Australia | Adelaide Hills

The picturesque Adelaide Hills wine region in South Australia was first planted to vine as early as the 1870s; however, the challenge of cool-climate viticulture in those early days led to the removal of most vines by the mid 1930s. The rebirth of Adelaide Hills as a wine region began with the iconic winemaker Brian Croser and his family planting Chardonnay vines in the region in 1979. Brian had identified the potential of the region as one of the best places in Australia to plant cool climate loving varieties. He was soon joined by other Australian wine pioneers including, Geoff Weaver in Lenswood and Michael Hill Smith and Martin Shaw at Shaw and Smith. Today there are around 100 producers in the Adelaide Hills who make wines from a variety of grapes including Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir. The region produces excellent sparkling wines and Australia's most highly regarded Sauvignon Blancs.