World-class wine, mouthwatering food, native wildlife in the wild and super-friendly locals: Why South Australia should be top of your holiday wish list
Ad Feature by South Australian Tourism Commission
Sun-soaked South Australia is home to five-star vineyards, gourmet local produce, striking scenery, and breathtaking wildlife you usually only get to see up-close on TV.
It’s also where you’ll find one of the most incredible food and wine experiences in the world.
The famous Epicurean Way takes in the four iconic regions of McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Clare Valley – all a short hop from the boutique capital of Adelaide.
South Australia boasts mouthwatering food and drink, stunning landscapes and lots of native wildlife that you will see in the wild
Famed as Australia’s vineyard city, Adelaide is one of the Great Wine Capitals Of The World, thanks to it being a gateway to incredible winery experiences.
So much so, 2021 has been crowned The Year Of South Australian Wine, celebrating the area’s 18 tantalising wine regions and more than 200 cellar doors (vineyard tours and tastings) within an hour’s drive of the city.
Enjoy a deliciously leisurely seven-day, 145-mile road trip around South Australia, sampling what makes each of these areas a must-visit destination in their own right.
Along the way you’ll see kangaroos in the vines and koalas snoozing in trees; stroll through ancient national parks steeped in Aboriginal culture, then cool off with an ocean swim at some of the world’s best beaches.
What’s more, there are super-friendly locals every step of the way who can’t wait to show you around their very own slice of paradise!
Adelaide: Gateway to The Epicurean Way
The state’s vineyard city, which boasts the iconic Penfolds winery just five miles away, is the perfect place to start your South Australian adventure.
Award-winning restaurants, immersive festivals, a buzzing bar scene and sprawling beaches; boutique Adelaide is bursting with things to do, see, taste and try.
Africola is one of Adelaide’s most popular restaurants, with a busy open kitchen where vegetables are heroes of an exciting array of dishes best shared
Grab fresh breads, honey and chocolates at the 151-year-old Central Market, dine on bold flavours created by renowned chefs, hop from quirky speakeasies to cocktail lounges, and wander some of the best art collections and museums in the country.
Then get some rest before setting off: check in to either a luxury boutique hotel with a roof-top pool, or a quirky apartment by the sea. Adelaide really does have it all.
Adelaide Hills: 20 minutes from Adelaide
Twenty minutes from the hubbub of the city are the exceptional Adelaide Hills; a mix of leafy lanes, quaint villages and world-renowned wineries.
En route, Morialta National Park is where you’ll find picturesque gullies and waterfalls, along with Australia’s favourite native wildlife, including koalas.
Cycle around family-run vineyards and watch talented winemakers at work while you explore a few of the more than 50 cellar doors, and taste delicious local cheeses.
Enjoy scenic views and delicious food and wine when you visit wineries with Small Batch Wine Tours
Spend a long lunch sampling Australia’s best cool-climate wines from much-loved labels such as Petaluma, Golding Wines, and The Lane. Pop into Japanese-inspired boutique Unico Zelo to learn all about, and taste, world-class sustainable wines.
And you can enjoy cuisine with a paddock-to-plate ethos that’s cooked via solar energy at the eco-forward Lot.100, a collaborative between artisan producers of wine, cider, craft beer, gin and freshly harvested juices. It’s where the locals go for lunch, picnics on the lawns, and to enjoy live music with friends. The restaurant boasts organic meats and cheeses and handmade pizza made from locally sourced ingredients, and they can be paired with delicious South Australian wines.
Where to stay: Disconnect and go completely off-grid at CABN, in their away-from-it-all tiny cabin named ‘Jude’, with glass-fronted windows allowing you to see wildlife from a unique perspective. Book a cellar door wine tasting and stay over at Longview Vineyard, overlooking the vines, so you can completely switch off. Six-star Sequoia Lodge offers luxurious suites surrounded by nature and overlooking the beautiful Piccadilly Valley.
McLaren Vale: 40 minutes from Adelaide
The birthplace of South Australia’s wine industry, the beautiful McLaren Vale is home to some of the world’s oldest grape vines, along with more than 80 cellar doors and vineyards.
