Best Clare Valley Wineries

Less than a two-hour drive from Adelaide, the Clare Valley is home to some of the world’s best Riesling and offers fantastic food and wine experiences that are just waiting to be enjoyed.

Considered one of Australia’s oldest and most beautiful wine-growing regions, Clare Valley is blessed with a climate ideal for premium grape growing. The combination of consistently good winter rains, hot summers tempered by cool nights, and a long ripening period produces grapes of exceptional flavour and balance delivering superb regional Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and more.

With more than 30 Clare Valley wineries to choose from, visitors to the region are spoilt for choice, and with many of the wineries family-owned and operated, you’re bound to meet the people whose wines you’re tasting.

There’s so much to take in that we’ve compiled a list of highlights for you: our top picks of Clare Valley’s best wineries and cellar door experiences including where to get renowned Clare Valley Riesling, along with some recommended accommodation in Clare Valley and some tips on where to eat while you’re there. Let’s jump into it!

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Claymore Wines

Built on a combined passion for wine, music and football, Claymore Wines offers a fun, memorable and delicious tasting experience.

With all their wines named after popular song titles, a visit to their Leasingham cellar door will see you meandering your way through a mixed tape of top tunes – Joshua Tree Riesling, Purple Rain Sauvignon Blanc, We Are Family Pinot Grigio, Whole Lotta Love Rosé, Losing My Religion Montepulciano, Dark Side of the Moon Shiraz, Bittersweet Symphony Cabernet Sauvignon, and more.

Take a seat outside on the deck and enjoy a glass of wine with a grazing platter of South Australian cheeses and local produce or prop yourself up on a stool at the bar and lose yourself in the wine tasting experience. You can also treat yourself to some produce, artwork, and homewares from local artisans.  

7145 Horrocks Highway, Leasingham

Open Monday to Saturday 11am to 5pm, Sunday & Public Holidays 11am to 4pm

Visit the Claymore Wines website

 

Eldredge

Take a drive along the Spring Gully scenic drive route and you’ll discover the picturesque Eldredge Vineyards. Located directly west of Sevenhill, Eldredge is on the boundary of the Clare Valley and overlooks the Blyth Plains.

Their wines including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot, Malbec and Riesling are all produced using 100% Clare Valley fruit with the focus on creating premium quality, yet affordable wines that reflect the region’s unique character.

A century-old stone cottage houses their cellar door, which was opened in 1994 after many months spent carefully renovating the lovely old building. Settle in for a relaxed tasting and enjoy a glass of wine taking full advantage of the serenity of the outdoors deck and lawn settings. A small Providore store at the cellar door features DIY picnics and platters.

Spring Gully Rd, Spring Gully

Open daily 11am to 5pm

Visit Eldredge Vineyards

 

JEANNERET WINES

Less than 10 minutes from the town centre of Clare in the picturesque Skilly Valley, Jeanneret Wines is a warm and welcoming environment for a memorable wine tasting experience. The cellar door, which is part of the original Jeanneret family home, is the perfect place to relax and unwind while tasting this lovely Clare Valley winery’s range that includes Sparkling, Riesling, Rosé, Shiraz, Malbec, and Grenache.

Jeanneret also shares their location with Clare Valley Brewing Co., ensuring there’s a wide variety of beverages for visitors to sample. Wines are available for purchase by the glass or bottle and fresh CVBC beer is on tap, with beer tasting paddles available. All of these, along with delicious platters and local snacks, can be enjoyed on the deck which offers beautiful views and an outdoor fireplace for year-round relaxation. 

22 Jeanneret Rd, Sevenhill

Open Monday – Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sundays 12pm to 5pm

Visit Jeanneret Wines website

 

JIM BARRY WINES

Established in 1959 and awarded 2020’s James Halliday Winery of the Year, Jim Barry Wines is a name synonymous with the Clare Valley wine region, with deep ties to the local community that go back many decades. 

Their cellar door offers a curated Immersion Tasting, a deep dive into their vast selection of wines including Rosé, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Shiraz, along with Australia’s only Assyrtiko, a Greek variety that is native to the island of Santorini.

 For a more indulgent experience that will delight wine connoisseurs, visitors can enjoy the Collector Tasting – in addition to a range of their wines, this special tasting showcases three vintages of the renowned ‘The Armagh’ Shiraz in the private tasting room of Jim Barry Wines, including back vintages no longer available to the public. This two-hour tasting is available by appointment and must be booked 48 hours in advance.

