South Australia -
​Hugh Hamilton Wines, McLaren Vale

There always has to be one, your absolute favourite, the best all-rounder, even if you can’t quite say why. For at least the last ten years my favourite cellar door in South Australia has been Hugh Hamilton Wines at McMurtrie Road in McLaren Vale. 

Probably the best cellar door South Australia

If you can only visit one winery cellar door in South Australia, visit this one.  It’s not just the huge array of stylish and beautifully made wines on offer (although that does help). Nor is it just the breathtaking cellar door with its panoramic views and its welcoming tasting area. The distinctive and mature branding developed over many years helps. And the thoughtfully structured Black Sheep Club, which delivers two discounted cases every year sampling the whole range, is a definite plus. Hugh and his daughter Mary make wine fun, and their cellar door embodies that.

It turns out that, for once, my views are not out of step with everybody else. In recent years this cellar door has risen to the number one spot on TripAdvisor’s “Things to do in McLaren Vale” list, and if there is any justice in this world it will stay there for ages. 

Adelaide Hills North
(of Balhannah) -
​Pike and Joyce, Lenswood

​Pike & Joyce sits along a dirt road on a hilltop in Lenswood. It offers some of South Australia's most magnificent views to complement a range of fine wines and a large fine dining restaurant. We go for the cellar door, however, and so should you.
Note: don't let the term "dirt road" put you off if you are a city driver who prefers bitumen. This is a short, smooth, level stretch of one of the finest unsealed roads in the state. Your reward for taking on this challenge will be one of the best tasting experiences SA has to offer.

Lenswood, Adelaide Hills

​Highly recommended:
Ashton Hills Wines, Ashton
Croser at Petaluma, Woodside
Greenhill Wines, Summertown

Murdoch Hill, Oakbank
​Tilbrook Estate, Lenswood

We also enjoyed visiting:
Barrister's Block Wines, Woodside
Casa Freschi, Ashton

CRFT Wines, Carey Gully
Lobethal Road Winery, Mt Torrens ​​

Adelaide Hills South
(of Balhannah) -
​K1 Wines, Kuitpo

This is one of the most picturesque cellar doors in SA, which may explain why it is sometimes claimed by the McLaren Vale region as well! Excellent wines, so you may need to book at busy times, but well worth it.

Howards, Nairne (in mid-winter)

Highly recommended:
Deviation Road Winery, Longwood 
Howards, Nairne

​The Lane, Hahndorf
Longview, Macclesfield​

We also enjoyed visiting:
 Between the Vines, Longwood​

​Nepenthe Wines, Balhannah

BAROSSA NORTH
​(of Tanunda) - 
David Franz Wines

David Franz Wines offers one of those quirky, rustic little vine-side cellar doors just on the edge of the vineyard.
The views from the verandah are fantastic, or you can sit inside by the cosy wood burner in the winter. There is a range of interesting wines to choose from, and you can assemble your own platter from the choices in the fridge if you choose to stay for lunch (which you will probably want to do)

Atze's Corner - lunchtime views

At any given time there appear to be between 80 and 100 cellar doors operating in the Barossa Valley. Despite our best efforts, we have barely sampled a third of them yet. So whilst we've listed a dozen of so of our favourites here, there are plenty more for you to try.

Highly recommended:
Atze’s Corner Wines
Barossa Valley Estate
Kalleske Wines

​Murray Street Vineyard
Two Hands

We also enjoyed visiting:
Laughing Jacks
Kaesler Wines

​Rosenvale Wines
​Seppeltsfield

BAROSSA SOUTH
(of Tanunda) - 
Charles Melton Wines

Charles Melton Wines is a delightful family run cellar door located on one of the Barossa's most famous roads. Often overlooked in favour of its famous neighbour at Rockfords (300 yards along the road), this is a place to relax and enjoy yourself.
There is a range of magnificent reds for the winter months, or a couple of delightful rose varieties for the summer. Last time we visited we had the place to ourselves when the queues at Rockfords were out the door! (NB you do need to visit Rockfords too - just pick a quiet day to do it).

​Highly recommended:
Bethany Wines
Rockford Wines

Chilling with the wine dog on the back verandah at Charles Melton Wines

At any given time there appear to be between 80 and 100 cellar doors operating in the Barossa Valley. Despite our best efforts, we have barely sampled a third of them yet. So whilst we've listed a dozen of so of our favourites here, there are plenty more for you to try.

We also enjoyed visiting:
Burge Family Wines
Chateau Yaldara, 1847 Wines​

​Langmeil Wines

CLARE VALLEY 
Wykari of Clare

Although somewhat peripatetic, when we visited it this cellar door was operating from an actual cellar in Auburn - distinctly lacking in vineyard views and not the sort of location we'd usually recommend.
However, we spent a fascinating 45 minutes with Peter Shearer, the winemaker/proprietor and a recently retired head teacher. We learnt how he goes about making and selling his range of predominantly Riesling and Shiraz wines, and we were bowled over by just how good they were. On top of that, they are remarkably good value. Easily bypassed, but well worth seeking out.

