The Adelaide Hills is home to more than 50 cellar doors and over 90 wine labels. Less than half an hour from the CBD, the region is the ultimate weekend escape or long lunch destination. Take a cellar door tour and experience the cool-climate, contemporary wines on offer.
Here are four cellar doors – Tapanappa, Sidewood Estate, Mt Bera Vineyards, and Mordrelle Wines – to visit on your next trip to the Hills.
Tapanappa
The Tapanappa cellar door sits atop the winery at the foot of the oldest vineyard in the Adelaide Hills – The Tiers Vineyard. The Tiers Vineyard is recognised for its outstanding chardonnay which was first planted in 1979. A tree-lined clos frames the tasting vista, overlooking this spectacular vineyard in the beautifully cool Piccadilly Valley. Tapanappa is the continuation of the 40-year mission of pioneering winemaker Brian Croser and his family to make world-class wines from the most distinguished sites in South Australia.Tapanappa's winery, cellar door and Tiers Vineyard are in the coolest, wettest location in the Adelaide Hills, which allows the team to make linear, but expressive, cool-climate chardonnay. They also make pinot noir from Parawa in the Fleurieu Peninsula and cabernet blends from Wrattonbully.
Tapanappa is also home to Terre à Terre and Piccadilly sparkling wine DAOSA produced by Brian’s son-in-law and daughter Xavier and Lucy Bizot.
Inside the cellar door, guests can enjoy a guided tasting of the wines from all three labels – Tapanappa, DAOSA and Terre à Terre – matched to local cheese and produce. The cellar door is the idyllic setting to relax and explore the complete range of wines across the three brands. Bookings are recommended and they are open seven days a week, 11am until 4pm. Group maximums of eight per tasting experience. All tasting experiences are $25 per person, or complimentary for wine club members.
Winemaker Brian Croser says: We are passionate viticulturists. Tapanappa, DAOSA and Terre à Terre, all share a similar philosophy around fruit and vineyards. We own and manage our vines by hand, and hand-pick from each and every site. Winemaking is to complement and support the high quality of the fruit we've grown – such as considered use of French oak, and yeast cultures we've developed to suit the grapes.
Local favourite spot: We are very close to the beautiful Mount Lofty Gardens, which is perfect for a picnic. Brid is a wonderful coffee shop and bakery (from who we source our sourdough for our cellar door). We are lucky to have a number of pubs with great wines lists – The Crafers, The Stirling and The Stanley Bridge Hotel.
Find out more | 15 Spring Gully Road, Piccadilly | (08) 7324 5301
Sidewood Estate
Just a 25-minute drive from Adelaide CBD, Sidewood Estate offers a unique and immersive cellar door and restaurant experience. The team pride themselves on producing exceptional wines, as well as creating a welcoming and unforgettable atmosphere for guests.The cellar door offers guided tastings, unique Sabrage masterclasses, and education wine experiences led by the knowledgable Sidewood team. The award-winning restaurant offers tasting flights matched to a carefully considered menu – curated by executive chef Jamie Carter. Each dish champions high-quality, local produce and is designed to perfectly complement Sidewood wines.
Sidewood is home to four exceptional vineyards located across Oakbank, Charleston, Nairne and Echunga in the Adelaide Hills. With a strong focus on viticultural excellence, the vineyards benefit from the region's cool climate, which averages four degrees cooler during the day and eight degrees cooler at night, compared to other South Australian regions.
The variation in rainfall and soil types contributes to the distinct attributes of the wines. Meticulous care is given to hand-picking and fruit selection, ensuring only the best grapes are used. Led by experienced viticulturists, the dedicated team ensures the highest standards of vineyard management, resulting in exceptional fruit quality and the expression of unique terroir in the wines.
Owner and vigneron Owen Inglis says: Our winery and cellar door can be best described as a haven for wine enthusiasts seeking a memorable and authentic experience. We combine the beauty of our vineyard landscapes with the craftsmanship of winemaking, creating an inviting space to indulge in the best that the Adelaide Hills has to offer.
Local favourite spot: Australia's oldest art studio, The Cedars, located just a few minutes from us in historic Hahndorf. It was the home of renowned landscape painter Sir Hans Heysen and his family and features captivating artworks by Hans and his daughter Nora. Sidewood has a strong connection to art and we always recommend a visit.
