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South Australia Wine Regions

• Clare Valley

  Cool to Warm climate/Elevation 400-500m
  By 1897, the region had over 580 hectares of vines in production. The climatic data suggests that Clare is essentially continental with hot summers and cool/cold winters. During the growing season moderating cool breezes funnel up the Clare’s corrugation of hills and gullies from the south. The soils are red brown, chocolatey loam over shale allowing excellent drainage. Although snow is rare, the chill factor is something to behold.
  
  Primary Varieties: Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon.
  
  Major Wineries: Grosset, Jim Barry, Knappstein Wines, Leasingham Mitchell Winery, Mount Horrocks, Pikes, Taylors, Tim Adams, Wendouree.
   
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• Barossa Valley

  Warm climate/Elevation 270m
  Perhaps the most well known of all Australian wine regions, the Barossa incorporates the gamut of the wine dream! Comprising of two distinct sub-regions: Eden Valley and the warmer Barossa Valley floor at 270 metres, The Barossa has a climate similar to Margaret River and Bordeaux. Cool sea breezes from the Gulf of St Vincent and elevation moderate temperatures. However, hot northerly winds can occasionally dominate creating considerable vine stress.
  
  Primary Varieties: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot.
  
  Major Wineries: Barossa Valley Estate, Bethany, Charles Melton Wines, Dutschke Wines, Elderton, Glaetzer, Grant Burge, Greenock Creek, Leo Buring, Penfolds, Peter Lehmann, Rockford, Seppelt Barossa Valley, St Hallett, Three Rivers, Turkey Flat, Veritas Wines, Wolf Blass, Yalumba.
   
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• Eden Valley

  Cool climate/Elevation 450m
  Eden Valley is the cooler and elevated subregion of the Barossa (a part of the Mount Lofty Ranges) averaging 450m. Together, these valleys comprise what is today known as the Barossa zone. The high altitude and cool climate of the region produces wines with great complexity and capacity for longterm cellaring.
  
  Primary Varieties: Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
  
  Major Wineries: Henschke, Irvine, Mountadam.
   
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• Langhorne Creek

  Warm to Hot climate/Elevation 130-180m
  Langhorne Creek is the third largest grape growing region in South Australia and part of the Fleurieu Peninsula group of wine regions which also includes McLaren Vale. One feature of the region is the magnificent Lake Alexandrina which also forms an important part of the Terroir (microclimate) with a cooling breeze coming off the lake. The climate otherwise is characterised by low rainfall and moderate daytime temperatures during the growing season. This provides Langhorne Creek with a very good winegrowing climate.
  
  Primary Varieties: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay.
  
  Major Wineries: Bleasdale, Bremerton, Lake Breeze, Step Rd and Brothers in Arms.
   
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• Adelaide Hills (Lenswood, Piccadilly Valley)

  Cool climate/Elevation 450-550m
  The Adelaide Hills run in a north-south direction and belong to the Mount Lofty Ranges. The region is cool to very cool with most vineyards at an elevation of 450- 550m (Mount Lofty rises to 700m). The best of them facing north or north-east in protected positions. The region is well suited to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot showing great promise.
  
  Primary Varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot.
  
  Major Wineries: Petaluma, Bird in Hand, Chain of Ponds, Blackets & Sons, Geoff Weaver.
   
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• Padthaway

  Cool maritime climate/Elevation 50m
  When you reach Padthaway, about three hours drive south of Adelaide, the land undulates and the eucalypt trees are taller. The landscape is richer and prettier. First established as a viticultural area in the 1960s, Padthaway was soon recognised as a premium, cool-climate region. Although rainfall averages about 500mm, falling mostly during winter and spring, there is ample ground water.
  
  Primary Varieties: Shiraz, Chardonnay.
  
  Major Wineries: Padthaway Estate, Browns of Padthaway, Stonehaven.
   
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• McLaren Vale

  Warm climate/Elevation 50-200m
  Climatically this region is warm and maritime with elevations of between 50m to 200m. Temperatures do vary around the region. The best sites are those protected from the prevailing afternoon southerly breezes. Rainfall is relatively low so supplementary irrigation is used, although there are many dry-grown vineyards. Significant plantings during the 1990s now makes it Australia’s third largest wine producing region. Some of the Shiraz fruit has been used for Penfolds Grange.
  
  Primary Varieties: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay.
  
  Major Wineries: Chapell Hill, Clarendon Hills, Coriole, d’Arenberg, Fox Creek Wines, Hardy’s, Noon Winery, Reynell, Rosemount Estate McLaren Vale, Wirra Wirra.
   
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• Coonawarra

  Cool climate/Elevation 60m
  The Coonawarra fruit colony was established 108 years ago and began a century of grape growing. Coonawarra is today one of the most famous red wine regions in Australia. Its weathered limestone terra rossa soils, relatively cool climate and overall water availability make it a unique vineyard site. The region, however, is extremely flat and unprotected. Consequently, it can be exposed to the swinging influences of the cool Great Southern Ocean and hot, dry northerly winds. Spring frosts are a major problem and have been known to wipe out crops.
  
  Primary Varieties: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon.
  
  Major Wineries: Balnaves, Bowen Estate, Brands of Coonawarra, Hollick, Katnook Estate, Leconfield, Lindeman's Coonawarra, Majella, Mildara, Parker Coonawarra Estate, Penley Estate, Rymill Coonawarra, Wynns Coonawarra Estate, Zema Estate.
   
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