Best Wines from the Adelaide Hills
Adelaide Hills wines are South Australia's cool-climate answer to the warm valleys below: crisp Sauvignon Blanc, tightly wound Chardonnay, and increasingly serious cool-climate Shiraz. Shaw + Smith's Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz is among the highest I've scored from the region at 4.5. Expect nervy acidity and restraint rather than the Barossa's power.
What makes the Adelaide Hills different?
Altitude keeps the Adelaide Hills cooler than the regions around it. That preserves natural acidity and gives the wines a bright, lifted character that pairs beautifully with food.
What does it taste like?
Sauvignon Blanc here is textural rather than simply tropical. Chardonnay is restrained and citrus-driven, and Pinot Noir is light to medium-bodied, fragrant, and savoury.
How do we choose these wines?
We look for bottles that taste like their place and reward the price you pay, not the ones with the loudest reputation.
Our Adelaide Hills picks
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Frequently Asked Questions
What wine is the Adelaide Hills known for?
Cool-climate whites lead the way, especially Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, alongside elegant Pinot Noir and well-regarded sparkling wine.
How is the Adelaide Hills different from the Barossa?
The Adelaide Hills is higher and cooler, so its wines are fresher and lighter. The Barossa, lower and warmer, produces richer, fuller-bodied reds.
How do I find an Adelaide Hills wine I will like?
Take the Wine Twins quiz. It matches your taste to wines we have personally tasted, including Adelaide Hills bottles suited to your palate.
More wine guides
Explore More
- About Nicolas Sénéchal — Who tastes the wine, how recommendations are chosen, and where the limits are.
- Take the quiz — Get a shortlist matched to your taste.
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