The Best Wineries in South Australia to Swill & Sip Away the Afternoon

Boasting an abundance of rolling vineyards and exquisite wineries beside them, South Australia stands as a premier destination for winemaking. Just a short drive from Adelaide CBD, you can be among South Australia’s best wineries, some who offer intimate experiences to large estates with farm to plate restaurants and award-winning tasting rooms and cellar doors.  These regions are home to the best wineries in South Australia that will tantalise the senses and leave a mark on every wine lover’s palette.

Whatever your preferred drop is, be it a fruit-flavoured red or a cool-climate pinot noir, you will find it in the stunning surrounds of the Barossa Valley wineries, McLaren Vale or Adelaide Hills wineries. Grab the girls and start swirling and sipping your way through our round-up of the best wineries in South Australia.

Seppeltsfield Wines

When in the Barossa Valley, wine-lovers make a point of stopping by Seppeltsfield – a wine, food and art lover’s dream. Located in a redeveloped 1900 Seppelt Bolting Hall, the cellar door has visitors swooning over its centerpiece fireplace. But really, it’s the separate circular tasting alcoves for tasting their famed Riesling and Shiraz, that win people over (bookings are a must). Combine this with Segway tours, heritage tours, and the chance to be a cooper for a day, and you’ll quickly see why Seppeltsfield is one of the best wineries in South Australia. For the serious foodies, be sure to book in a decadent meal at award-winning FINO Seppeltsfield – one of South Australia’s most popular regional restaurants, naturally boasting a wine list as impressive as the food itself.

Cellar door: 10.30am-5pm

730 Seppeltsfield Road, Seppeltsfield, Barossa Valley

Jacob's Creek

A top contender for being one of the best wineries in South Australia, the iconic Jacob's Creek is a huge crowd-pleaser. Set on 42-hectares along the banks of the creek it was named after, Jacob’s Creek has a line-up of experiences that highlight their wines and local produce, from four-course lunches and cooking classes to picnics among the vines to making your own blends. If you want to stay a little longer (we don’t blame you) round out your visit with a night in their 19th century Settler’s Cottage. 

Cellar door: 10am- 4.30pm

2129 Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat

Two Hands Wines

Along the Western Ranges of the Barossa Valley, Two Hands Wines is a standout in a region that boasts some of the best wineries in South Australia. Wine tastings are done at Kraehe House, complete with a stunning tasting deck and courtyard, and the charming late 19th century stone cottage has an adjoining bakehouse. Known for their Shiraz and varietals, the vineyard steps it up a notch with private tours of the vineyard, including 4WD Defender off-road tours.  

Cellar door: 11am- 5pm

273 Neldner Road, Marananga

St Hugo

Traditions run deep in the family-owned St Hugo Winery. Hailing back to the 1840s, St Hugo has curated a winery experience that shines a spotlight on their collection of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Guided tastings and one-hour behind the scenes guided tours will whet your appetite for the ultimate foodie experience at St Hugo Restaurant, who expertly pair their seasonal tasting menu with their wines. Our advice? Book the Chef’s Table to watch the chefs at work, interacting with them as they discuss ingredients and techniques.

Cellar door: 10.30am-4.30pm Friday-Monday

2141 Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat

Hentley Farm

For those who prefer the finer things in life, you cannot look past the stunning Hentley Farm. Book into their superb fine dining restaurant for a chef’s tasting or discovery course with paired wines you will remember for years to come – it is a 3-hour experience at one of South Australia’s finest regional restaurants after all. To keep it a little more relaxed, the charming cellar door offers visitors the chance to try the fruity varieties of the region, in a beautiful heritage cottage dating back to the 1840’s.

Cellar door: 10am - 4pm

Corner of Gerald Roberts Road and Jenke Roads, Seppeltsfield

Coriole Vineyards

Set within the picturesque rolling hills of McLaren Vale, Coriole Vineyards is a family-run business, owned and managed by the Lloyd family. Settle in at the restaurant for a long lunch from Thursday-Monday or visit the cellar door for a wine tasting any day of the week. One thing is for sure: Coriole’s historic grounds are full of character, the seasonal produce is expertly prepared and plated, and the wines are perfect for just about any occasion.

Cellar door: 11am- 5pm

Chaffeys Road, McLaren Vale

Hardy's Tintara

Located on the main street of McLaren Vale, Hardy’s Tintara is a family-run winery that has been in operation for more than 160 years. Stop by this historic cellar door for a wine tasting that doubles as a history lesson, as you work your way through the winery viewing platform, fortified room and still house. 

Cellar door: 11am- 4pm

202 Main Road, McLaren Vale

Paxton Wines

For anyone interested in organic or biodynamic winemaking, a visit to Paxton Wines is a must. This family-owned vineyard in McLaren Vale is renowned for its red wines which are made using grapes that have been farmed without the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. Did we mention that they taste great too? 