33 Craig Hill Road, Clare

Open Monday – Saturday, 10am to 4pm

Visit Jim Barry Wines website

 

KILIKANOON

Nestled in the picturesque Skilly Valley, Kilikanoon offers a serene and idyllic setting for wine lovers. Surrounded by charming cottage gardens, a fruit orchard, vineyards and majestic tall gums, the winery provides the perfect backdrop to savour their range of award-winning wines.

Kilikanoon's commitment to quality and excellence has garnered them prestigious international accolades, exemplified by their 2022 recognition as the Best Australian Producer at the Mundus Vini Grand International Wine Awards, a remarkable eighth time they have won this esteemed award. Kilikanoon welcomes visitors with a variety of tasting options, ensuring that everyone can experience the excellence that has earned them global acclaim.

30 Penna Lane, Penwortham, via Clare Valley

Open daily, 11am to 5pm

Visit Kilikanoon website

 

KIRRIHILL WINES

Kirrihill specialises in estate-grown wines including aromatic Clare Valley Riesling, soft and velvety Shiraz, powerful yet elegant Cabernet, and small parcels of Malbec and Mataro. They also have a small batch range utilising fruit from McLaren Vale and the Mount Lofty Ranges, including new Australian styles like Nero d’Avola and Montepulciano. 

While there’s currently no cellar door, Kirrihill Wines offers an exclusive winery experience tailored for wine enthusiasts. By appointment only, guests can indulge in award-winning wines through a vertical Riesling tasting and a selection of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon offerings. The vertical Riesling tasting provides valuable insights into the evolution of Kirrihill's Riesling, showcasing its development and maturity over time. Additionally, their Shiraz and Cabernet selections highlight the unique terroir of Clare Valley and its influence on the red wines they craft. 

948 Farrell Flat Road, Clare

Visit Kirrihill Wines website

 

KNAPPSTEIN ENTERPRISE WINERY

Knappstein is proud to be part of the winemaking history in the Clare Valley, having some of the premier vineyards in the area and established by Tim Knappstein in 1976. A must-visit in the region, their historic cellar door and winery operates from the heritage-listed Enterprise Brewery building, built in 1878 and a major landmark of the Clare township. 

Producing world-class wines, a visit to Knappstein’s cellar door offers wine lovers tastings of their range of wines including limited releases, museum back vintages, and cellar door exclusives. 

2 Pioneer Ave, Clare

Open daily, 10am to 4pm

Visit Knappstein Wines website

 

KOONOWLA 

Located just east of Auburn, Koonowla is one of the district’s most iconic properties with its historic stone buildings and rolling broad acre hills. The property was first planted in the 1890s by John Tothill, who also built a winery to produce wine for the thriving export trade to England. 

The lovingly restored property lives and breathes the region’s winemaking traditions, embracing a new generation of custodianship. Varieties produced include Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Shiraz, Mataro and Malbec, and are wines that express youthful, bright and distinctive characteristics, showcasing the expected vibrancy of new world fruit, impeccably balanced with old world finesse. 

The picturesque cellar door welcomes visitors for tailored wine tastings, and the beautiful, expansive lawns are perfect for picnics and enjoying the outdoors. Accommodation is also available in the Koonowla Homestead, a perfect countryside retreat.

19 Koonowla Road, Auburn

Open weekends 11am to 4pm and seasonally

Visit Koonowla Wines webasite

 

Mitchell Wines

Growing up on the family farm and continuing his father’s legacy, Andrew Mitchell established Mitchell Wines in 1975 along with his wife Jane. They have created a fantastic tasting experience, showcasing a true Australian family-owned and run winery. “There is always something special about wines where the same family develops and cares for the vines, makes and bottles the wine and then sells that wine,” says Andrew. “An old fashioned ideal perhaps, but our reputation is at stake with each bottle of wine we sell.”

The award-winning Cellar Door offers guided tastings of their three collections of wines, Mitchell, Kinsfolk and McNicol, featuring stunning single vineyard Rieslings, as well as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Pinot Gris, Grüner Veltliner and Semillon. Enjoy your tasting in the tranquil cellar door garden, or inside by the fire with a cheese board.

246 Hughes Park Rd, Sevenhill

Open daily 11am to 5pm

Visit Mitchell Wines website

 

PAULETTE WINES

Located in the Polish Hill sub-region of the Clare Valley, Paulette Wines was founded by winemaker Neil Paulett and his wife Alison, and is now helmed by son Matt and his wife Ali. The couple established the cellar door 35 years ago and with fantastic wines and absolutely stunning views, it’s a ‘must visit’. "Thirty years ago, visiting a cellar door was not that common, so we felt we had to offer that extra inducement to bring people to the Valley,” says Neil. “Our cellar door, our premium wines and the spectacular views all enhance the sense of well-being that wine lovers have come to expect from Paulett's Winery."

