Adelaide Hills

‘’‘Adelaide Hills’’’ is a cool-climate wine region located in the Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia, east of the city of Adelaide. Known for its elevated vineyards and diverse microclimates, it has become one of Australia’s most important regions for producing refined styles of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc. The region’s altitude, which ranges from 300 to over 700 metres, allows for long growing seasons and retention of natural acidity in the grapes.

Regional wine styles

Adelaide Hills is particularly noted for its elegant, cool-climate Chardonnay, often marked by citrus, stone fruit, and subtle oak influence. Its Sauvignon Blanc is among the most widely planted varieties and tends to be vibrant and herbaceous, with crisp acidity. The region has also emerged as a stronghold for Pinot Noir, especially for sparkling wine production, and is gaining attention for new plantings of Syrah and alternative varieties.

Due to its elevation and varied exposures, Adelaide Hills supports a wide range of viticultural styles, from minimal intervention to precision farming. Many producers practise sustainable viticulture, and the region has been at the forefront of modern Australian winemaking trends favouring finesse and site expression over power and extraction.

Notable examples

Well-regarded producers in the region include Shaw + Smith, Ashton Hills, and Bird in Hand. Wines from Adelaide Hills often appear as single-region bottlings, particularly for varietals like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, which express the region’s high-altitude freshness and clarity.

References

Halliday, J., Wine Atlas of Australia, 2006 Robinson, J., The Oxford Companion to Wine, 4th ed., 2015