Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lesser-known Wine Regions
Ever heard of wines from Padthaway, Kangaroo Island, the Adelaide Hills, the River-
land, Currency Creek or Langhorne Creeks? Maybe not. The wine in these regions veer
between nascent and surprisingly well established, producing everything from chardon-
nay to sparking shiraz.
»
Padthaway
(
www.padthawaywineregion.com
; such a romantic-sounding word!) isn't far
from the Coonawarra, but with a tad more altitude and frosty nights it does a mean
chardonnay to go with the local cab sav. There are a lot of vineyards here, but not many
cellar doors.
»
Kangaroo Island
(
www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/foodandwine/wine.aspx
) There are
half-a-dozen wineries on 'KI', the oldest of which dates from the distant 1990s. But that
means they're free from the binds of expectation! Expect flinty sauvignon blanc and sunny
chardonnay.
»
Adelaide Hills
(
www.adelaidehillswine.com.au
)
Actually, you might have heard of wines
from the Adelaide Hills: awesome cool-climate chardonnay, pinot noir, shiraz, sauvignon
blanc and more interesting pinot grigio, pinot gris and viognier vintages. Plenty of classy
cellar doors, and just 20 minutes up the hill from Adelaide.
»
Riverland
(
www.riverlandwine.org.au
) Around Renmark and Barmera is one of Aus-
tralia's largest wine-growing regions, but one with almost no hype or wine tourism trade.
It's all about volume here, with endless acres of vines irrigated by the Murray River. Not
many cellar doors, but some great bargains to be had.
»
Currency & Langhorne Creeks
Inland from Goolwa on the Fleurieu Peninsula,
Cur-
rency Creek
(
www.currencycreekwineregion.com.au
)
is one of SA's oldest wine regions,
but it still feels like a well-kept secret. The same applies to nearby
Langhorne Creek
(
www.langhornewine.com.au
): both areas are compact and accessible yet remarkably un-
touristy. Swing through midweek and you'll have them all to yourself. Impressive shiraz, to
say the least.
BEST WINE REGION ACCOMMODATION
»
SStirlin
irling Ho
g Hoteel (
Click here
), Adelaide Hills
»
Reilly
illy''s (
Click here
), Clare Valley
»
Auustrala
alasiian (
Click here
), Near Currency Creek
»
Red P
d Pole
oles (
Click here
), McLaren Vale
»
Mus
Must@C
t@Coonawarra (
Click here
), Coonawarra
