While it is no secret that South Australia is an internationally renowned wine state, some of the state’s best wineries are just a quick trip from Adelaide CBD and nestled in the heart of the Adelaide Hills region.
Yet navigating the scattered winery locations of the Adelaide Hills is proven to be a tricky task, particularly if you want to enjoy a glass or two at each destination.
Luckily the Lenswood Loop is home to several stunning wineries that are just a stone’s throw from each other, allowing Adelaidian’s to marvel at the rolling Hills scenery while discovering several wineries without hassle.
Cruise in Style
There’s no better way to cruise between these five stunning wineries than in a 1965 Chrysler Valiant Safari.
The funky aqua-coloured vehicle, affectionately nick-named Carol, is a blast from the past and will ensure that you safely get between the winery destinations. The 1965 Lobethal Bed and Breakfast team will transport you between locations, so there’s no need to worry about being stuck as the designated driver.
Carol comes equipped with Onkaparinga Woolen Mill picnic blankets, a vintage esky and a Bluetooth stereo perfectly paired with a curated swinging 60’s playlist.
The retro car can be rented for half a day, with several itineraries which will allow you to discover the gorgeous landscape of the Northern Adelaide Hills region.
For tour enquiries and availability call, 0457 755 394 or visit the 1965 Lobethal website.
Now, here’s the gorgeous wineries you’ll want to explore along the way:
Anderson Hill, 407 Croft Road, Lenswood
Recently awarded the world’s best Shiraz, Anderson Hill crafts cool climate wines from their rolling 32-acre Lenswood vineyard.
Experience the magic of Anderson Hill wines as the knowledgeable staff guide you through two wine flights that showcases the vineyards stunning A, O and R series. Best known for their bright sparkling, chardonnay and shiraz, these flights are designed to highlight Anderson Hill’s unique terroir.
Soak up the sunshine on the outdoor deck and lawn area as you treat yourself to pizzas, platters and seasonal small plates from the winery’s restaurant and a glass of award-winning wine. The restaurant is open Wednesday through to Sunday 11am – 5pm.
Anderson Hill prides itself on living amongst the environment, hand-pruning and hand-picking their grapes to ensure premium quality and intense flavour each vintage.
To find out more, head to the Anderson Hill website and Facebook.
Pike & Joyce, 730 Mawson Road, Lenswood
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Adelaide Hills wine region at Pike & Joyce’s 180-degree view panoramic tasting room. Situated at the top of the 25-hectare vineyard, the winery is a popular stopover for wine tours as well as a family-friendly location.
Residing at one of the highest locations in the Hills, the cooler climate has seen Pike & Joyce produce stunning drops of Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir.
For those after a flight and a bite, the tasting room is open seven days a week between 11 am and 4 pm, with cheese boards and other small grazing nibbles available.
If you are looking for a longer lunch, the winery offers a five-course degustation Thursday through to Sunday for $75 per person, with each meal perfectly paired with Pike & Joyce wine for an extra $30. Visitors can also order a spot of lunch from the a la carte menu on Thursday and Friday.
To find out more, head to the Pike & Joyce website and Facebook.
Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard, 166 Harris Road, Lenswood
Noted as one of the highest vineyards in South Australia, the 5-star Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard and cellar door is not one to miss. Visit the intimate cellar door and marvel at the stunning backdrop of the sloping Lenswood vineyard in the heart of the Adelaide Hills.
Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard boasts a range of hand-pruned and crafted wines, producing award-winning drops of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
Stop for an array of flights, expertly guided by knowledgeable hosts and understand the unique terroir of the single-vineyard wines.
For fine dining fanatics, Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard is chef-hatted and ranked in the Top 100 restaurants in the state. Honing in on the rustic ambience of the Lenswood estate, the vineyard produces paddock to plate dishes that champions local SA produce.
The restaurant is open seven days a week, with small dishes available Monday to Thursday, with a 3-course meal available Friday to Sunday.
To find out more, head to the Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyards website and Facebook.
Tilbrook Estate, 1856 Lobethal Road, Lobethal
After losing 90 per cent of the Tilbrook Estate vineyards to South Australia’s devastating 2019 Cudlee Creek bushfires winemaker James Tilbrook re-opened a brand new cellar door earlier this year.
Situated within the cooler climates of the Adelaide wine regions, Tilbrook Estate is known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, drawing inspiration from classic winemakers in France.
While most of the vineyard and stock was decimated during the Black Summer bushfires two local wineries came to the rescue, donating and selling wine to Tilbrook Estate.
Now, aptly serving under a new wine label ‘Hope!’ – a gentle nod to the resilience of winery – you can expect fine drops of Pinot Noir and Sparkling Rosé from this year’s vintage.
Gaze at the sweeping views of the Onkaparinga Valley during summer as you graze on local produce platters or cozy up in front of the log fire in winter as you indulge in the Tilbrook reds.
To find out more, head to the Tilbrook Estate website and Facebook.
Golding Wines, 52 Western Branch Road, Lobethal
Residing on the outskirts of Lobethal lies Golding Wines, the beautiful family-owned winery high up in the Adelaide Hills.
Cultivating an ever-evolving garden adjacent to their cellar door, the winery offers picturesque views all year long and is the idyllic place to share good wine and food with friends.
Visit the contemporary-meets-rustic tasting room and enjoy a flight of wine or indulge in wood-fired dishes and seasonal plates at Golding Wines Ginkgo Restaurant.
Awarded Gourmet Traveller Best Tasting Experience last year, the vineyard hosts an array of unique experiences, such as the wine safari experience, which allows visitors to traverse the stunning undulating Golding vineyards as you taste the latest wine.
As the Cuddle Creek fires continued to rage in late 2019, Golding Wines was another casualty lost at the hands of the devastating bushfires. Currently, the winery is closed for renovations and will reopen 30 August 2021.
To find out more, head to the Golding Wines website and Facebook.
Cheers!
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