James Halliday describes the Adelaide Hills as a "truly outstanding region".
Just a 20-minute drive from the CBD, the Adelaide Hills is a cool-climate region that has sites sitting between 400 and 700 metres above the sea. The region is known for its fresh and textural wines that burst with flavour. Key varietals planted in the region include sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, and an array of sparkling wines are produced, but as you'll see below, the region is also turning its attention to other varieties including grüner veltliner and shiraz.
Here are four Adelaide Hills wines to try.
2021 Mordrelle Wines Limited Release Basket Press Pinot Noir
Is this not the benchmark for Hills pinot? A rhetorical question perhaps, but it is by far the best example that I have tasted. Carnal. Dense. Savoury. Autumnal. Meaty. Mushroom dashi, dark cherry, sous bois and a ferrous earthen marrow. Great stuff. Mid-weighted, intense of flavour and so fresh. The last of a dying breed, perhaps. Get in while the going is good! – Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion.Winemaker Dr. Martin Moran says: We love the serenity and fresh air of the Adelaide Hills – the beautiful landscapes with slopes in different directions and the vast number of trees. We very rarely experience hot days in summer, which makes the Hills a perfect place to make and cellar wines.
Best enjoyed: Pair our pinot with a duck risotto with a porcini mushroom sauce.
RRP $55 | Drink to 2033 | mordrellewines.com.au
2018 Mt Bera Boundless Horizons Grüner Veltliner
Picked later than fruit for Mt Bera's Gruvee Grüner, the Boundless Horizons' Grüner is only made in exceptional years. A finer adaptation, highlighting the inner beauty of grüner veltliner in shades of tropical white peach, green melon, citrus and apple. Not to mention fruit blossom, which casts a lovely aromatic overlay to the wine. Light on its feet but there are hidden depths here, texture, too, not to mention extended ageing ability. Elegance in a glass. – Jeni Port, Halliday Wine CompanionOwner Greg Horner says: We love the quality of grapes that can be produced each year in the Adelaide Hills – no matter what the weather provides. Our winery is set up to take our certified organic, estate-grown grapes and focus on making the most natural wine possible, which allows us to express the best of each season. Part of that process is handling the grapes in the winery extremely gently across the sorting tables, de-stemming, pressing and fermenters with temperature control powered by onsite solar installations.
Best enjoyed: From the Mt Bera cellar door menu – try the buffalo ricotta with truffle honey and pita (which picks up the honey character in the wine). Or, try the 2018 with our pistachio and mandarin cake (which picks up the mandarin blossom in the wine).
RRP $40 | Drink to 2028 | mtberavineyards.com.au
2019 Sidewood The Old China Hand Shiraz
This wine entices with vibrant and alluring berry flavours including mulberry, raspberry, and blueberry. The brightness of these fruits creates a delightful sensation on the palate, while the wine's clean finish leaves a mouthwatering impression. Crafted with meticulous care, the grapes were hand-picked and underwent partial whole bunch fermentation with extended maceration. The wine aged for twelve months in French oak barrels, of which 30 per cent were new, enhancing its complexity and adding subtle oak nuances.Owner and vigneron Owen Inglis says: Our wines are a true reflection of the Adelaide Hills region. They embody the cool climate characteristics that the Adelaide Hills is renowned for – vibrant acidity, elegance and purity of fruit. We believe in allowing the unique terroir to shine through in our wines, and showcasing the distinct flavours and aromas that are signature to the region. From crisp and refreshing whites to complex and elegant reds, our wines offer a diverse range of expressions that capture the essence of the region. We invite wine enthusiasts to explore our portfolio and discover the depth and quality that the Adelaide Hills allows our team to create.
Best enjoyed: At Sidewood Estate restaurant we pair the 2019 with our 12-hour lamb shoulder seasoned with harissa spices, alongside fire-roasted baba ganoush and freekeh tabbouleh, and a pomegranate and lamb jus.
RRP $50 | Drink to 2027 | sidewood.com.au
2022 Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay
The colour is pale lemon green. The aroma is of perfectly ripe chardonnay fruit, ripe nectarine with a hint of flint smoke, yeast cashew and oak spice. The flavour is intense and fresh with fruit sweetness and a substantial texture. The edge of acid and the slight astringency and bitterness of the grapefruit finish, perfectly offset the fruit sweetness and texture that are the hallmarks of Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay.Winemaker Brian Croser says: We have the perfect climate and geology for growing chardonnay – from rainfall, soil types, temperature and sunshine hours, through to diurnal range of very cool nights and warmer days. We also have a wonderful community in the Adelaide Hills, and benefit from being very close – only 20 minutes – from the centre of Adelaide.
Best enjoyed: Match the 2022 with a crab pasta or roast chicken with all the trimmings.
RRP $110 | Drink to 2033 | tapanappa.com.au
