The wine regions of South Australia are internationally recognised for the quality of their wine. This state is known as the wine capital of Australia, producing around 50% of the country’s wine. This of course means that there are many amazing wine tours from Adelaide.
The divine taste of the wines produced here are perfectly complemented by the stunning natural beauty of the regions. Picture rolling hills covered in a stunning symmetry of lush vines interspersed with quaint historical towns. The cellar doors and restaurants are also among the most beautiful in Australia.
Get ready to have your wits beguiled on the tours below!
The best part about all of this is that the most storied and beautiful regions are only a short trip from the capital. Wine tours from Adelaide are a must do activity for any wine lover but it is also the perfect place for anyone to dive deeper into the world of wine.
Below you will find the most popular regions for wine tours from Adelaide as well as the most highly rated and best value tours. Whether you are a wine lover or have just a passing interest, you will be able to find the perfect region and tour for your preferences.
Table of Contents
The Best Wine Tours From Adelaide – By Region
Barossa Valley Wine Tours
The Barossa Valley is the most storied and internationally recognised of all Australia’s wine regions. They have some of the oldest vines in the world and the Shiraz produced here is considered the best in the world.
If you are a wine connoisseur then this is likely going the be the best region to visit. There’s something for everyone however, with beautiful scenery, 19th century Lutheran architecture and some fantastic breweries.
The beautiful Yalumba cellar door in the Barossa
Barossa Valley Cellar Doors Luxury Wine Tour
Stops: Grant Burge, Lunch Option, Seppeltsfield, Rockford Winery, Langmeil Winery, Chateau Dorrien, Charles Melton Wines, 1847 Wines Chateau Yaldara, Yalumba, Dell’uva Wines, Pindarie Winery and Gibson Wines.
Duration: 8 Hours
Includes: Lunch, standard tasting fees, hotel pick-up/drop off, maximum of 6 guests
Best For: This tour is all about the wine and visits the most cellar doors. It is best for those who want to maximise their exposure to different producers and taste as much as possible. This tour is amazing value for everything it offers.
This tour will collect you directly from your accommodation in Adelaide before heading to the first winery of the day. You will travel in a luxury vehicle with a maximum of 6 guests. This mean less time driving around picking people up before you get to dive in to the tastings.
The first stop is Grant Burge Wines where you can wet your palate with the first tasting of the day. After this will be a stop for lunch, there are several choices for this depending on the preferences of the group.
Following lunch you will visit 10 more wineries, each selected to highlight aspects of the Barossa’s history and essence. The knowledgeable guide will provide history and commentary along the way.
Some of the highlights of this Barossa Valley wine tour include: the world’s oldest Shiraz vineyard at Langmeil, the stunning grounds and rich heritage of Seppeltsfield and the picturesque cellar doors of Yalumba and Pindarie Winery.
➤Find more information about tour prices and availability here
Endless vineyards and rolling hills of the Barossa Valley
Barossa Valley Voyager Tour from Adelaide or Glenelg
Stops: Chateau Tanunda, Langmeil Winery, Mengler’s Hill Lookout Sculpture Park, Wanera Wine Bar (Lunch), Elderton Wines, Chateau Dorrien.
Duration: 8 Hours
Includes: Lunch, standard tasting fees, hotel pick-up/drop off, maximum of 10 guests
Best For: The stops listed are some of the most attractive cellar doors and there is also a stop for admiring the Barossa scenery. It is best for those who appreciate beautiful cellar doors and a more premium experience.
This tour will collect you from your hotel in either Adelaide city or Glenelg, with a maximum of 10 guests onboard. The first stop of the day is the majestic Chateau Tanunda. This passionately restored building dates from 1890 and is worth visiting for the architecture and history alone.
The next stop is a must see while in the Barossa valley. Langmeil Winery is where the Freedom Shiraz Vine is found; planted in 1843 and the oldest still producing wine today. You can also visit the restored 1842 trading village.
A two course lunch is included in the tour and taken at Wanera Wine Bar. You can choose from a selection of main courses, with dessert and a glass of wine.
Following lunch you will visit another two amazing cellar doors that both produce fantastic wine. Your friendly guide will then drop you back off to the door of your accommodation so you don’t have to drag all those bags of wine too far!
