Australia

Adelaide Hills

South Australia, just 15 minutes east of Adelaide, sprawling across the cool Mount Lofty Ranges.

Cool maritime with significant rainfall; 400-650m altitude gives crisp acidity in white wines.

The Adelaide Hills, spread over the cool higher slopes above Adelaide, is Australia's most exciting cool-climate region. Its crisp, aromatic whites - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling - and delicate Pinot Noir delight a generation of wine lovers.

The 1970s pioneers faced scepticism for planting so cool and so high, but their bet paid off with wines of unusual freshness and perfume for Australian conditions.

For the buyer, the Adelaide Hills delivers a confident, food-friendly wine experience and is Australia's best source of vivid, chilled whites.

Terroir & Soil

Hills and valleys with loam, clay, slate and granite; the cool air and rich soils suit aromatic whites.

What to Expect from the Wines

  • · Adelaide Hills is Australia's coolest major region, a treasure-chest of fresh Sauvignon Blanc, elegant Chardonnay and vibrant Pinot Noir.
  • · Its high vines yield crisp, floral whites and silky reds.
  • · The region also leads Australia's 'alternative varieties' movement, growing Grüner Veltliner and more.

Remarkable Bottles from Adelaide Hills

All wines →
red

Henschke Hill of Grace

Adelaide Hills · 2024 (representative vintage)

Henschke Hill of Grace is an red wine from Australia, in the Adelaide Hills region (South Australia, just 15 minutes east of Adelaide, sprawling across the cool Mount Lofty Ranges.), made principally from Shiraz. Australia's most beautiful Shiraz, from pre-phylloxera vines in the Eden Valley — Penfolds Grange's great rival.

$600–$1000 est. retail

white

Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc

Adelaide Hills · 2024 (representative vintage)

Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc is an white wine from Australia, in the Adelaide Hills region (South Australia, just 15 minutes east of Adelaide, sprawling across the cool Mount Lofty Ranges.), made principally from Sauvignon Blanc. a house-style Adelaide Hills sauvignon blanc that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

white

Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

Adelaide Hills · 2024 (representative vintage)

Adelaide Hills Chardonnay is an white wine from Australia, in the Adelaide Hills region (South Australia, just 15 minutes east of Adelaide, sprawling across the cool Mount Lofty Ranges.), made principally from Chardonnay. a house-style Adelaide Hills chardonnay that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

red

Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir

Adelaide Hills · 2024 (representative vintage)

Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir is an red wine from Australia, in the Adelaide Hills region (South Australia, just 15 minutes east of Adelaide, sprawling across the cool Mount Lofty Ranges.), made principally from Pinot Noir. a house-style Adelaide Hills pinot noir that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

red

Adelaide Hills Shiraz

Adelaide Hills · 2024 (representative vintage)

Adelaide Hills Shiraz is an red wine from Australia, in the Adelaide Hills region (South Australia, just 15 minutes east of Adelaide, sprawling across the cool Mount Lofty Ranges.), made principally from Shiraz. a house-style Adelaide Hills shiraz that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

white

Adelaide Hills Riesling

Adelaide Hills · 2024 (representative vintage)

Adelaide Hills Riesling is an white wine from Australia, in the Adelaide Hills region (South Australia, just 15 minutes east of Adelaide, sprawling across the cool Mount Lofty Ranges.), made principally from Riesling. a house-style Adelaide Hills riesling that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

Food Pairing

  • · Sauvignon Blanc pairs with salads, seafood and goats cheese.
  • · Chardonnay goes with roast chicken and creamy sauces.
  • · Pinot Noir is delicious with duck and grilled salmon.

Buying from Adelaide Hills

  • › Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are the quality benchmarks; seek out cooler sub-region bottlings.
  • › Shiraz from the Hills is savoury and peppery, a contrast with the Barossa.
  • › Pinot Noir and the new Austrian and Italian whites round out a versatile region.