Clare Valley Wine Region

Nestled in South Australia's Clare Valley, this wine region is a haven for lovers of crisp riesling and rolling vine-covered hills. Just a 90-minute drive from Adelaide, it offers a quintessential Australian wine country experience with a rich heritage dating back to the 1840s. The Clare Valley is known for its picturesque landscapes, historic towns, and a relaxed pace that invites you to explore on two wheels or two feet.

Highlights & What to See

• Riesling Trail – Cycle or walk this 35-kilometer rail trail through vineyards and charming villages, with cellar doors and cafes dotted along the way.
• Cellar Door Hopping – Visit iconic wineries like Grosset, Jim Barry, and Wendouree for tastings of world-class riesling, shiraz, and cabernet sauvignon.
• Mintaro – Explore this historic slate-mining town with its well-preserved 19th-century buildings and the famous Martindale Hall.
• Clare – The region's main town, home to the Clare Valley Heritage Centre, antique shops, and the lovely Gleeson Wetlands.
• Sevenhill Cellars – Australia's oldest Jesuit winery, where you can taste wines in a historic cellar and see the underground crypt.
• Bungaree Station – A working sheep station offering farm stays, history tours, and a glimpse into pastoral life.

Suggested Time to Spend

Plan at least two days to fully appreciate the Clare Valley. With a day you can do a highlights tour of a few cellar doors and the Riesling Trail, but a weekend allows for deeper exploration: cycle the entire trail, visit both the northern and southern wineries, and enjoy a leisurely lunch at a vineyard restaurant. Combine with a night in a heritage B&B for a truly immersive experience.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Barossa Valley – Just an hour south, this famous wine region offers a different but equally rewarding wine and food scene.
• Flinders Ranges – Head north for dramatic outback landscapes, wildlife, and the stunning Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.
• Adelaide Hills – On the way from Adelaide, stop for cool-climate wines, charming towns like Hahndorf, and scenic drives.
• Yorke Peninsula – A couple of hours west, this coastal region offers pristine beaches, fishing, and the historic copper mining town of Moonta.
• Burra – A historic mining town with well-preserved buildings and the famous Burra Heritage Passport Trail.

Please check official sources for current details.