, Australia’s riesling Capital, has you spoilt for choice when it comes to sampling the regions delicious drops of vino. Home to some of Australia’s oldest wineries, Clare Valley wineries and cellar doors are rich in history and authenticity. From stone cottages inside heritage listed buildings to brand new state-of-the-art venues, get your taste buds ready to experience a wine region that is among the best in the world, right here in South Australia.
1. Mr Mick Cellar Door
Conveniently located alongside the Riesling Trail, Mr Mick Cellar Door and Kitchen is a place where Wine and Food come together. Named after the late Australian winemaking legend, K.H. Knappstein (AKA Mr Mick), winemakers Tim Adams and Brett Schutz continue Mr. Mick’s philosophy of producing “affordable wines for everyone to enjoy”. Indulge in a wine tasting with new and traditional styles of wine complete with tapas style dining in the Mr. Mick Kitchen.
2. Taylor’s Wines
A proud family-owned winery and cellar door, Taylors have been crafting great Australian wines for over 50 years in the Clare Valley. Inspired by the great produces of Bordeaux, Taylor’s Wines have an impressive catalogue of local and international award-winning drops, producing wines to stand the test of time. You can find Taylor’s just outside of Auburn, where you can relax on the well-manicured garden area with a glass of wine and cheese platter or play a game of cricket on the lawn.
3. Jim Barry Wines
Jim Barry Wines is a world-class Clare Valley producer with its wines available in more than 25 countries around the world. Jim Barry himself was a pioneer of the industry and started the winery in 1959. Impressively, the winery produces all their own fruit in 17 locations around the Clare Valley -and was named the 2020 James Halliday Winery of the Year, beating out a field of over 2,500 wineries. Take a deep dive into the history and flavours of Jim Barry Wines with their immersion tasting experience at their cellar door in the centre of Clare.
4. Pikes Wines
On 100 hectares of rolling slopes along the Polish Hill River, sits family owned winery Pikes Wines. Established in 1984, this winery continues to be family owned and operated to this day and, like all wineries in the region, is best known for its riesling. Join a 45-minute tasting and indulge in their infamous Riesling as well as other minimum intervention varieties including their shiraz or cabernet. The tasting room conveniently links up to their existing on-site brewery, Pikes Beer Company, so you can grab a glass of wine or pint of beer and retire to the alfresco area, with a relaxed garden menu on weekends.
5. Paulett Wines
Experience wines of finesse, elegance and intensity while marvelling at the views from the Paulett Wines cellar door. Nestled amid the rolling hills on the south side of the Polish Hill River, soak up the delightful flavours from winemaker Neil Paulett’s wines – including their take on riesling which has uniquely been made into four different styles. Also on offer are a sparkling red, semillon, chardonnay, cabernet merlot, botrytis riesling and a stunning shiraz.
6. Knappstein Wines
Discover something different at Knappstein’s quaint cellar door which is housed inside of a nineteenth century brewery. The cellar door and winery still operate in Clare from the original heritage listed building – circa 1878 – and is a major landmark of the Clare township. Showcasing the quality of the fruit sourced from local vineyards who are at the forefront of the wine making process, Knappstein wines create medium-bodied wines that are inviting in their youth, yet also sophisticated with age.
7. Reilly’s Wines
At Reilly’s Wines, fruit is the main character. Reilly’s wine is made from fruit grown at local Clare Valley vineyards, with minimal winemaking intervention. Visit Reilly’s cellar door and restaurant and immerse yourself in a rich history – as they continue to operate in an original stone and slate home built by Hugh Reilly in 1856. Offering fresh, locally produced food, Reilly’s restaurant delights the tastebuds with a 5-course long lunch served with personalised wine flights to match individual tastes and palates.
Stay a while in the adjacent Reilly’s Wines Heritage Bed & Breakfast Cottages just a short stroll from the cellar door and restaurants.
8. Skillogalee
Another favourite for wine lovers is boutique winery, Skillogalee. This award-winning cellar door is set within the historic old stone settlers’ cottages built in the 1850’s. Sit on the verandah with a glass of wine as you take in the sweeping views over the picturesque estate vineyards and huddle by the fire during the colder months. Sip through an immersive tasting in their cellar door, enjoy a long lunch at their impressive winery restaurant, or stay a little longer in Clare with their self-contained accommodation options.
9. O’leary Walker Wines
A child friendly winery, O’Leary Walker Wines really has something for everyone. Crafting small batches of wine from some of the best vineyard sites in South Australia, a wine tasting at O’Leary Walker wines should be on your Clare Valley bucket list. In addition to the tasty wine made from locally grown fruit their restaurant offers an elevated menu that reflects the seasonality of ingredients from the state. Catering to large groups, couples and even the fussiest eaters of them all – children – it’s an outing that ticks all the boxes and not to mention, satisfies the tastebuds.
10. Mr Nobody’s
Here to make fortified wines the hot new bar trend, is Mr Nobody. Located in a rugged stone building in the centre of Auburn, a rarefied tasting experience of fortified wines in petit vintage crystal glasses awaits. If fortified wines aren’t really your thing, simply head next door to their wine cellar door Shut the Gate for a chat, a glass of vino and chill in the garden. Complete your visit to the Clare Valley by visiting Terroir Auburn a few doors up for a sophisticated dining experience and stay the night in one of their rustic accommodation options.
INDULGE IN A LITTLE MORE CLARE VALLEY…
Discover more of what Clare Valley has to offer, besides wine with our Clare Valley itinerary. Located less than two hours from the Adelaide CBD, the Clare Valley is South Australia’s hidden gem so plan your