Highly recommended:
Good Catholic Girl Wines
Matriarch and Rogue
Mitchell Winery
Mount Horrocks Wines
​Paulett Wines
​Tim McNeil Wines

Admiring the view at Jeanneret Wines

​
​The Clare Valley doesn't have as many cellar doors as it used to, or as it should. By April 2026, when we completed our final visit, the number had sadly shrunk to just 34. But, boy, are there some great ones to choose from? There would be a strong case to put any one of our highly recommended picks in the top spot.
In most of the smaller family owned wineries you are more likely than not to be greeted by one of the family, or even the winemaker himself (eg Tim McNeil Wines, Greg Cooley Wines, Mitchell Winery, Eldredge Wines, Wilson Estate, Matriarch and Rogue...) The majority of them offer better value, and often better quality as well, than more well known names.​ 

We also enjoyed visiting:
Crabtree Watervale Wines
​Greg Cooley Wines
​Reilly Wines

​
​Eldredge Wines
Jeanneret Wines
​​​Sevenhill Cellars

COONAWARRA  
Balnaves of Coonawarra

This cellar door is perfectly sized and sits in a picturesque location beside the vineyards. in addition to a range of extremely drinkable wines, they also offer excellent platter lunches.
​

Highly recommended:
DiGiorgio Family Wines
Katnook Estate
Leconfield Estate
Ottelia

Balnaves Coonawarra Cellar Door entrance

We also enjoyed visiting:
​Hollick Wines 
Patrick of Coonawarra
Raidis Estate

​Redman Wines
​Wynns of Coonawarra
Zema Estate

LANGHORNE CREEK 
Bremerton Wines

The Langhorne Creek region is possibly SA's best kept wine secret, and Bremerton embodies what it does so well. No further from Adelaide than the Barossa, yet largely ignored and unvisited. Get here quick, before word goes around.
At Bremerton you can enjoy excellent wines in a beautifully set out cellar door which also offers platters and light lunches.

​Highly recommended:
Bleasdale Winery
Lake Breeze Wines

Bremerton Wines

We also enjoyed visiting:
​Kimbolton Wines

MCLAREN VALE (NORTH)
​(of Tatachilla Road)
Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards

Oliver's Taranga is one of the oldest winemaking operations in McLaren Vale, and indeed in South Australia. Like Hugh Hamilton (see above), it can boast six generations of family winemaking. Not surprisingly, they do it extremely well, and the cellar door is a delight.
​No restaurant, but all tastings are served with warm bread, olive oil and almonds, to which you can add from a choice of three pâtés.

Oliver's Taranga Vineyards

At any given time there appear to be between 80 and 100 cellar doors operating in the Mclaren Vale. Despite our best efforts, we have barely sampled a third of them yet. So whilst we've listed a dozen of so of our favourites here, there are plenty more for you to try.

Highly recommended:
Chapel Hill Winery
Yangarra Estate

​Samuel’s Gorge
Zerella Wines

We also enjoyed visiting:
Beresford Estate
​Kay Brothers Winery

​Hugo Wines
​Shottesbrooke Vineyards

MCLAREN VALE (SOUTH)
​(of Tatachilla Road)
 Shirvington Wines

This one took us by surprise, but it shouldn't have done. Like so many small family owned and run wineries, the cellar door is friendly and fun, whilst the wines are both good and good value.
The family started winemaking in 1996 and will hopefully keep doing so for many years to come.

The tasting room at Shirvington Wines

Highly recommended:
Inkwell Wines
​Sew & Sew Wines

At any given time there appear to be between 80 and 100 cellar doors operating in the Mclaren Vale. Despite our best efforts, we have barely sampled a third of them yet. So whilst we've listed a dozen of so of our favourites here, there are plenty more for you to try.

Down the Rabbit Hole - yes, that is a double decker bus, perhaps your only chance to taste wine on the top deck of one?

​We also enjoyed visiting:
Down the Rabbit Hole
​Hastwell & Lightfoot

Inkwell Wines. The cellar door is constructed from upcycled shipping containers and also offers amazing overnight accommodation - in the middle of the vineyard!

​Samson Tall
​Wirra Wirra Wines

O T H E R  
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

Smaller Wine Regions in SA

Padthaway

Limestone Coast

Padthaway Estate - a stunning heritage property and cellar door (our pictures don't do it justice). On top of that they offer great lunch platters AND they regularly turn out Australia's best Chardonnays. Unmissable.

Cape Jaffa Wines (not the most picturesque cellar door, but well worth a visit) a range of interesting wines complemented by local beers if you prefer.

Padthaway Estate

​Cape Jaffa Winery

Highly recommended: Farmers Leap
 - the only other Padthaway cellar door we could find, and it almost pipped Padthaway Estate. Brilliant purpose built cellar ​door facility with stunning views and equally stunning wines. A little off the main road but well worth visiting.

Highly Recommended: Ralph Fowler Wines
 - a very small family winery offering a small but exquisite range of reds. Ralph has a lifetime of experience making red wine and it shows. Mrs Fowler served us at the cellar door, a charming and tiny little hut in the middle of the vineyards. Probably unique.

The Eyre Peninsula

Kangaroo Island

Spectacular views of the vineyards above Port Lincoln at the Peter Teakle Winery. Sadly this amazing venue closed permanently at the end of March 2026. We are so sorry you missed it.

The Islander - don't be deceived by this cellar door's modest appearance - the wines have generations of French winemaking heritage behind them and are second to none, while the bushland setting is charming. Blue fairy wrens abound.

RIP: Peter Teakle Wines (closed Mar 2026)

The Islander Estate

Highly Recommended:  Boston Bay Winery
 - not quite at the heights previously managed by Teakle (pun intended), but this bayside cellar door is equally special in its own way. The winery has links with Barristers Block at Woodside (Adelaide Hills) which are reflected in the great range and quality on offer.

Highly Recommended: Bay of Shoals

We also enjoyed visiting:    Gardner Estate Wines
 - quirky, small and low volume, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

We also enjoyed visiting:   Dudley Wines
​Stunning views. Clifftop golf, anyone?