Adelaide Hills

Of the many valleys and rises of South Australia, Adelaide Hills is one of the largest wine regions in the area. It also has the distinction of being the oldest wine region in this part of the country: the first vines were planted in the mid-19th century. Since then, more than 50 wineries have emerged and developed to some of the finest in the country, covering the region’s lands between the Barossa and Eden valleys and the northern Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale.

LOCATION

30km East of Adelaide

TOPOGRAPHY

Located 420 metres above sea level, the topography of the Adelaide Hills generates a wide range of mircoclimates but the region is generally cooler and moister than Adelaide and the coastal plain. Soil depth is also variable due to topography, which can range from steep slopes to undulating hills, resulting in shallow stony soils to the top of hills and deep peat-like clays at the bottom of hills. 
The variation in topography and soil type can affect vine growth, and contributes greatly to wine style. Low lying areas with heavy soils provide potential for greater vigour, while higher well drained stony soil allow better vigour control, both of which can be utilised depending on the variety and wine style required.

CLIMATE

The summer months are generally warm and dry, with average temperatures considerably cooler than other Australian wine regions. In particular night time temperatures are much cooler than most surrounding wine regions. The Adelaide Hills receives a higher rainfall compared with other wine regions, with rain occurring mainly during the winter months, although rainfall does vary across the region. The further you travel east from Mount Lofty rainfall drops dramatically.