The Secret Wineries of South Australia

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The Secret Wineries of South Australia

The Secret Wineries of South Australia

Sarah Friggieri

The Secret Wineries of
South Australia

A closer look at some outstanding wines that you’ll be surprised to find out are from South Australia Words: Sarah Friggieri South Australia is the wine capital of the country, responsible for more than half the production of all Australian wine. Its wine-growing regions — including the much-talked-about Barossa, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills — have produced Jacob’s Creek, Wolf Blass and Penfolds, which have long been household names. But with over 200 cellar doors on Adelaide’s doorstep, it’s not just the big names in the spotlight. Family-owned wineries are starting to gain an unbeatable reputation. If you’re looking for a good deal on great vino, get your hands on one of these lesser-known gems on your next vacation before the price tag catches up with their reputation. Here, are five South Australian wineries that are taking the world by.

Source: Barossa Valley, timsmithwines.com.au 2. Two Hands Wines This is still a fairly young winery (the idea for it was born in 1999), but you’d never be able to tell. Sourcing fruit from six of Australia’s best shiraz-growing regions — Barossa, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Heathcote, Langhorne Creek and Padthaway — has given Two Hands the best shot at producing award-winning wines by focusing of the different characteristics each grape brings. Varieties: Shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, grenache, Semillon sauvignon blanc, moscato, riesling

Source: 273 Neldner Road, Marananga (Barossa Valley), twohandswines.com 3. K1 by Geoff Hardy Cool-climate grapes are the answer to the award-winning wines by this winery in the Adelaide Hills’ Kuitpo region, known for its wet winter and mild spring. And you won’t find just the usual favourites here — obscure drops make a welcome appearance, too. Gruner veltliner (clean, crisp, with notes of green apple and white pepper) and the dark, intense Tzimmukin (full-bodied, with notes of black cherry, plum, eucalypt and black olives with clove and cinnamon undertones) will surprise the palate in the best possible way. Varieties: Sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, rosé, pinot noir, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon

Source: 159 Tynan Road, Kuitpo (Adelaide Hills), winesbygeoffhardy.com.au 4. Yalumba Founded in 1849, Yalumba takes the title of Australia’s oldest family-owned winery. It’s not the only “first” Yalumba has under its belt: In 2007, it was the first in the world to receive the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Protection Award, crediting the sustainable viticulture program it’s been maintaining since the 1990s. Capturing the work of founder Samuel Smith, Yalumba’s deep-golden Museum Reserve 50-Year-Old Tawny NV follows through with of burnt caramel notes and a solid lend of woodiness. Varieties: Grenache, shiraz, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, viognier, roussanne, chardonnay, malbec, moscato, vermentino, semillon, pinot grigio, riesling, sangiovese, merlot, tempranillo

Source: 40 Eden Valley Road, Angaston (Barossa Valley), yalumba.com 5. Sidewood The big winner at the 2015 Decanter World Wine Awards. Taking the international trophy for ‘best rhone varietal over 15 pounds’, Sidewood’s medium-bodied 2013 Mappinga Shiraz offers the palate an intense fruit profile of black cherry, blood plum and blackberry, with a whiff of spice, pepper and sage adding another dimension. Filled with a new level of confidence, the family-owned winery has now ventured into cider production. Its apple and pear varieties are made wholly from handpicked, crushed fruit from the Adelaide Hills. Varieties: Sparkling, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, shiraz, pinot grigio, chardonnay

Source: 92 Mappinga Road, Oakbank (Adelaide Hills),sidewood.com.au Find out more about the wonderful food and wine in South Australia at http://www.southaustralia.com/en-sg or head to The Singaporean’s Guide to South Australia for more stories and videos from the series.

Source: TODAY

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