Wineries in the Adelaide Hills
When it comes to accessible Australian wine regions, you can't get much more convenient than the Adelaide Hills. Just a 20-minute drive from the Adelaide CBD, you can be away from the city traffic and among rolling hills at the drop of a hat.
The cool-climate region enjoys a high elevation, with sites between 400 and 700 metres about sea level, resulting in grapes that are plump in flavour and retain good natural acidity. is known for producing fruit-forward chardonnays, elegant pinot noirs, herbaceous sauvignon blancs and more.
Drive from Sydney through the picturesque Blue Mountains and around three and half hours later you'll arrive in the historic township of Mudgee. Established in the mid-1800s, Mudgee is one of Australia's oldest wine-growing regions, with three German families the first to plant vines.
Today, Mudgee is brimming with passionate producers making diverse wines. These include organic wines, Italian varieties (such as sangiovese, barbera and montepulciano), as well as luscious shiraz and cabernet sauvignon styles. Similar to its famous neighbour, the Hunter Valley, Mudgee also produces semillon with great ageing ability.
Complementing its spectacular wine offering, Mudgee also has a thriving food scene, with a range of excellent restaurants, pubs and cafes. It's not uncommon for wineries to have on-site dining either, so you can easily tour the numerous vineyards and have a great meal along the way.
Below, we spoke to six producers from Mudgee: Bunnamagoo Estate Wines, First Ridge, Robert Stein Winery, Short Sheep, ThumbPrint Wines and Walter Wines. We found out which wine of theirs you need to try, and they told us some top tips for things to do in the region, including walking trails, sculpture parks and more.
Get to know the six wineries below.
Berrigan Wines
Winemaker Dan Berrigan says: We’ve been making wines under the Berrigan Wines label for almost 10 years now. Originally, it was solely from Mount Benson fruit, however, in mid-2020 we took a huge risk and put everything on the line to purchase an established vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. The vineyard is called Shining Rock, it’s 15ha in size and was originally planted by Brian Croser and Petaluma back in 2000 to be an ultra-premium shiraz vineyard, with its climate and soil similar to the Northern Rhône. The varieties we grow here now are grüner veltliner, viognier, sangiovese, shiraz and chardonnay.
Our Berrigan logo is a bull rider and this represents what our brand is all about. Having the courage to take big risks to jump into new opportunities, even though there’s a real possibility you’re going to get bucked to the ground!
H. What do you love about making wine in the Adelaide Hills?
DB. I love the diversity of micro-climates and soils found in the Adelaide Hills, which in turn provide a spectrum of flavours to the winemakers here. I also love how you can be in the middle of the Adelaide CBD one second, then drive only 30 mins and be in the beautiful countryside of rolling hills, forests, orchards and of course our vineyard.
H. How do you approach the winemaking process?
DB. Great wines are made in the vineyard, so we pour a lot of time and energy into the vines to get more balance in each block. I believe that if we can get this right then the winemaking process is about capturing that superior quality and gently guiding it into the bottle. Having our winery only 30 metres from the vineyard certainly helps us do that, as it provides extremely timely and efficient handling of the harvested fruit. Ideally, what we’re striving to achieve is wines with plenty of flavour and complexity, that are naturally in balance and that speak of the vineyard from which they were grown.
Favourite local spot: My favourite spot in the region is the Crafers Hotel. Whether I’m there to catch up for a beer with a mate at the bar, or if we’re there to dine in the restaurant, it’s always a really warm and comforting atmosphere, especially in winter in front of the fire.
Wine to try
2022 Berrigan Shining Rock Sangiovese
Bright and fresh raspberry, tart cherry, oregano and roast tomato flavours, with hints of dark chocolate. Vegan friendly.Best enjoyed: Serve at 16°C – may benefit from 30 mins in the decanter (although it isn't necessary). Pair with pizza, pasta, charcuterie, Thai beef noodles, duck, steak or barbecue ribs.
RRP $28 | Drink to 2028+ | berriganwines.com.au | Shop this wine
Longview Vineyard
Winemaker Peter Saturno says: Longview Vineyard is a family-owned single vineyard with a rich history and a passion for creating exceptional wines. Our ethos revolves around sustainability, innovation, and a deep respect for our terroir. We produce a diverse range of varieties and styles, from elegant cool-climate shiraz and pinot noir to vibrant sauvignon blanc and chardonnay.
Our Saturnus Nebbiolo, inspired by our family name Saturno, stands out as a tribute to the god of the harvest, embodying our dedication to quality and tradition. The unique microclimate and diverse soils of the Adelaide Hills impart distinctive regional characteristics to our wines, making each bottle a true reflection of our vineyard's essence.