In addition to the staples of Shiraz and Riesling, you can expect to taste a Late Harvest Riesling, Sparkling Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Cabernet and Malbec blend and Cabernet Merlot.

To top off a fabulous experience you can dine at the winery’s Bush Devine Café which is
inspired and partly sourced from the adjacent Bush Food Garden that boasts over 80 different species and 1000 plants.

752 Jolly Way (Sevenhill-Mintaro Rd), Polish Hill River

Open daily 10am to 5pm – cellar door

Open daily for lunch 11am to 4pm – Bush DeVine Winery Restaurant, bookings essential.

Visit Paulette Wines website

 

PIKES

Family-owned and operated, Pikes have been making wines with character and personality since 1984. 45-minute seated tastings in the stylish Tasting Room begin with their famous ‘Traditionale’ Riesling, followed by wines of your choice.

The cellar door features Pikes Wines Art Space, displaying an exclusive and continuous display of new work by acclaimed South Australian artist, Jen McDonald. The site also includes Slate Restaurant, a multiple Chef Hat winner and an ideal spot to dine during your visit, as well as Pikes Beer Company. The Beer Garden lunch menu is available daily from 12pm to 3pm.

233 Polish Hill Road, Sevenhill

Open daily, 10am to 4pm, bookings are essential

Slate Restaurant open for lunch Thursdays to Sundays, and dinner Saturday nights

Visit Pikes website

 

SEVENHILL

A site of historical significance, Sevenhill is the first winery ever built in the Clare Valley, and one of the oldest in all of Australia. The historic and award-winning Cellar Door is well worth a visit when in the region, offering tastings of a diverse range of estate-grown and handcrafted wines including Riesling, Pinot Gris, Shiraz, Grenache, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

In addition to wine tasting, visitors can relax, picnic or play on the shaded lawns of the picturesque property, or indulge their inner history-buff and take a self-guided walking tour of significant sites and retrace steps of past visitors to the historic site including Australia’s only Saint, Mary MacKillop.

Grazing plates, available daily, showcase locally grown and made produce, and can be purchased to enjoy on your visit.

111 College Rd, Sevenhill

Open daily, 10am to 5pm

Visit Sevenhill website

 

STONE BRIDGE WINES

Family-owned and operated, Stone Bridge Wines started out as a hobby but has turned into a successful business for Craig and Lisa Thomson, and their daughters Lauren and Sarah.

Their boutique winery produces wines including Riesling, Pinot G, Sparkling, Moscato, Rosé, Cabernet Malbec, Shiraz, and Sangiovese using fruit from their own vineyard and select parcels from local growers in the Sevenhill, Watervale and Armagh areas.

Drop into their earth-rammed cellar door to taste their award-winning wines, stroll around the picturesque grounds, and if you’re visiting on a long weekend or for a special event, you can also enjoy a gourmet pizza cooked in their wood-fired oven.

20 Gillentown Rd, Gillentown

Open Thursday – Monday, 10am to 4pm

Visit Stone Bridge Wines website

 

BEST THINGS TO DO IN THE CLARE VALLEY

With so many great Clare Valley wineries to visit, plus a wealth of other activities including bike hire, breweries and art galleries, you won’t be lost for things to do in this beautiful wine region. Here are some of our favourites.

• Cycle the Clare Valley Riesling Trail – soak in the picturesque Clare Valley on two legs or two wheels on the Riesling Trail, a 35-kilometre cycling and walking track from Auburn to Clare and onto Barinia, following the path of an old rail line. Suitable for walkers, mountain and touring bikes, as well as wheelchairs and pushers, it travels past many cellar doors and local attractions. 
• Clare Valley Brewing Co. – CVBC is a great place to add to any Clare Valley itinerary. They share a location with Jeanneret Wines, and with beers like their people: fun, approachable and easy going, you’re bound for a good time.
• Lake Bumbunga – Located in Lochiel, just a 30-minute drive from Clare, or one hour and 40 minutes from Adelaide, Lake Bumbunga is an Instagram-worthy stop on your Clare Valley experience. This enchanting lake beckons with its whimsical bubblegum-hued shores that transition from gorgeous shades of pink to pristine white and even tranquil blue, depending on the salinity levels in the water.
• Burra Heritage Passport – available for purchase, this visitor passport gives access to 11 locked sites in the historic town of Burra, including the Monster Mine Site, Redruth Gaol, Unicorn Brewery Cellars, Hampton Village, and more. The experience is free for children and includes a history hunt sheet to keep them on the lookout for answers.
• Mintaro Maze – South Australia’s living hedge maze, Mintaro Maze, was planted by the Morris family in 1995 and opened to the public in October 2000. It has survived two droughts and vandalism. The maze is open to the public on weekends, public holidays, and school holidays, from 10am to 4pm.