Nestled between the majestic Mount Lofty Ranges and the idyllic Gulf St Vincent coast, here you’ll find small batch and quirky wineries, as well as 35 sustainable vineyards practising organic and/or biodynamic viticulture. Cycle through nature reserves, enjoy pristine natural attractions, dining hotspots, and a beach lifestyle.
McLaren Vale is the birthplace of South Australia’s wine industry – pictured is the iconic d’Arenberg Cube, set among Mourvèdre vines in the valley
Buy fresh bread and organic fruit and vegetables for an unforgettable picnic, at one of the oldest farmers’ markets in Australia.
Then hike or bike the mostly-flat five-mile Shiraz Trail to sample some full-bodied reds and take in Hardys Tintara, which dates its first vintage back to 1857, as well as the breathtaking views.
Let an afternoon of wine tasting inside the unique Down The Rabbit Hole winery’s blue bus, turn into a gourmet, organic dinner for an unforgettable experience.
Where to stay: CABN’s secluded tiny lodges Bella and Mila at Gemtree Wines are wifi-free and eco-friendly and are 500ft apart, separated by gum trees – and are perfect for a winery escape with a difference. Boutique luxury accommodation Hotel California Road is an adults-only micro-hotel, where you can stay the night after enjoying a tasting afternoon at Inkwell Wines.
Barossa: 40 minutes from Adelaide Hills
Idyllic countryside walks and taking to the sky in a hot air balloon, are just two of the many things to do during a visit to the breathtaking Barossa, one of the world’s most famous wine regions.
It’s home to more than 150 wineries, including big-name labels such as Jacob’s Creek, where you can try a wine masterclass, and Seppeltsfield, where you can sample your own birth year vintage Tawny, directly from the barrel.
As well as food and wine festivals showcasing the best local produce, the Barossa offers meandering pathways perfect for cycling and hiking, farmers’ market tours, long gourmet lunches, and art galleries.
Enjoy world-class food at the boutique winery Hentley Farm, in the stunning Barossa
Sit back and relax, and enjoy a menu of farm-to-plate delicacies, with a bottle of exceptional wine at the worldwide-acclaimed Hentley Farm.
Book a leisurely tasting at the family-run Yalumba, where you can also arrange a tour to learn more about this historic winery.
Barossa is the region to enjoy the finer things in life.
Where to stay: With sweeping views of the Barossa, the luxury self-contained cottages of Barossa Shiraz Estate are surrounded by the vines. With wall-to-wall windows facing the sunrise, the contemporary Barossa Pavilions are designed for maximum privacy. While the Glasshouse boasts incredible architecture and panoramic views over rolling vineyards. For upscale luxury, check into The Louise with its award-winning, fine-dining restaurant, Appellation.
Clare Valley: 90 minutes north from Adelaide
Famous for its signature Riesling, the off-the-beaten track Clare Valley is the ideal place to get away from it all thanks to being delightfully secluded.
Fall in love with the rustic countryside, pop into small, friendly pubs serving out-of-this-world food and wine, enjoy gourmet festivals, boutique wineries and farmhouse restaurants.
Get away from it all in the Clare Valley, which boasts wineries, festivals and great restaurants
The Clare Valley boasts more than 30 cellar doors, with some operating out of stone cottages, heritage buildings, state-of-the art structures and farm sheds.
Book a guided tour of Sevenhill Cellars – the first winery built in the Clare Valley and the only remaining Jesuit winery in Australia.
The fascinating Red Banks Conservation Park is where to spot playful kangaroos as well as echidnas and wombats.
Then, when you’re ready, make the two-hour drive back to Adelaide to complete your exhilarating Epicurean Way adventure.
Where to stay: Stay the night at Skillogalee Winery’s stylish house, which is set in beautiful gardens – after enjoying a relaxing afternoon tea complete with local cheeses and crisp wines. Bungaree Station, established in 1841, is where to find heritage-listed accommodation, where you can pat deer and kangaroo, and follow in the footsteps of early settlers with a guided farm tour.
Visit southaustralia.com/winery-experiences for inspiration.
The Ultimate South Australian Wine Fly Drive Holiday from £1,799 per person.* Includes return flights, car hire, six nights four-star hotels with breakfast including winery stay, and two Barossa degustation meals with matched wine tasting. For more information visit DialAFlight.com or call 020 7962 9933.
*Prices are per person based on twin share and are subject to availability.
Source: Read Full Article