day

It is time to get out of the city and head for the Fleurieu Peninsula for some yoga and meditation. First, you will head to Devine Feather Studio where holistic healer Sue Moore performs a 90-minute sound bowl meditation. The ancient practice eliminates stress and toxins from your body so you can relax.

Then take a refreshing 2.3-mile walk to Serafino Wines for a yoga class. Of course, this will include a wine tasting after your hour-long class. After, take a short ride to Gemtree Wines where you can try the biodynamic wine and learn about the 50,000 trees they planted in the wetlands eco-tail.

Once you have worked up a hunger, have a picnic lunch of fresh produce with a glass of wine before visiting the tasting room. Try a wine flight of six organic and biodynamic wines as you witness the special views of the lake and picture-perfect vineyards you can absorb for a nice ending to a great day tour.

Address: 62-64 Dublin Street, 5606 Port Lincoln, South Australia (pickup at 135 Waymouth St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia)

South Australia Wines

Remember that these tours need to be booked in advance. If you change your mind, you have the option of free cancellation within 24 hours. As you end your day in Adelaide exploring the vineyards, you may be looking for more things to do later on. Check out our 3 days in Adelaide guide for more cool ideas.