Wine South Australia

Name: SIMPLE
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People enjoying food and wine outdoors in South Australia

Barrister's Block, Adelaide Hills. Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission

Welcome to the heart of Australian wine

The greeting here is as genuine as it gets.

Words: Katie Spain

Locals know there’s something magical about this place and are proud to share its bounty. Vignerons are particularly eager to pour a glass and share their stories. You’ll find them across South Australia’s 18 distinct wine regions; from rugged coastlines, sea-breeze kissed vistas, and rolling hills to vast inland plains.

This jigsaw of vineyards is a wonderful, progressive place and begs for exploration. The number of cellar doors is dizzying and eclectic. From sensitively restored old buildings and barns, to modern feats of architecture. If you visit a tasting room, of which there are more than 340 (200 of which are within an hour’s drive of Adelaide), chances are the winemaker and their family will be there, pouring their creations. They’re quietly proud to be global leaders, known for crafting exceptional, character-packed wines in an environment embraced by community and care.

South Australians keep it real. You can go from receiving a friendly wave and, “Hello mate,” from a farmer, to dining at a world class restaurant in a matter of minutes. Top notch hospitality is part of our DNA. Chefs, restaurateurs and winemakers are drawn here to make the most of our exceptional produce and convivial lifestyle. That’s part of the reason Adelaide is a proud member of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, making it one of just 11 cities around the world recognised for excellence in wine quality, sustainability, innovation, tourism and community spirit.

Why? It’s a no brainer really. South Australia is undeniably the wine state, producing more than 50 percent of Australia’s bottled wine and 80 percent of all premium wine. That’s a lot of excuses to explore and taste.

Nothing makes you stop, breathe a bit deeper and appreciate your surroundings quite like a spectacular glass of wine. That, and nature. In South Australia, the two are intrinsically linked.

Our regions are at the forefront of sustainability, biodiversity, thoughtful regenerative farming, and forward-thinking winemaking. History, however, is what keeps us grounded. We have a lot to learn from the original custodians of the land and the flora and fauna that call it home. Just ask the kangaroos grazing nearby and the kookaburras flying overhead, cackling at the beauty of it all. Meanwhile, deep below the earth’s surface, a diverse geological kaleidoscope dates back more than 650 million years.

South Australia is home to some of the oldest producing vines on the planet, some dating back to the 1840s, thanks to rigorous biosecurity measures which kept the state free from the vine-ravaging pest phylloxera. These gnarled, wise old beauties produce fruit with incredible intensity and character. They are living history and deserving of respect and awe.

Whether you're a seasoned wine collector or just discovering your palate, there's a place for you here. At the core of it, we are farmers. Salt of the earth people who make wine that speaks of the land from which it came. Some wines whisper, some wines scream, and others dance, but their message is undeniable: Stop. Taste. Feel.

Learn more about Wine South Australia

Our History

In order to understand what makes a globally renowned wine state tick, it is important to pause a moment and wind the clock back thousands of years.

Our People

Behind every bottle of South Australian wine is a person – often an entire family – with soil clinging to their Rossi Boots, agriculture in their hearts, and stories to tell.

Our Vines

Our state is home to some of the world’s oldest vines, due to rigorous biosecurity measures which keep the state free from the vine-ravaging pest phylloxera.

Our Sustainability Story

When a vineyard buzzes with life, you feel it. It’s there in the flutter of delicate insect wings, in the rustle of tiny beneficial predators, and in the fleeting glimpse of bees and microbats as they go about their day.

Facts & Figures

South Australia produces 80% of Australia’s premium wine, exports to 98 countries, and leads the nation in sustainable vineyards and wineries.

Adelaide: A Great Wine Capital

Adelaide, South Australia, is proudly recognised as one of the world’s leading wine destinations through its membership in the prestigious Great Wine Capitals Global Network.