 

BEST PLACES TO EAT IN CLARE VALLEY

This picturesque region includes a number of Clare Valley restaurants offering up delicious meals for when hunger strikes, including Clare Valley winery lunches. Here are some of the best places to eat when visiting.

• Ragu and Co – this authentic Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria is located in the heart of the region in a rustic and romantic venue, offering diners uncomplicated and contemporary Italian dining using fresh South Australian ingredients, paired with Clare Valley and Italian wines.
• Terroir Auburn – a modern Australian restaurant located in the beautiful township of Auburn, offering a daily changing, seasonal 4-course menu. With a strong focus on representing local, the restaurant uses locally grown produce, including their own kitchen garden, and ingredients are sourced from sustainable and humanely treated stocks. 
• Watervale Hotel – located in the heart of Watervale in the Clare Valley region, the hotel is opened 7 days offering all-day dining from 11am. With a number of different menu styles to choose from including A La Carte, Degustation, and Group Feasts, there’s something to suit every visitor. 
• Slate Restaurant – located at Pikes winery, this multiple award-winning restaurant (AGFG Chef Hat Winner 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023) delivers a Modern Australian menu featuring simple yet delicious dishes in stunning surrounds. The philosophy at Slate Restaurant is to showcase estate grown wines and handcrafted beers alongside incredible local produce. 
• Café 1871 – if you’re looking for something casual and delicious in a cosy and intimate atmosphere, Café 1871 in the heart of Clare might be just what you’re after. Offering an ever-changing variety of gourmet toasted sandwiches, croissants, fresh bread and baked treats, it’s the perfect place to grab a quick bite when you’re exploring the region. 

 

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CLARE VALLEY

With so many great wineries to visit, you’ll need some Clare Valley accommodation so you can stay a little longer and really make the most of this picturesque region. From local pubs, bed and breakfasts, country cottages and cabins to tiny houses, fancy pants tents and luxury Clare Valley accommodation, you’ve got plenty of choice. Here are some of our picks for the best places to stay in Clare Valley.

• Bukirk Glamping – this award-winning accommodation site, just a short 5-minute drive to Clare wineries, shops and cafes, provides bespoke luxury accommodation in the form of five Belle Tents, each with their own private ensuite, deck, and unique styling, and three Fancy Coops (cabins), showcasing the beauty of natural and raw materials. Nestled in the hills of the Clare Valley, it’s the perfect location for a romantic or group getaway for adults. 
• The Magpie & Stump Hotel – filled with country charm, this pub stay is located in the heritage-listed village of Mintaro, and dates back to 1851. Their boutique accommodation, called ‘The Nest’, is a lovely place to rest and relax.
• Clare Valley Country Club – situated amongst the beautiful rolling hills of the Clare Valley, and in close proximity to town and the regions wineries, this spacious accommodation offering includes a pool, spa, renowned dining, and a top golf course. A number of different room styles are available for guests, including pet-friendly accommodation.
• Bed in a Shed – this unique vineyard accommodation in Clare Valley is country charm with a modern twist, allowing you to enjoy a memorable and luxurious getaway. Boasting gorgeous views, these private B&B’s are situated on an acreage vineyard property, with three different retreats to choose from.
• Bungaree Station – established in 1841, this heritage-listed accommodation is both picturesque and historic. Celebrate special occasions or simply enjoy a relaxed yet luxurious getaway. The bed and breakfast accommodation includes a number of historic cottages with modern comforts to choose from, all of which are located on this stunning property just 12 kilometres north of Clare township.

 

THE BEST THAT AUSTRALIA’S WINE REGIONS HAVE TO OFFER

Want to see more of what our great wine regions have to offer? Then don’t miss our comprehensive guide to Australia’s Best Wineries and Cellar Doors – from Hunter Valley in the east to Great Southern in the west, it’s the ultimate go-to guide for planning your next wine adventure.

For Wine Selectors Members, make sure to check out our Members Extras offers before planning your next trip, and discover what fantastic offers are available for your wine region destination!

Want to see what all the fuss is about Clare Valley wines? Order some for yourself, experience some of the finest examples of premium winemaking this country has to offer and save with Wine Selectors.