Adelaide Hills

Adelaide Hills

In the Adelaide Hills wine region, winemakers make bold decisions to produce unique wines. Just 20 minutes from Adelaide, it’s a lush, leafy retreat with more going on than meets the eye. 

The landscape here is as diverse as the wines. Roads twist and turn, and steep hills and valleys create different microclimates. It’s a region that inspires creativity – in its artists, its food producers and its winemakers. 

The Adelaide Hills is a relatively young wine region that’s playing a vital part in the evolution of Australian wine. It’s acclaimed for cool-climate classics like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and is pushing the case for alternative varieties.

Climate and Altitude

The Adelaide Hills is one of Australia’s coolest and most elevated wine regions. Overall it has a moderate climate, with high-altitude areas cooler and rainier than those lower down. The Adelaide Hills is a relatively large and elevated wine region in South Australia’s Mount Lofty Ranges. It’s a narrow band to the east of Adelaide. 

Summer is cool and dry, and winter is crisp, with most rain falling through winter and spring. 

Growing Season Rainfall - 268MM

Mean Temperature - 20.4C

Altitude - 149M - 714M

Wines from the Region

SAUVIGNON BLANC

Adelaide Hills sets the benchmark for Sauvignon Blanc in Australia. It’s a fresh, aromatic and easy-drinking wine with vibrant flavours of citrus, pineapple and herbs.

CHARDONNAY

These are elegant and interesting wines with refreshing acidity. Adelaide Hills Chardonnay also makes some of Australia's best sparkling wine.

PINOT NOIR

Adelaide Hills is South Australia’s leading region for Pinot Noir. It’s a smooth, silky wine with cherry and strawberry flavours. Like Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir is used in high-quality sparkling wines.

SHIRAZ

The region is also a leader in cool-climate Shiraz. These wines are elegant and lighter in style – very different from the big, bold reds of South Australia’s warmer regions.