It takes just over half an hour to get to the heart of the Adelaide Hills from the South Australian capital’s CBD, but it feels a world away from urban life. The rolling hills are woven with vines, pastureland and orchards, while the winding roads offers bucolic vistas at almost every turn. And with charming villages, excellent wineries, innovative eateries and an array of attractions, what’s not to love?
The ever-changing share-style menu at this laid-back restaurant (www.thesummertownaristologist.com) has earned praise from critics and punters alike. As to the wines, the focus is on progressive drops: think minimal intervention, biodynamic and organic.
Housed in reclaimed apple stores in Gumeracha, this distillery is the home of Applewood (www.applewooddistillery.com.au) a standout range of artisan gins, amaros and cellos. Behind the bar, and also available for tasting, are owners Brendan and Laura Carter’s Unico Zelo wines. You need to book for a tasting, but when you come you’ll also get a distillery tour.
Tapanappa (www.tapanappa.com.au) is the creation of Brian Croser, one of the founders of the Adelaide Hills wine region. The modern, glass-walled tasting room gazes over the Tiers Vineyard, which produces perhaps one of Australia’s best chardonnays.
Michael Hill Smith and Martin Shaw were also early pioneers of the region. Their slick sun-drenched cellar door (www.shawandsmith.com) features floor to ceiling windows that look over rolling fields and rows of vines. Choose a new-release wine flight, served with three cheeses, or opt for the limited-release flight paired with a local produce plate.
Founded by another pioneer of the region, Stephen George, this picturesque cellar door (www.ashtonhills.com.au) is a more rustic affair. But in this unassuming converted shed, you’ll find standout rieslings and award-winning pinots.
Another regional star, Bird in Hand (www.birdinhand.com.au) has as elegant cellar door, with a range of wine flights and tastings. The on-site gallery restaurant serves a six-course tasting menu, seven days a week, as well as a share-style four-course experience. If you want something more low-key, opt for a seasonal platter on the terrace.
Come to Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard (www.mtloftyrangesvineyard.com.au) to taste excellent shiraz, pinot noir, and chardonnay. During the week you can enjoy light lunches and platters on the deck overlooking the deep valley of vines, while from Thursday to Sunday, the five-course tasting menu is quietly becoming the degustation lunch on everyone’s lips.
Just up the road from Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard is Pike & Joyce’s cellar door (www.pikeandjoyce.com.au). Both the tasting room and restaurant have stunning views across the Hills to Mount Barker.
Larry Jacobs and Marc Dobson at Hahndorf Hill Winery (www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au) were the South Australian pioneers of Gruner Veltliner, an Austrian grape now popping up across the region. Hahndorf Hill also do a unique chocolate and wine tasting, perfect for those who enjoy a side of sweet with their vino.
Maybe it’s unusual to learn to cook Asian in a region settled by Germans. Still, Sticky Rice Cooking School (www.stickyricecookingschool.com.au) is one of the most lauded in the state. Plus, there are three posh villas on-site for overnight stays.
One of the newest cellar door additions (www.crftwines.com.au) in the Hills comes from winemaking couple Candice Helbig and Frewin Ries. The pair has transformed their 1900s shearing shed and stables into a laidback tasting room, where you can enjoy their small-batch single vineyard wines in intimate surrounds.
Come to this converted church in Uraidla (www.lostinaforest.com.au) for the awesome pizzas; our favourites include the Swineapple and the ‘Shroom. Wines angles towards the progressive side of things with a range of French labels, as well as brands like Mac Forbes, Gentle Folk, Charlotte Dalton, Murdoch Hill, and co-owner Taras Ochota’s own label, Ochota Barrels. If it’s a sunny day, you can enjoy you pizza and wine sitting on the outside lawn. In winter, sitting beside the indoor wood-fire is a charm.
It’s not just about restaurant fare: this region is home to amazing food producers. On your must-visit list are cheeseries Udder Delights (www.udderdelights.com.au) and Woodside Cheese Wrights (www.woodsidecheese.com.au). If you’re visiting between February and April, make a beeline for Glen Ewin Estate (www.glenewinestate.com.au), where you can pick your own Willabrand Figs (www.willabrand.com). Between November and April, try berry-picking berries at Beerenberg. (www.beerenberg.com.au)
Is it a good idea to name a brewery after the inn where the Tolkien’s hobbits first encounter the dreaded Black Riders in The Lord of the Rings? Surprisingly, yes. Prancing Pony Brewery (www.prancingponybrewery.com.au), which first opened in 2012, is now one of the larger craft brewers in the state. There are least 12 house beers on tap at any time – try the India Red Ale which in 2016 the International Beer Challenge in London. If you are peckish, there’s a range of sharing plates and casual fare to choose from.
Hahndorf is the most famous of the Adelaide Hills towns, but Stirling is less touristy and has a beautiful village feel: eat South American-inspired fare at Miss Perez (www.missperez.com.au), browse bestsellers at Matilda Bookshop (www.matildabookshop.com.au), covet homewares at 29 Mila (www.29milan.com.au), indulge in excellent homemade chocolates Red Cacao (www.redcacao.com.au), then head to The Stirling Hotel (www.stirlinghotel.com.au) for upmarket pub grub.