Cellar door: 10am-5pm

Via Budgens Road, 68 Wheaton Road, McLaren Vale

d'Arenberg

Long before their Rubik Cube building, d’Arenberg was a standout in South Australia’s wine-making scene and has stood the test of time as one of South Australia’s best wineries. One of the most awarded wineries in the region, this four-generation strong vineyard is a short 45-minute drive south of Adelaide. Set in the McLaren Vale wine region, there is so much going on, from the cellar door (bookings are a must) to d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant to d’Arenberg Cube, which houses a restaurant, an Alternate Realities Museum and art installations. If you really want to get hands-on, The Blending Bench experience is where you can play winemaker for the day.

Cellar door: 10.30am-4.30pm

Osborn Road, McLaren Vale

Wirra Wirra

Having made quite the name for themselves with their shiraz and Church Block range, Wirra Wirra is a popular stop along the McLaren Valley winery trail. The historic ironstone buildings house the cellar door and Harry’s Deli – a provedore style café that boasts a menu full of South Australian produce. After some wine tasting and a behind the scenes tour, order a regional platter from the deli and head out into the gardens overlooking the vineyards, a lush lawn area with barbeque facilities (make sure to book ahead).

Cellar door: 10am-5pm, Monday-Saturday; 11am-5pm, Sunday

255 Strout Road, McLaren Vale

Gemtree Wines

An environmentally conscious winery, Gemtree Wines is an organic and biodynamic vineyard that lives wholly by its ethos. The tasting room, built from recycled materials and powered by solar panels, has an outdoor deck that overlooks the vineyard and lush lawn. Their Foundation Wines showcase the diversity of the varieties, which you can taste in Small Batch Flights with grazing platters. Once done, take the self-guided walk through the Ecotrail to get a better understanding of Gemtree’s wines.

Cellar door: 11am- 5pm

167 Elliott Road, McLaren Flat

Alpha Box and Dice

If there is a winery that will stick with you long after you visit, it will be the cute and quirky Alpha Box & Dice, tucked away in yet another vineyard of McLaren Vale. The cellar door is housed in a heritage-listed barn and showcases the ‘Alphabet of Wine’ the brand embodies and continues to work towards. Each letter represents an individual story behind a wine, creating a unique wine-tasting experience. Inside the barn, the inviting mahogany décor is the ideal place to stay warm during the cooler months, and when the summer swings in, you can take a rug to the lawn or find a spot at a bench outside to enjoy your alphabetised vino. Bookings are recommended.

Cellar door: 10am – 5pm

8 Olivers Road, McLaren Vale

Penfolds Magill Estate

Sitting along the foothills of Mount Lofty Ranges in Adelaide Hills, Penfolds Magill Estate is one of the best (and most iconic) wineries in South Australia. Their cellar door is only 8-kilometres from Adelaide’s CBD, making it easy to stop by for a wine tasting tour (in English or Mandarin), or lunch at their fine dining restaurant which offers decadent degustation experiences. For something a little more casual, Magill Estate Kitchen has a more laidback lunch and wine pairings. But let’s be honest. What you’re really here for are their award-winning Grange wines, right?

Cellar door: 10am- 5pm

78 Penfold Road, Magill

Bird in Hand

Named the Red Winemaker of the Year, Bird in Hand is the gem of Adelaide Hills. It’s the kind of place where you linger for a while; a cellar door that provides tutored tastings and has wines you can’t drink anywhere else, including their late releases and cellar museum selections. Their restaurant, The Gallery, champions ingredients from their kitchen garden and local growers. Short on time? Not a problem, their cheese and antipasti are perfect during tastings.

Note: The restaurant is closed for renovations, the cellar door is open and welcoming visitors.

Cellar Door: 11am-5pm

Bird in Hand & Pfeiffer Roads, Woodside

The Lane Vineyard

With views like these, you won’t be going anywhere fast. The Lane Vineyard’s dreamy location in Adelaide Hills is a head-turner, but that’s not all that makes this one of the best wineries in South Australia. Indulge in The Lane’s award-winning tasting experience while overlooking Adelaide Hills, and then head over to the chic dining room for a leisurely lunch of The Lane’s single-vineyard wines paired with a menu that shines a spotlight on the best of South Australian produce.

Cellar door: 10am- 5pm

5 Ravenswood Lane, Hahndorf

Shaw + Smith

Recently awarded with the Best Tasting Experience in 2022 by Gourmet Traveller, you’d be hard-pressed to find a reason not to book in for a tasting at the recently renovated and very chic Shaw + Smith. Offering several types of wine tasting flights, this is a beautiful spot to try the cooler climate wines that thrive in the region. A more comprehensive tour of the winery and vineyards at Balhannah is also available, where you can try a drop of Pinot Noir, Reisling, Chardonnay and Shiraz. Small, cold share plates are available to accompany your tasting, and bookings are recommended as this venue only continues to grow in popularity.

Cellar door: 11am- 5pm

136 Jones Road, Balhannah

Want to discover more of the best wineries in South Australia? Check out our guide on the best wineries in Adelaide Hills or turn it into a couple's getaway with our roundup of the best romantic getaways in South Australia.