The South Australian Wine Story

While barely 35 kilometres long and as little as five wide, the region is divided into five distinct sub-regions, each reflecting the different interweaving valleys and creek beds, and thus the differences in soil, altitude and climate. Although summers can be hot, altitude creates cooling afternoon breezes that play a major role in slowing down the ripening process. The resulting wines are rich yet austere, delicate yet robust. Some of Australia’s finest Riesling is grown in the Clare Valley, alongside equally impressive Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Adelaide Hills www.adelaidehillswine.com.au Area: 3430 hectares / Altitude: 400-500m Production: 45% red, 55% white Principal varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz The Adelaide Hills is one of Australia’s most vibrant cool-climate regions and one of the most diverse in terms of soil and topography. It receives more rainfall than any other wine region in South Australia, and it is whites not reds that dominate. While the region is large in overall area, the hills create a wide range of meso-climates and the vineyards tend to be small in area and often steep, making hand pruning and picking a necessity for many growers. This diversity plays host to a range of grape varieties and wine styles. In the coolest areas, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir produce exemplary sparkling and table wines, while Sauvignon Blanc (among the best in Australia), Riesling and Pinot Gris enter into the picture as the temperature rises. Shiraz was traditionally the dominant red variety (often blended with Viognier), but the region is beginning to make its mark with Pinot Noir. Adelaide Plains Area: 590 hectares / Altitude: 20m Production: 75% red, 25% white Principal varieties: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Chardonnay The Adelaide Plains region is situated 30 kilometres north of Adelaide among market gardens and rose farms. The soils are excellent and support high yields, but the climate is hot and arid, with an annual rainfall among the lowest of any Australian wine region. Most production is processed in the Barossa Valley, with the exception of a number of small producers who have shown just what can be achieved with the fruit of the region, much of which is sent elsewhere to enhance other brands. The grapes for the original Penfolds Grange were grown in the Adelaide Plains in the 1950s. The region was established largely by Italians migrants after World War II, and this is reflected in the wine styles and approach to winemaking. Primo Estate made its name here, before also expanding to McLaren Vale. The South Australian Wine Story 15 Barossa Valley • Artisans of Barossa • Charles Melton • Grant Burge • Hentley Farm • Langmeil • Kalleske • Penfolds • Peter Lehmann • Rockford • Seppeltsfield • Teusner • Torbreck Vintners • Tscharke • Turkey Flat • Yelland & Papps • Wolf Blass Adelaide Hills • Ashton Hills • Bird in Hand • Geoff Weaver • Nepenthe Vineyards • Murdoch Hill • Ochota Barrels • Petaluma • Shaw & Smith Clare Valley • Grosset • Jim Barry Wines • Kilikanoon • O’Leary Walker Wines • Pikes • Sevenhill Cellars • Taylors Wines • Tim Adams Eden Valley • Heggies Vineyard • Henschke • Hutton Vale • Mountadam • Pewsey Vale • Poonawatta • Yalumba Wineries to Watch Image: Pike & Joyce Wines