NOW EXPERIENCING:5 cellar doors in the Adelaide Hills that we’re loving right now
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5 cellar doors in the Adelaide Hills that we’re loving right now

Read time 5 Mins

Posted 12 Jan 2023

By
Patrick Boxall

A glass of pinot noir and vines at Lofty Ranges Vineyard

Cheese platters, golf challenges, live music and award-winning restaurants – welcome to the Hills. And did we mention the wine?

There are – at the time of writing – some 50 cellar doors open to visitors in the Adelaide Hills. And while we’re all for choice – the more cellar doors, the better – we have to be realistic here and admit that you’d be hard-pressed to tick off all fifty over a weekend (even a long weekend). It can be difficult for Adelaide Hills’ newcomers to know which wineries are for them so, with this in mind, we’ve put together our five favourite cellar doors to give you a taste of what the Adelaide Hills has to offer.
The stunning setting at the Geoff Hardy cellar door
1. K1 by Geoff HardyThomas Hardy is often referred to as the father of the South Australian wine industry, so it'll come as no surprise that his great-great-great-grandson – Geoff Hardy – knows his way around a wine or two. Geoff struck out from the family business in the 1980s and hasn't looked back since, with his K1 label earning international praise for premium, single-estate wines. The cellar door, which has been named as one of Australia's top cellar door experiences, is a half-hour drive from Hahndorf and set beside the estate's beautiful lake. Here, you can taste the full range of K1 wines around a hand-crafted bench made by Geoff from a centuries-old gum tree. The cellar door is especially stunning during the autumn, but this is a must-visit destination no matter when you head to the Hills.
2. Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard

Ask a local for a cellar door recommendation and odds are you’ll hear them mention Mt Lofty Ranges. It’s a highly rated winery located in Lenswood, which is a 20-minute drive from towns like Stirling and Hahndorf, and the vine-riddled views are complemented by an unforgettable restaurant and cellar door experience. The Chef-hatted restaurant, it should be said, has featured in plenty of best-of lists, and also picked up the Readers’ Choice Award for Best Regional and Best Australian Modern Cuisine in the Australian Good Food Guide – hungry yet?

Those who choose to skip the restaurant and proceed directly to the cellar door can choose from either Premium or Estate Range wine tastings. Cool-climate, single-vineyard wines are the theme of the day regardless, with sauvignon blanc, riesling, chardonnay, shiraz and pinot noir being the house specialties. You can’t go wrong with any of them, particularly when they’re enjoyed on the wooden deck overlooking the vineyard’s slopes.

3. Longview Vineyard

Forget travelling to this vineyard for a simple cellar door experience – Longview is a destination in itself, offering luxurious overnight stays at its four-and-a-half-star accommodation as well as an on-site day spa. It’s the perfect place for a romantic weekend away or a long-awaited girls’ trip, and that’s before you even sit down at the cellar door. 

Speaking of cellar doors, this one enjoyed an eye-catching rebuild in 2018 using recycled materials. It puts on a number of wine-tasting experiences for both beginners and enthusiasts, so whatever your level of knowledge or enthusiasm, you’re bound to learn something new. Even if it’s just that you really, really like wine (or cheese, for that matter). There are some really interesting wines being poured, ranging from Adelaide Hills classics like chardonnay and pinot noir, through to grüner veltliner and several red blends made from traditionally Italian varieties like nebbiolo and barbera.

Wine and cheese at the Longview cellar door
4. Saint & Scholar Saint & Scholar isn’t what we’d call a traditional cellar door. The winery is a relatively recent addition to the Adelaide Hills scene, having been established in 2018, and has now taken up residence at Maximilian’s Restaurant in the town of Verdun. For those who aren’t familiar with the local foodie scene, Maxmilian’s is a much-loved establishment known for its open fires, al fresco dining and views of the vineyard and nearby lake. There’s always a great atmosphere, with live music or DJs every Sunday, and once you’re done with your meal and/or tasting, you can take on the famous ‘Hole in One’ golf challenge. There’s a floating pontoon set up in the middle of the lake (approximately 90 metres from the tee) and if you manage to land a ball on the green, you’ll get a free drink. Hit a hole in one? Then you’ll pocket a $500 voucher, redeemable at both Maximilian’s and Saint & Scholar – game on.
The outlook at Petaluma Wines cellar door
5. Petaluma WinesThe team at Petaluma sources grapes from all over South Australia; cabernet from Coonawarra, riesling from the Clare Valley and chardonnay, shiraz and sparkling from the Adelaide Hills. This philosophy – using the best grapes, from the best regions, to suit the style of wine – means Petaluma should be at the top of your list if you want to taste the iconic wines of not only the Adelaide Hills, but also South Australia more generally. The cellar door is located in the small town of Woodside, as is an excellent cheese shop and chocolate factory, so you can satisfy your stomach and sweet tooth once your palate has experienced Petaluma's range of delicious wine flights. What's not to love?
Planning a visit to the Adelaide Hills? Be sure to check out our Adelaide Hills Vine Guide for fun facts, hot tips and all the local knowledge needed to make the most of a visit to South Australia's most underrated region.
Shop related products
Hand Crafted By Geoff HardyGruner V
Gruner V
$21.99 each
 
LongviewWhippet Sauvignon Blanc
Whippet Sauvignon Blanc
$19.99 each
 
Saint & ScholarAdelaide Hills Pinot Gris
Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris
$22.99 each
 
PetalumaPiccadilly Valley Chardonnay 750mL
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Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay 750mL
$59.99 each
 
Mt Lofty Ranges VineyardAdelaide Hills Shiraz 2018
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Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2018
$420 case (12)
 
Authour image
Patrick BoxallPatrick Boxall is a wine-loving writer based in Melbourne. His first word was 'No', and he has spent the remainder of his life attempting to remedy this poor attitude.
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