I'm new here (just joined up today) - am passionate about food and wine and really looking forward to building up some proper knowledge about the wine world in the coming months
I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me with a question. My husband and I are planning a trip to South Australia over the June long weekend and are tossing up between whether to visit the Mount Gambier region or head straight to Adelaide and visit the Barossa/Adelaide Hills etc. I've never been to any SA wineries and was wondering what everyone's recommendation would be as to what region we should visit?
I know its going to depend of what type of wines we're after at the end of the day, but at the moment any sort of recommendation of an outstanding winery, guesthouse, restaurant etc could sway us in either direction!
I guess it comes down to - which region do you think has the greatest concentration of outstanding wineries?
The Barossa, without question.
Lived near there for years - only thing I miss about Adelaide.
I never got north to the Clare (came up with a reason to buy more Jenke whenever we thought about going further north) but I hear good things about it too Never really found any good wine in McLaren Vale (probably didn't go more than twice - should have gone more!)
Depends on where you're located and how you're getting there. Alsodepends on what type of wine you like.
I've toured most SA wine regions over several trips and found them all to be outstanding destinations, all different geographically and all offering distinctly different wine experiences.
What I do like is the less commercial style than I find in say the Hunter but then again proximity to major population centres dictates style to a fair extent.
Clare I found to be very casual and unrushed, Coonawarra even more so, the latter quite unique in it's compactness and twenty cellar doors in 10km of flat straight road.
Everywhere I went in SA I managed to find quality accommodation and quality restaurants with good wine lists. ocals are most helpful in pointing you in the right direction with recommendations.
The only unpleasant experience over several trips was with the proprietor of a major motel in Coonawarra, I can't name it but it is named after a white grape variety! He shouldn't be in hospitality! Every other person I came across was friendly and helpful.
Enjoy where ever you go but make sure it's not your only trip to SA, all regions are worth a few days.
Depends on where you're located and how you're getting there. Alsodepends on what type of wine you like.
I've toured most SA wine regions over several trips and found them all to be outstanding destinations, all different geographically and all offering distinctly different wine experiences.
What I do like is the less commercial style than I find in say the Hunter but then again proximity to major population centres dictates style to a fair extent.
Clare I found to be very casual and unrushed, Coonawarra even more so, the latter quite unique in it's compactness and twenty cellar doors in 10km of flat straight road.
Everywhere I went in SA I managed to find quality accommodation and quality restaurants with good wine lists. ocals are most helpful in pointing you in the right direction with recommendations.
The only unpleasant experience over several trips was with the proprietor of a major motel in Coonawarra, I can't name it but it is named after a white grape variety! He shouldn't be in hospitality! Every other person I came across was friendly and helpful.
Enjoy where ever you go but make sure it's not your only trip to SA, all regions are worth a few days.
Mount Gambier is a quaint place with its Blue/Grey Lake and large sinkhole. Quite an experience. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and the wine region up the road. But yes, Barossa is the place to go, with a quick trip to Hahndorf for Petaluma, Ashton Hills and others, with a sneak down to Kay's on the peninsula. Been to Clare but it is a little far away to justify a day trip when considering the vinous benefits, particular as the most of the great wines from the region are widely available or, conversely, can't be secured by going to the cellar door.
