The 5 Best Wine Getaways to Have in South Australia

Got an itinerary ready to investigate bold reds, celebrate crisp whites and explore South Australian attractions? Luxury accommodation is on stand-by in every region. Here, we've rounded up the best wine getaways to suit every palate.

For bold reds and destination dining

Stay at: The Louise, Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is a 50-minute drive from Adelaide Airport and a stay at The Louise (fresh from a $3m makeover) will put you in the heart of the region’s shiraz-heavy action. The property features 15 villa-style suites, the award-winning Appellation restaurant and an infinity pool overlooking the vineyards. The property’s Guest Experience Coordinator can organise a range of fun experiences during your stay such as a pasta-making cooking class at The Eatery Cooking School or hot air-ballooning across the valley.

Make a lunch reservation at nearby FINO at Seppeltsfield where kingfish, full-bodied reds and their famous Crèma catalana reign supreme and follow up with a tasting of the fabled The Laird shiraz at Torbreck. Need another meal to soak up all that goodness? The Atrium at Hentley Farm’s Discovery Menu (with wine pairing) showcases the best of local produce.

For wine bars and scenic drives

Stay at: Sequoia, Adelaide Hills

Nestled in the highlands of the Adelaide Hills, where sauvignon blanc dominates the landscape, lies Sequoia, South Australia’s newest luxury – and adults only – sanctuary. Sitting just 20 minutes from Adelaide’s CBD, you’ll call one of the 14 suites which overlook the Piccadilly Valley, home. Spend your afternoons with a crisp vino in hand or unwind in one of the property’s three spring-fed hot pools. Be sure to swing by the hatted Hardy’s Verandah where a hearty lamb shoulder (braised for 17 hours) lies in wait.

Venture further afield and jump in the car to explore the rolling hills (and wineries) across the Angas River Scenic Drive, stopping in at Biggs Flat – home to wellness brand Jurlique – and join a farm tour. Afterwards, enjoy the Museum Selection label at Adelaide Hills Wine Bar or quench your thirst at Uraidla Hotel where the wine list reads like an intriguing novella.

For urban wineries and festivals

Stay at: The Playford MGallery by Sofitel, Adelaide

South Australia’s capital is the city that has it all: world-class museums, renowned festivals and The Playford MGallery by Sofitel, a boutique 182-room property that evokes the Art Nouveau era. The hotel features a 24-hour health club with heated pool, the opulent Luma Restaurant & Bar (where handmade gnocchi with lamb shank ragu begs to be ordered) and it’s in close proximity to festivals such as Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide.

Just eight kilometres from the CBD, you’ll find Penfolds Magill Estate Cellar Door. Book the “Iconic Penfolds Experience” to sample its iconic wines, including Grange, and taste your way through a three-course lunch at Magill Estate Kitchen. Local winery Oddio can be found in a 170-year-old church in industrial Bowden and provides a welcome tasting room for the makers behind the Delinquente, Frederick Stevenson and Giovanni Armani Giorgio labels.

For coastal vineyards and beaches

Stay in: Hotel California Road at Inkwell Wines, McLaren Vale

What pairs beautifully with a 30-kilometre stretch of coastline dotted with pristine beaches and wineries specialising in big, bold reds? A stay at Hotel California Road at Inkwell Wines, the region’s newest luxury micro-hotel, is the answer. Located a 45 minute drive south from Adelaide CBD, its three suites feature bathtubs overlooking the vines, a sun-dappled deck and a minibar stocked with a selection of Inkwell wines.

Down The Rabbit Hole Wines, South Australia

The stay is a short drive away from snorkelling hotspot Port Noarlunga and a 20-minute drive to the waves of surfing haven, Sellicks Beach. A post-swim stop at the whimsical Down The Rabbit Hole Wines (where tastings are predominantly held in their onsite double-decker bus) provides the ultimate reward courtesy of a cheeky shiraz or cabernet sauvignon.

For boutique vineyards and scenic trails

Stay at: The Barn Accommodation, Mount Gambier

Mount Gambier remains the jewel in the crown of South Australia’s pinot noir scene and a stay at The Barn Accommodation provides a scenic base for exploring some of the region’s boutique wineries. The property features a wide range of generously proportioned suites and apartments, plus a separate freestanding home set among manicured English-style gardens (an additional home plus farmhouse are also available nearby).

Pop in at Herbert Vineyard, lauded in the James Halliday Australian Wine Companion, or Caroline Hills, a boutique vineyard where small-batch wines are made with a deliberately light touch. The Coonawarra wine region – known for its cabernets – is also just a 45 minute drive from Mount Gambier. Be sure to make a booking at Mayura Station, a paddock-to-plate restaurant known for its award-winning full blood Wagyu Beef.

You’re within easy reach of some of the most spectacular trails of the region including Blue Lake Circuit, which takes in the highlights of the lake (famous for its ever-changing colour) and Crater Lakes Trail, which follows the rim of the volcanic craters as you stop at a multitude of panoramic lookouts. Feel more up for a stroll? Mosey around the lush sunken gardens of the Umpherston Sinkhole.