Discover the Best Wineries in the Adelaide Hills 🍇

Guests frequently ask us for suggestions on wineries to visit. With so many in the area, each with their own appeal we thought it was time to create our own ‘best of’ post to provide a guidepost for visitors to the area.

Just a short and scenic drive from Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills are a cool-climate paradise for wine lovers. Whether you're seeking gourmet dining, sweeping views, award-winning wines, or memorable experiences, this guide covers the best of the region—from restaurants to cellar doors, architecture to acoustics. Best of all if you are staying with us, all this is on your doorstep!

Best Restaurant — Longview Vineyard

Why it shines: Longview has evolved from a casual winery to a full-service restaurant showcasing refined dishes like vitello tonnato and gnocchi—perfectly paired with estate-grown wines.

Details:

• Address: 38 Pain Road, Hahndorf SA 5245

• Phone: +61 8 8398 7219

• Website: longviewvineyard.com.au

Expect plating that’s both polished and comforting, transporting you to northern Italy with every bite.

Best View — Nepenthe Cellar Door

Why go: Perched above rolling vineyards near Balhannah, Nepenthe offers sublime panoramas—especially breathtaking at sunset over cascading grapevines.

Details:

• Address: 93 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Balhannah SA 5242

• Phone: +61 8 8388 7701

• Website: nepenthe.com.au

Sip sparkling on the deck, watch the glow of the landscape shift, and breathe in that fresh hillside air.

Best Cellar Door — Bird in Hand

Why it stands out: Bird in Hand is an institution in the region, renowned for its modern rustic cellar door, award-winning M.A.C Shiraz, and engaging tasting experiences—complete with art exhibitions.

Details:

• Address: 136 Jones Road, Balhannah SA 5242

• Phone: +61 8 8398 7222

• Website: birdinhand.com.au

Tour their sleek spaces, taste acclaimed wines, and soak up the vibrant, cultured atmosphere.

Best Casual Food — Golding Wines

Why it delights: A converted stone barn near Lobethal, Golding Wines is perfect for relaxed tasting flights accompanied by seasonal share plates. Family and laidback vibes abound.

Details:

• Address: 52 Western Branch Road, Lobethal SA 5241

• Phone: +61 8 8389 7338

• Website: goldingwines.com.au

Come for a cheese-lined board, linger over a splash of pinot, and enjoy conversations under gentle lamp-light.

Most Beautiful Architecture — Simon Tolley Wines

Why it impresses: Combining timber, stone, and clean lines, this tasting room is a tactile dream nestled in the vines—marrying modern minimalism with rustic charm.

Details:

• Address: 278 Bird in Hand Road, Woodside SA 5244

• Phone: +61 8 8389 7688

• Website: simontolleywines.com

A refuge for design lovers and anyone who appreciates the marriage of form and nature in an architectural gem.

Most Acclaimed Wines — Hahndorf Hill Winery

Why it earns the crown: A pioneer of Austrian varietals in South Australia, especially the Grüner Veltliner. Since 2006, they’ve imported Austro‑clones and led the region’s diversification.

Details:

• Address: 38 Pain Road, Hahndorf SA 5245

• Phone: +61 8 8388 7389

• Website: hahndorfhill.com.au

Expect crisp whites, herbal nuances, and a sense of Old World meeting New in every glass.

Best All‑Round — Greenhill Wines

Why it's ideal: Nestled in a 144‑year‑old cottage overlooking Piccadilly Valley, this is the perfect blend of excellent pinot and chardonnay, wood-fired dishes, and warm country hospitality.

Details:

• Address: 1016 Greenhill Road, Summertown SA 5141

• Phone: +61 8 8390 7995

• Website: greenhillwines.com.au

Stop in for elegant simplicity: good food, great wine, and cozy charm.

Best Music Venue — Sinclair’s Gully

Why it hits the high notes: This unique winery doubles as an intimate music venue nestled in a 20‑acre candlebark forest. Regular live events, acoustic sessions, and “Fizzology” sparkling-making workshops make it a sensory win-win (Sinclair's Gully Winery, Australia247).

Details:

• Address: 288 Colonial Drive, Norton Summit SA 5136

• Phone: +61 409 691 995 (also listed as (08) 8390 1995) (Australia247)

• Email: sinclairsgully@gmail.com

• Website: sinclairsgully.com

What to expect:

• Seasonal live music: From local singer-songwriters to cultural ensembles, every Sunday afternoon is a memorable blend of music and wine (Sinclair's Gully Winery).

• Nature-immersed ambience: Picture sipping a crisp sauvignon under towering candlebarks, accompanied by black cockatoos overhead (Adelaide Hills).

