If your heart skips a beat at the mention of swirling, sipping, and savoring exquisite wines amid stunning landscapes, then buckle up for a journey like no other. Details of our upcoming December 2024 trip are still in the planning stage, but we want to give you a preview of what’s in store.
We’ll be raising our glasses and saying “G’day Mate” in Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley in South Australia, as well as Victoria’s gorgeous wine regions of Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley. And since a visit to Australia wouldn’t be complete without wildlife, we’ll also be sure to include some adventures with charismatic kangaroos and cuddly koalas.
Adelaide Hills: Sip and Soak in Nature’s Symphony
Imagine stepping into a picture-perfect landscape where vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, and every wine tasting feels like a harmony of flavors. That’s Adelaide Hills for you, a wine lover’s utopia that seamlessly blends nature’s beauty with the art of winemaking. Perhaps we’ll visit the cellar door (Australian for winery/tasting room!) of Deviation Road, a hidden gem which prides itself on unconventional blends and unexpected flavors that deviate from the norm.
McLaren Vale: Where Waves of Flavor Meet the Sea Breeze
Hoist your glasses as we venture to McLaren Vale, a coastal paradise where wines and ocean breezes intertwine in a delightful dance. Here, you’ll find Grenache and Shiraz bursting with character, mirroring the lively atmosphere of the region. We’re looking to visit the iconic d’Arenberg Cube, a Rubic’s cube of a structure known as much for its architecture and artwork as its wine. Delightful Mollydooker is also on the agenda. Plus, we might just include an outing to swim with the sea lions near Port Lincoln.
Barossa Valley: Unveiling the Tapestry of Tradition
Perhaps the most well-known wine region in South Australia is Barossa Valley, a living canvas that weaves together the threads of tradition, history, and exceptional wine. Your taste buds will be treated to a tapestry of flavors as you navigate through renowned wineries like Penfolds and Seppeltsfield. Even if you don’t want to spend upwards of $1,000 for Penfolds famous Grange, their other more affordable wines exemplify the best of the Barossa. For sure we’ll visit Seppeltsfield, where you’ll be able to sample their 100-year-old Para Tawny Port as well as a port from the year you were born!
Mornington Peninsula: Where Coastal Beauty Meets Wine Delights
South Australia is the largest wine producing state in Australia, capturing over 70% of the market, but if you also like cooler climate wines, then you’ll have to visit Victoria. We’ll have time in its major city of Melbourne and will also include one or both of its wine regions.
Picture this: a glass of fine Pinot Noir in hand, stunning coastal vistas stretching before you, and the chance to spot kangaroos hopping through the vineyards or koalas enjoying a lazy afternoon. Welcome to Mornington Peninsula, a region that’s all about indulging in sensory pleasures. Boutique wineries like Montalto and Ten Minutes by Tractor beckon with their Pinots and Chardonnays, and a cellar door like Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove combines wine with farm-to-table cuisine.
Yarra Valley: Elegance in Every Sip
Yarra Valley is Victoria’s other major wine region, where elegance reigns supreme and wines are crafted with meticulous care. Whether you’re sipping on a velvety Pinot Noir or indulging in a sparkling Chardonnay, the experience is nothing short of enchanting. We’re looking at taking you to such notable wineries as Levantine Hill and Oakridge Wines, both producing the finest of Yarra Valley’s cool climate wines.
Embrace the Adventure with Wine Lovers Travel
We’ll be announcing our exact itinerary and wine host soon, so for now, start clearing your calendar for December of 2024. As with all of our trips, this will be a small group of like-minded wine lovers who want to be immersed in the wine, food and culture of our destinations.
Let’s raise our glasses to new friendships, unforgettable encounters, and the intoxicating allure of Australia’s wine regions. With Wine Lovers Travel, every sip becomes an exploration, every glass a chapter in your personal tale of taste and travel.