Find out more | 6 River Road, Hahndorf | 0437 666 799
Mt Bera
Set in a beautiful and tranquil setting, Mt Bera is a fabulous destination when visiting the Adelaide Hills, or a stopover on your way through to the Barossa Valley.The Mt Bera cellar door and restaurant are set in park-like gardens overlooking the Torrens Valley. Only a 40-minute drive from Adelaide’s CBD, Mt Bera prides itself on offering the highest quality – from fine dining and tasting flights through to its knowledgable staff and surroundings.
The Vineyard Cottage BnB offers onsite accommodation, and the winery is only a short walk from the cellar door.
The Mt Bera vineyards are draped over the hills and valleys along the south of the Torrens Gorge between Cudlee Creek and Gumeracha. The soil is highly paramagnetic with rich and deep clay loam soils that have a high iron content. The topography is so variable that a 10 metre movement can provide 15–20 degree evening temperature variations. The warmth in the day provides the ripening, while the night provides natural acid and spice retention.
Owner Greg Horner says: We fell in love with the beautiful remote ruggedness of Mt Bera. The topographical variation provides a large range of microclimates, which allows us to grow a wide range of grapes that normally don’t excel in the same conditions. The area exudes energy – shown by the giant red gums growing all around our property and felt by so many people.
The beauty of our range is that the entry point to our wines can be anywhere, but the wines that excite me the most are the rich, complex whites such as the Boundless Horizons Grüner Veltliner, and reds such as zweigelt, pinot noir, blaufränkisch, and tempranillo. The Mt Bera wine signature we love is one of spice and balance. Seasonal variations provide that spice and the final stamp of difference each year.
Local favourite spot: We absolutely love the northern end of the Adelaide Hills. It provides the natural ruggedness of the area but is a great central point to explore the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa – but located only 40 minutes from the Adelaide CBD. Explore the many bush walks or other outdoor activities, but for wine and food lovers the area has become a delight to explore with wineries and their associated restaurants within a short drive from Adelaide.
Find out more | 198c Torrens Valley Road, Gumeracha | (08) 8189 6030
Mordrelle Wines
Mordrelle Wines, located just four kilometres from the main town of Hahndorf, offer tailored tastings in the art gallery and tasting room. Guests will be face-to-face with the winemaker and co-owner, Martin Moran, and David Dreckow (co-owner and proprietor). The winery is situated at the top of the hill, inviting you to take in outstanding views of the region.Experience a vast and exquisite selection of wines, including the Blanc de Blancs (which spends five to 10 years on lees), several still whites and pinot noir from the Adelaide Hills. You can also try a great selection of high-scoring reds, that James Halliday describes as "eight glorious reds from Langhorne Creek” (The Australian). The reds include a selection of Martin’s favourite wines – a malbec, a malbec blend, a barbera, a tempranillo, an elegant cabernet sauvignon, and a premium shiraz, along with the new release garnacha.
The art gallery and tasting room adds an extra dimension while you taste the wines. Guests can view original artworks painted by Martin’s father, Jose Luis Moran (1938–2010). There are more than 300 original paintings in Martin's collection, which he brought to Australia from Argentina.
Book a half day to experience Mordrelle's Argentinian barbecue. Martin will captain the grill, cooking several cuts of meat on the fire. For vegetarians and vegans, roast vegetables are available on request.
Winemaker Dr. Martin Moran says: We like to work with vignerons that grow fruit in a sustainable or organic manner. Our 2022 sparkling wines, chardonnay, and pinot noir, are each made from fruit that is certified organic. Our Langhorne Creek fruit has been certified as sustainable since 2017. We only use the best fruit, and there are other factors we look at, such as facing slopes, clone material, practical management, soil health, and irrigation – each will impact the quality of the fruit. We work closely with the viticulturists to grow fruit of the highest quality.
Local favourite spot: I love any local spot in the Hills, but Hahndorf has plenty of charm. Restaurants such as Gepetto’s and the Haus, and pubs like Old Mill and Hahndorf Inn have a great selection of local wines. The new wine bar, Vine & Essen, is highly recommended. If you're looking for a tour guide around the Hills, Darryl from Touring South Australia is a local chauffeur with amazing knowledge.
Find out more | Cellar door bookings are by appointment only. For tastings or to book an Argentinian barbecue and wine experience, please contact Martin on 0448 928 513.