➤Find more information about tour prices and availability here
The Wolf Blass visitor centre is very impressive
The Barossa Valley: Small-Group Premium Wine Tour with Lunch
Stops: Whispering Wall, Château Yaldara, Peter Lehmann Winery (Lunch), Lambert Estate, Wolf Blass, Seppeltsfield region (photo op)
Duration: 8 Hours
Includes: Lunch, standard tasting fees, hotel pick-up/drop off, maximum of 20 guests
Best For: This is the top rated and most popular of the Barossa Valley wine tours. It is a larger group than above and best for those who want a fun, relaxed day with stops for scenery and other attractions.
Following pick up from the door of your accommodation in Adelaide, you will first travel to the Whispering Wall. This is actually the dam wall of the Barossa reservoir but it has the amazing quality of being able to transmit sound for over 100 metres.
The first winery of the day is Château Yaldara. The beautiful building is a highlight in itself but they also produce some amazing wine that sets a standard for the rest of the tastings.
Leaving this winery you will spend a short time exploring the pretty town of Tanunda with it’s many examples of German architecture. This is a good time to refresh your palate and build up a solid appetite for lunch.
Said lunch consists of a sumptuous platter served at the Peter Lehmann winery. This beautiful cellar door sits on a riverbank and was built in the 1880s. The lawns and gardens of this estate are picturesque and the perfect place to enjoy a glass.
Following lunch you will hopefully be ready for another two wineries. Enjoy guided tastings at Lambert Estate and Wolf Blass, where you can also explore their impressive visitor centre.
On the way back to your accommodation you will pass through the extremely scenic Seppeltsfield region. There will be a stop at a location known to the guide where you can get some great photos.
➤Find more information about tour prices and availability here
Chateau Tanunda was a highlight for us
Hop-On Hop-Off Barossa Valley Wine Region Tour from Adelaide
Stops: Hop on and off the bus at your choice of 10-12 different wineries and various other stops.
Duration: 7 Hours
Includes: Air-conditioned coach on recurring 50 to 60 minute loop.
Best For: This is a great option for those who wish to customise their itinerary but avoid the hassle of driving.
If you love your wine and are familiar with Barossa wineries then you may have specific cellar doors in mind. Wine tours from Adelaide usually have fairly rigid schedules so this is a great alternative for those who want to go at their own pace.
You will have to make your way to Stamford Plaza in Adelaide where the bus departs. It then follows a loop through various stops in the Barossa Valley, taking in between 10 and 12 wineries as well as some gourmet food producers.
The cost of the tour is similar to the price of hiring a car for the day but without the hassle of driving and counting drinks. The loop takes around 50 to 60 minutes so you can jump between as many wineries as possible or spend more time at your favourites.
The tour ends around 5pm and you will be returned to where it started. Stamford Plaza is actually a hotel which is in a great area of Adelaide. If you want to be able to stumble straight off the bus and into your room then click the link to browse prices and other nearby accommodation options.
➤Find more information about tour prices and availability here
Exploring the cellar
McLaren Vale Wine Tours
McLaren Vale is a wine region sitting on the border between Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula. The scenery here is absolutely stunning and in my opinion the best of all the South Australian wine regions.
This region is also known for it’s Shiraz but produces a softer and more approachable wine. This is due to the coastal climate, causing fewer extremes of temperature compared to the Barossa.
The D’Arenburg Cube is a must-see in McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale Winery Small Group Tour with Wine Tasting and Lunch
Stops: Glenelg Beach, Shingleback Wine, Hugh Hamilton Wines, Leconfield & Richard Hamilton Wines, d’Arenberg (pass-by), Dog Ridge Winery
Duration: 8 Hours
Includes: Lunch with a drink, standard tasting fees, hotel pick-up/drop off, maximum of 10 guests
Best For: This is the second highest rated of all the wine tours from Adelaide. It is best for those who want the traditional guided wine tour experience.
The large amount of 5 star reviews on this tour are a testament to the quality of the guides and wineries on this tour. Sadly many traditional wine tours from Adelaide to McLaren Vale do not include tasting fees or lunch so be careful if considering another tour!
Your guide will collect you from hotel around Adelaide or Glenelg in the morning. You’ll get a chance to see the beautiful Glenelg beachfront area before driving along the coastline to McLaren Vale.
You will stop at two wineries in the morning; this tour focusses on smaller boutique wineries and these two have a lot to offer. The cellar door at Hugh Hamilton has some of the best views in the region.
The next stop is a delicious lunch platter of local produce at Richard Hamilton wines. You will get to taste a large selection of wines and a glass is included with lunch.