H. What do you love about making wine in the Adelaide Hills?
PS. The Adelaide Hills, characterised by its cool climate, diverse topography, and rich soils, offers a unique winemaking experience. This region allows us to craft wines with remarkable complexity and elegance. The cool temperatures and ample rainfall provide ideal conditions for growing a wide range of grape varieties, enabling us to produce wines with vibrant acidity, intense flavours, and excellent ageing potential.
H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
PS. Our cellar door offers a variety of tasting options, allowing guests to explore our diverse wine portfolio in a relaxed and picturesque setting. Our on-site restaurant, accommodation and day spa make Longview a truly unique destination. With breathtaking views, lush gardens, and exceptional hospitality, a visit to Longview Vineyard is a celebration of the senses.
Favourite local spot: One of our favourite spots in the Adelaide Hills is the stunning Mount Lofty Botanic Garden. This beautiful garden offers a serene escape with its diverse collection of native and exotic plants, walking trails, and breathtaking views. It's the perfect place to unwind and connect with nature – whether by strolling through the gardens or having a picnic with family and friends.
Wine to try
2021 Longview Saturnus Nebbiolo
Light cherry-red in colour with a brilliant clear rim, the wine is unmistakably nebbiolo. Cherries carry through on the nose but more on the steeped, maraschino spectrum, along with musk and potpourri. Star-anise, all-spice and slightly smoky dried herbs provide a seriousness to the high-toned red fruit and florals. The palate is extraordinarily complex, yet bright and thrilling with a thrust of taut berry flavours, glittery tannins, cherry flesh and blood-orange juice acidity. Its length is immeasurable.Best enjoyed: Pair with mushroom risotto. Enjoyed best when looking at it over multiple times across an evening.
RRP $55 | Drink to 2040 | longviewvineyard.com.au | Shop this wine
Nepenthe
Head winemaker James Evers says: Nepenthe was established 30 years ago, driven by the vision to become one of the wild and diverse Adelaide Hill region’s benchmark wineries. Nepenthe adopts a minimal intervention mentality, believing good wine is made in the vineyard. Nepenthe is a certified B Corp, meaning it is a business that meets high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. All our vineyards are accredited with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.
Our vineyards consist of proven varieties such as pinot noir, shiraz, chardonnay, and sauvignon blanc as well as emerging varieties such as albariño, grüner veltliner and arneis as we explore new vineyards and techniques to capture the essence of our microclimates and varieties.
H. What do you love about making wine in the Adelaide Hills?
JE. The Adelaide Hills is quite a young region compared to the Barossa Valley, the Hunter Valley or McLaren Vale – so we're not bound by tradition. And because it's a mountainous area, the variation in altitudes and aspects creates several different microclimates, allowing us to produce a range of wine styles. All the winemakers in the Adelaide Hills are experimenting with different varietals because we know consumers want to try new things. The level of diversity and innovation we see here is quite rare for a single winemaking region, which makes it all the more exciting.
H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
JE. The Nepenthe cellar door, relaunched in 2023, offers stunning views over the Balhannah vineyard where you can experience Nepenthe's cool-climate, fruit-driven wines, known for their elegant aromatics and textural palates. Nepenthe has four guided wine tastings available: white wine, red wine, alternative varietals or Adelaide Hills renowned. Food offerings include charcuterie and cheeseboards, dips and bread, with all produce locally sourced from Adelaide Hills. These can be enjoyed in four distinct spaces: the barrel room, which can be reserved for private events, the APEX room for intimate VIP experiences, the gallery for indoor grazing and wine tastings, and the deck for alfresco experiences.
Favourite local spot: Other than Nepenthe’s spectacular lawn, which is my favourite place to chill and have a sneaky glass, my family and I frequent the Union Bridge Brewery and Distillery at Cudlee Creek. They have done a fantastic job of refurbishing the old building. You can do structured tastings of their beers, alcoholic sodas and spirits or enjoy a wonderful hearty meal around the fireplace or on the internal balconies. It’s a great place for a chilly winter day.
Wine to try
2022 Nepenthe APEX Pinot Noir
Bright crimson in colour. Lifted notes of dark cherries with hints of sage. This wine displays a great depth of flavour with cherry fruit and dried herbs at the fore. A luscious mid-palate of great texture lingers before a long velvety tannin finish.Best enjoyed: I like to drink my pinot at a temperature in the 18–22°C range. Pairs perfectly with roast duck.
RRP $60 | Drink to 2029+ | nepenthe.com.au | Shop this wine
Top image credit: Berrigan Wines
