Picture this: you’ve clocked off, the windows are down and you’re meandering past rolling hills and a picture-perfect sunset.

Less than an hour’s drive from Adelaide lay some of the world’s most celebrated winemaking regions – rent a car in Adelaide and get ready to discover award-winning wines and sumptuous local produce. We’ve curated a guide to the best of the best in this food and wine lover’s paradise. We’ll cover:

• Best wineries in the Adelaide Hills
• Best wineries in the Barossa Valley

Let’s jump right in and tour the best wineries Adelaide has to offer.

Best wineries in the Adelaide Hills

Welcome to the Adelaide Hills, where the air is crisp, the scenery is breathtaking, and the wines are nothing short of exquisite. Here's our guide to four of the best wineries in this enchanting region.

Nepenthe Winery

Nepenthe is renowned for its exceptional cool-climate wines. The combination of cool temperatures, high altitude and fertile soils creates a variety of microclimates – perfect for growing a wide variety of grapes.

Their hallmark cool-climate varieties – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – have time to develop more complex flavours and aromas. Visit their inviting cellar door to savour these exquisite wines and watch the day’s worries slip away with the rolling vistas.

The Lane Vineyard

The Lane Vineyard, crowned with accolades, is a symphony of flavours and natural beauty. Chef Tom Robinson's culinary artistry pairs with the vineyard's hand-crafted wines to create a memorable day out. The Gathering, a degustation-style wine tasting, is a must-try – highlighting the perfect union of single-vineyard wines and gourmet cuisine.

Golding Wines

Escape into a storybook setting at Golding Wines. Opened in 2002 by Darren and Lucy Golding, this winery blends the art of winemaking with lush, manicured gardens. Their stone barn tasting room exudes rustic elegance, and the Gingko restaurant offers al fresco dining amidst a pastoral paradise. With a collection that includes award-winning vegan wines, Golding is a testament to the diversity and creativity of the Adelaide Hills.

Sidewood Estate

Finally, let's drift to Sidewood Estate, where luxury and rustic charm blend seamlessly. This family-owned haven is not just about wine – it's an experience that stays with you. 

Whether it's a helicopter ride over the vineyards or a masterclass in winemaking, Sidewood takes you on a journey of discovery. Their Cellar Door, once a humble apple shed, invites you to sample their stellar wines, surrounded by breathtaking gardens and an inspired seasonal menu.

In the Adelaide Hills, every winery tells a story. Each glass speaks of the land, the climate, and the passionate people behind it. While these are four of the best wineries in Adelaide, they’re just the beginning of an adventure that invites you to explore, taste and fall in love with the region. So, grab your glass and let the hills whisper their secrets to you – one sip at a time.

Best wineries in the Barossa Valley

We can’t discuss the best wineries near Adelaide without taking you to the Barossa. Just a 50-minute drive northeast of Adelaide, you can wander into over 80 cellar doors, discover local drops as old as you or take a wine flight over some of the oldest vines in the world. 

Wind down your windows and take a drive through the Barossa Valley – a region synonymous with world-class wines and rich heritage. Here are four must-visit wineries that encapsulate this celebrated wine region, from single-vineyard wines, to cool-climate wonders and ancient marvels.

Artisans of Barossa

This collaborative venture brings together eight of Barossa’s most exciting small-batch winemakers, each showcasing their unique take on the region’s rich winemaking tradition. 

At Artisans of Barossa, marvel at the breathtaking Mount Lofty Ranges while you savour small batch and rare vintage wines. 

It’s a feast for your senses. Enjoy exquisite food paired with a selection of hand-crafted wines that tell the story of Barossa’s diverse terroir. Discover inventive paddock-to-plate dining at the magnificent Essen restaurant, or duck next door to the Delikatessen and Providore, where seasonal and local produce shines.

Hewitson

Hewitson stands out with its commitment to producing wines that perfectly express the soil and climate of the Barossa. They're renowned for their Old Garden Mourvèdre, one of the world's oldest Mourvèdre vineyards, which began in 1853.

An annual highlight for the Hewitson team is selecting the best barrels from the Old Garden and Monopole Vineyards. These wines are made with exclusively 1853 provenance to create the inimitable BARREL 1853 Shiraz Mourvèdre blend.

Explore the grounds to delve into history as you take in the views and sip on award-winning wines.

Henschke Cellar Door 

Nestled in the Eden Valley, Henschke is an icon of the Barossa, steeped in five generations of winemaking history. Journey through time at their Cellar Door, housed in an atmospheric 1850s woolstore. Sample world-renowned wines, including the legendary Hill of Grace Shiraz, and explore the winery’s historic and operational facets, all set against the backdrop of the majestic Eden Valley.

Murray Street Vineyards

Since its inception in 2001, Murray Street Vineyards has become a beacon of artisan winemaking. Under Head Winemaker Ben Perkins, the winery crafts bright, fruit-forward, and food-friendly wines. Don't miss this popular Barossa destination's new Artisan wine series – a testament to their innovative spirit and commitment to quality.

Each of these wineries offers a unique taste of the Barossa Valley, blending history, innovation, and a deep respect for the land. A visit is more than a tasting experience – every bottle tells the story of the Barossa's rich winemaking heritage.

Final word: the best wineries in Adelaide

So there you have it, our favourite wineries close to Adelaide. But with regions like the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa Valley to explore, you simply can’t go wrong. Pick up a car rental in South Australia, throw back the top or wind down the windows, and leave the hustle and grind behind.

Are you staying a while? Discover our favourite hikes around Adelaide.

FAQ: Driving to Adelaide’s best wineries

Of course, if you’re driving a car and visiting a winery, make sure you don’t drink so much that you exceed the legal limit. Stay safe, and make some magical memories.

What is the alcohol limit for driving?

In Australia, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving is below 0.05%. However, this limit may be lower depending on the type of driver's licence. For example, learner drivers must have a 0.00% BAC.

How many drinks can you have and drive?

It's hard to determine exactly how many drinks would keep a person under the legal BAC limit for driving, as it varies based on things like body size, how much you’ve eaten, body fat percentage, liver health, age, sex, alcohol tolerance, medications, and the strength of your drinks. Generally, the body takes about one hour to process one standard drink, but this can vary. The safest approach is to avoid drinking if you plan to drive.

What do you do at a winery?

At a winery, you can enjoy various activities such as wine tasting (where you'll sample different wines produced on-site) or join a tour to explore their vineyards and learn about the winemaking process. Some also have restaurants or cafes for dining. Some winemakers run classes for gourmet travellers to learn about wines and the winemaking process.