After lunch you can take a short intermission from the wine with a pass-by of the famous D’Arenburg cube. After this is one last winery before heading home. Dog Ridge is a small family owned winery that produces some great wine and has a comprehensive tasting experience.
➤Find more information about tour prices and availability here
The views in McLaren Vale were our favourite in S.A.
McLaren Vale Wine Tour by Bike
Stops: Kuitpo Forest, 2 selected wineries, lunch, 1 additional winery or brewery selected by group
Duration: 8 Hours
Includes: Bicycle and helmet, tasting fees at two wineries, lunch, local guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, maximum of 9 guests, transport in vehicle if you get tired
Best For: This is the tour for those who love to mix fitness and wine. Cycling is always amazing for connecting you to the landscape and revealing the best scenery.
This Adelaide wine tour can collect you from selected hotels in the CBD or you can meet at the start point. You’ll be transported to McLaren Vale and dropped off at one of the highest points in the region.
Ride through the pleasant Kuitpo Forest and then descend through amazing views of vineyards and lush hills. Your guide will lead you to two different wineries and any purchases can be transported in the tour vehicle. Additional wineries may be visited depending on time, so cycle hard!
Lunch is provided in a scenic location and made up of delicious local produce. Following lunch you will make one more stop, this can be chosen by the group and could be a craft brewery instead of a winery.
➤Find more information about tour prices and availability here
Cycling through McLaren Vale is a treat
McLaren Vale Hop-On Hop-Off Winery Tour from Adelaide
Stops: Hop on and off the bus at your choice of between 10 and 15 different wineries.
Duration: 7 Hours
Includes: Air-conditioned coach on recurring 60 minute loop.
Best For: This is a great option for those who wish to customise their itinerary but avoid the hassle of driving.
This Adelaide wine tour is a great budget option if you want to visit specific wineries and choose your own pace. Keep in mind however that tasting fees and lunch are not included. If you want to visit more than 3 wineries then a traditional tour can actually work out cheaper.
The start point is at the Stamford Plaza Hotel in Adelaide, you will have to make your way here in the morning. The bus takes you to McLaren Vale and follows a recurring loop, stopping at up to 15 different locations around the region.
There are two ways to approach this tour. The first is to research the cellar doors to find the ones that excite you the most. Alternatively, let the guide know that you are not familiar and they will recommend a great itinerary for you.
The bus will return you to the start point in Adelaide around 5pm. Just check out some of the many 5 star review on TripAdvisor to see how much fun this day out can be!
➤Find more information about tour prices and availability here
Chapel Hill has a lovely cellar door
Micro-Group McLaren Vale Wine Tour from Adelaide
Stops: Two boutique wineries, The Salopian Inn (Lunch), two more boutique wineries
Duration: 8 Hours
Includes: Multi course lunch with a drink, tasting fees, hotel pick-up/drop off, maximum of 6 guests
Best For: This tour is a premium experience with a very knowledgeable guide. This is best for those know their wine and want the most in-depth tasting experience.
This tour may be a little more expensive than others however it is well worth it if you are passionate about wine. You will be collected in a luxury vehicle from your hotel in Adelaide or Glenelg and transported to McLaren Vale.
The wineries on this tour are not set in stone as the guide will tailor the day to the group. Using expert local knowledge and getting to know everyone during the drive, the guide is able to choose the best wineries and experiences in the region.
The outstanding lunch is taken at The Salopian Inn, one of the best restaurants in South Australia. Despite how delicious they are, this is a better lunch than the standard platters provided on most tours and will keep you going.
After lunch are two more wineries. You can have some input into the selection or let your guide show you some of the best of the region. The many 5 star reviews always applaud the selections made by the guide and the personal touches during the tour.
➤Find more information about tour prices and availability here
McLaren Vale is so pretty
Adelaide Hills Winery Tours
Forming a natural boundary on the eastern side of city are the wonderful Adelaide Hills. The impressive initial elevations, including Mount Lofty at 727m, give way to more gentle rolling hills.
This dramatic landscape makes for some incredible vineyard scenery and provides a cool climate for the grapes. The wine region encompasses only areas of the hills that are over 300m elevation, ensuring consistency in climate.
This region is the closest to Adelaide and filled with so many highlights and beautiful vistas. It would be unthinkable not to include it on your Adelaide itinerary. See below for the best wine tours from Adelaide to this amazing region.