When it comes to Australian wine regions that are both picturesque and accessible, you can't get much better than the Adelaide Hills. You can be away from the city traffic and among the beautiful rolling hills after a short 20-minute drive from the Adelaide CBD.
The cherry on top? The wines from Adelaide Hills' producers are some of the best in class. The cool-climate region enjoys a high elevation, with sites between 400 and 700 metres about sea level, resulting in grapes that are plump in flavour and retain good natural acidity.
Below, we spoke to three of these incredible producers: Anvers, Hahndorf Hill Winery and Vinteloper. We found out why you should visit their cellar doors and which wine of theirs you need to try.
Anvers
Winemaker Matthew Keoghan says: Recognising the potential at their uniquely-located family farm in the Southern Adelaide Hills in between Kuitpo and Blewitt Springs, Wayne and Myriam Keoghan began hand-planting cool-climate varieties in the mid-to-late 1990s.
Now, our viticultural approach is largely focused on soil health, incorporating regenerative farming practices and reducing herbicide use as much as possible. And our winemaking is focused on leveraging soil composition to a granular point, allowing us to create expressive wines with a varietal fruit core. Our vineyard is built for detail.
H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
MK. Our cellar door, housed in a historic refurbished dairy, offers guests a journey through wine and terroir delivered with warm and generous hospitality. Personalised guided tastings are available Wednesday to Sunday, providing visitors with an immersive experience off the beaten track in the Adelaide Hills.
Underpinned by marquee varieties of chardonnay and syrah, we also offer a selection of aromatic white wines and bright and elegant reds, including varieties such as gewürztraminer, gamay, barbera and pinot noir. Overlooking our family farm and estate vineyard, the venue brings together modern comfort with stunning natural surrounds.
H. What other kinds of experiences do you offer to visitors?
MK. We’re committed to telling the stories of our home, both in the glass and on the plate. Anvers Wines is home to a three-hatted and Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking our estate vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. Our modern restaurant is the place where our wines, food, and setting collide to create a sophisticated dining experience.
Pivotal to this holistic sensory experience is executive chef Connor Bishop, whose vision, technique and philosophy brings together Anvers' food and wine offering with honesty and intention. Rooted in modern Australian cuisine and inspired by our home, each dish is thoughtfully prepared to celebrate bold flavours and creative techniques, reinforcing our strong sense of place.
Wine to try
2025 Anvers Wines Syrah, Adelaide Hills
25% whole bunch; open fermenters; French oak (10% new, rest seasoned). A medium-bodied, cool-climate syrah with spice, lift and fine tannin. Aromas of black pepper, spice, raspberry and blackberry, with bright, blue fruit, spice and vibrancy on the palate. – AnversRRP $30 | Drink to 2045 | anvers.com.au | Shop this wine
Hahndorf Hill Winery
Winemaker Kelly Wellington says: Established in 2002 by Larry Jacobs and Marc Dobson, Hahndorf Hill pioneered Austrian varieties in Australia, including grüner veltliner and blaufrankisch.
Today, we continue that spirit of innovation while embracing the broader Adelaide Hills fine wine landscape, with chardonnay complementing our Austrian varieties. Our small-batch wines reflect the region’s cool climate, diverse vineyards and distinctive character.
H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
KW. Perched above the historic village of Hahndorf, our cellar door offers a relaxed, personalised introduction to cool-climate fine wine. Explore curated tasting flights featuring our distinctive Austrian varieties and regional favourites, or settle in with a glass of wine and a cheese plate on our enclosed balcony, overlooking the vineyard and rolling Adelaide Hills landscape.
H. What other kinds of experiences do you offer to visitors?
KW. Hahndorf Hill’s signature ChocoVino experience pairs boutique cool-climate wines with exceptional chocolates from leading Australian chocolatiers. Guided by terroir, this hosted tasting explores the harmony between vineyard expression and chocolate origin.
Internationally acclaimed, ChocoVino has featured in CNN’s Top 10 Global Adventures for Chocoholics and is recognised among South Australia’s leading food and wine experiences.
Wine to try
2022 Hahndorf Hill Winery The Foundling Saint Laurent, Adelaide Hills
Gosh, a beautiful wine. You could say this is the top Saint Laurent in the country, though that might be twee considering the competition, so let's say it's a heck of a fine wine. It's lightweight, with gentle tannins, pretty red fruits and an attractive alpine herb character. So seamless, so delicious, so well balanced. Exceptional persistence and finesse to this wine. Something left of centre, but also familiar. Superb. – Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion, 95 pointsRRP $65 | Drink to 2035 | hahndorfhill.com.au | Shop this wine
Vinteloper
Founder and winemaker David Bowley says: Vinteloper was founded in 2008 by a first generation dreamer, and 18 years later we’re still here! Located between Lenswood and Cudlee Creek, our specialty is pinot noir (we make four different types).
Our vineyard covers 10ha within our 30ha farm, allowing us to practice regenerative agriculture and rebuild the biodiversity of this land after the 2019 bushfire razed it. We don’t see it as managing a vineyard, we are custodians of an ecosystem where our vines are the priority species.
H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
DB. A visit to Vinteloper starts with your shoulders relaxing as the push and pull of life is left behind. Our loose luxury space has been thoughtfully considered to welcome you, like the comfort of home, and to share our ethos; fun on the outside, serious in the bottle.
Sweeping views over our vines, and the Hills beyond set the rhythm. Our Wine Bar style shared plate menu will nourish you, and whether by the fireplace in winter or under the palm trees in summer, the moments never disappoint.
H. What other kinds of experiences do you offer to visitors?
DB. We are very fortunate to have a small and highly dedicated team at Vinteloper, so a visit almost always includes a chat with our owner (David), our winemaker (Sarah) or our secret weapon (Akira). Beyond the Tasting Room is our Keyholders, who by invitation can join our regular food and wine experiences throughout the year. Think masterclasses, intimate dinners, planting trees and so much more.
Wine to try
2024 Vinteloper Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills
Wow, this is ready to go. Pinosity is at the fore – a sublime expression of the Adelaide Hills. Silken and articulated in fine skeins of red fruit – raspberry, cranberry, pomegranate, red apple skin – with a flitter of florals bringing a litheness and elegance into frame. The tannins are fine, muslin-like, draped over the fruit, containing, with fluid structure, the seamless flow of fruit. Savoury fronds, a touch of earth, a little game, the scents of warm terracotta enrapture the senses. This is as good as it gets for the price. – Katrina Butler, Halliday Wine Companion, 95 points
RRP $45 | Drink to 2034 | vinteloper.com.au | Shop this wine
Top image credit: Hahndorf Hill Winery
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