• Fully sustainable vibe: Cellar door and music venue built with zero-impact credentials—biodynamic vineyard, forest sanctuary, and conservation-minded ethos (Adelaide Fringe).

If you crave a little melody with your mouthfuls, Sinclair’s Gully balances acoustics, ambiance, and Adelaide Hills charm in equal measure.

Honourable Mention — Vinteloper

Why visit: After being rebuilt post-2019 bushfires, this boutique cellar door offers award-winning 2023 pinot noir, grazing plates, and heartwarming charm.

Details:

• Address: 965 Lobethal Road, Balhannah SA 5242

• Phone: +61 8 8388 7882

• Website: vinteloper.com

Enjoy peaceful, post-fire rebirth vibes along with thoughtful food and drink.

How to Plan Your Ultimate Adelaide Hills Day

Start in Hahndorf for breakfast, then move through these hotspots:

1. Morning

   • Begin with crisp whites at Hahndorf Hill.

   • Cross to Nepenthe for iconic afternoon views.

2. Midday

   • Head to Bird in Hand for a cellar door tour and tasting.

   • Pause for lunch and architecture at Simon Tolley.

3. Afternoon

   • Drop into Golding Wines for casual bites and local company.

   • Swing by Vinteloper for a late-afternoon snack.

4. Evening Finale

   • Settle into Sinclair’s Gully for a live music show under the gums.

   • Optionally wrap with dinner at Longview or Greenhill if time and appetite allow.

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That’s a rounded mix of scenery, sips, sophistication—and song.

Top Tips for Wine Touring Bliss

• Book ahead: Restaurant seating (Longview, Greenhill) and music events (Sinclair’s Gully) often require pre-booking.

• Travel wisely: Cluster visits by area—Balhannah, Hahndorf, Woodside—to minimize time on the road.

• Sip smart: Start with whites and sparklings, then move to reds; hydrate and opt for small pours later in the day.

• Stay sustainable: BYO picnic set-up is welcomed at Newenten and Sinclair’s Gully; remember to bring plates and glasses.

• Enjoy the cool: Adelaide Hills is slower to warm—perfect for lush, zesty wines and cozy vineyard settings.

• Book a car and driver: You know why (-:

What Makes the Adelaide Hills Special

This region stands out for its elevated terrain, cooler climate, and rich diversity of varietals—think pinot, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, Grüner Veltliner, sparkling—and a laidback, artisanal focus (Sinclair's Gully Winery, Australia247, Sinclair's Gully Winery, Adelaide Hills).

Wineries here blend heritage and innovation, crafting experiences that personalize each visit—not just in taste, but in ambiance, architecture, and connection to nature.

Quick “Best Of” at a Glance

Category	Winery
Best Restaurant	Longview
Best View	Nepenthe
Best Cellar Door	Bird in Hand
Best Casual Food	Golding Wines
Most Beautiful Architecture	Simon Tolley Wines
Most Acclaimed Wines	Hahndorf Hill
Best All-around	Greenhill Wines
Best Music Venue	Sinclair’s Gully
Honourable Mention	Vinteloper

Spotlight: Why Sinclair’s Gully Earns “Best Music Venue”

• Live music under the gum trees: A unique, forest-surrounded stage offering everything from folk to roots and cultural fusion (Adelaide Fringe, Australia247, Sinclair's Gully Winery, Adelaide Fringe).

• Eco-conscious design: Built with sustainability in mind—from vineyard methods to venue structure (Adelaide Fringe, Sinclair's Gully Winery).

• Sparkling education: Join a hands-on “Fizzology” session to create your own sparkling wine masterpiece (Sinclair's Gully Winery).

• Inclusive atmosphere: Family-friendly, wheelchair-accessible, picnic-ready, and welcoming—just bring your rug and your tunes (South Australia).

• They also happen to be right next door to us!

This is more than just a stop—it’s an immersive experience that stays with you long after the bottle is empty.

🍇 To Wrap Up

The Adelaide Hills offer a rich tapestry of wine experiences—gourmet dining, scenic tasting, iconic architecture, trailblazing varietals, and musical interludes. With your itinerary locked in, get ready for a day of discovery:

• Start with breakfast in Hahndorf.

• Visit Hahndorf Hill, Nepenthe, Bird in Hand and Simon Tolley.

• Enjoy casual environs at Golding and snack time at Vinteloper.

• Unwind with live music at Sinclair’s Gully.

• Cap off with dinner at Longview or Greenhill if you wish.

Whether you're here for the food, the wine, the design—or the chance to hear live music among eucalyptus—you’ll find a blend of sophistication, sincerity, and sustainable spirit.

Cheers to your Adelaide Hills adventure—where every sip tells a story, every view takes your breath away, and every melody adds to the magic.