South Australia – Eden Valley – hillier and chillier
The Barossa's neighbourly Eden Valley
Sam Russell
Peter Seppelt Wines and Grand Cru Wood Oven Restaurant, Springton, Barossa, South Australia
The cool high-country Eden Valley GI region lies between its famous Barossa Valley neighbour and the watershed hillsides that blend the Mount Lofty Ranges into the flats of the ailing River Murray.
You can enjoy it in a single day from Adelaide. Plan a leisurely circular drive travelling via the Sturt Highway to begin at the north end of the Eden Valley at Truro, then via wineries and cellar doors to the south end, returning to Adelaide via the South Eastern Freeway.
Similar in area to the Barossa but at higher altitude, the EV and its High Eden sub-region host fewer wineries than its neighbour. The wine lover is compensated at the tasting table by striking examples of superior wines with style, finesse and austerity.
The Eden Valley offers spectacular vistas and glorious drives in Australian bush scenery. Touring and tasting there is memorable. Some outlets don’t open on weekdays. Few open early. Trading days and times change often so check before you plan your tour.
Stop 1 - Cellar door
Henschke
Henschke Road
Keyneton SA 5353
Phone (08) 8564 8223
This is an Eden Valley iconic brand and a ‘must visit’ winery. Home of the famous shiraz twins Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace, its cellar door evokes a 140 year history. There is a full range of 20-odd whites and reds – including some interesting museum wines. More »
Open Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm, Saturday 9am-noon, and public holidays 10am-3pm. Closed Sundays, Christmas Day, Good Friday and New Year’s Day.
Stop 2 - Coffee
Blond Coffee
2/60 Murray Street
Angaston SA 5353
Phone (08) 8564 3444
Having driven from Adelaide for this day of wine exploration you might now need nourishment. On the bend in the main street Blond is into its sixth year of bright and busy operations. The coffee is great; the food is fresh and local; the folks are - of course - friendly. More »
Open 7.30am-4.30pm weekdays, 8.30am-4.30pm Saturdays, 9am-4.30pm Sundays and holidays. Closed for Christmas Day, Easter Friday and New Year.
Stop 3 - Group cellar door
Taste Eden Valley at the EV Regional Wine Centre
36a Murray Street
Angaston SA 5353
Phone (08) 8564 2435
Angaston marks the western border of the Eden Valley. A smart initiative for a region with few cellar doors, the enticing Taste Eden Valley main street store offers tastings of many of the regional wines. Try, discuss and buy wines from numerous EV wineries including Eden Springs, Flaxman, Poonawatta, Saviours and Radford. More »
Open 11am-5pm. Closed Tuesdays.
Stop 4 - Cellar door
Thorn-Clarke Wines
Milton Park
Gawler Park Road
Angaston SA 5353
Phone (08) 8564 3036
This family-owned Halliday five-star winery draws fruit both from the Eden and Barossa Valleys. It is an awesome achiever. Various of its labels have precipitated a cascade of trophies, medals and awards. The low key cellar door suggests modesty not opulence and invites a slow thoughtful interlude of tastings and discussions. More »
Open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, 12-4pm weekends.
Stop 5 - Cellar door
Poverty Hill Wines
14 Miller Street
Springton SA 5235
Phone (08) 8568 2220
Tucked behind Bucks restaurant in tiny Springton, this understated outfit has a range of wines as short as Henschke’s is long. Three local blokes combine a century of winemaking experience in producing fine reds and whites - and the cellar door has espresso coffee. Bravo! More »
Open 10am-5 pm daily except Tuesdays.
En route to Stop 6 there is an optional spectacular drive though the High Eden sub-region of gum-lined roads and tough stony country. From Springton, follow signs from the main Mount Pleasant-Keyneton Road to the vineyards of Mountadam (where the cellar door is only open by appointment), Leo Buring and Tollana. The long views stretch endlessly.
Stop 6 - Lunch
Peter Seppelt Wines
Dewells Road
Springton SA 5235
Phone (08) 8568 2452
Seppelt is an illustrious family name but the original wine company is just a memory. Peter is a fifth generation Seppelt and his Grand Cru winery and restaurant complex promises a bright new future for the old name. Substantial stone buildings, a picturesque wine estate, wood fired ovens, amiable dogs, hospitable people, a grand spacious tasting room … it’s a fine place to round off your EV day.
Cellar door open Wednesdays - Sundays 10am-5pm (not Good Friday or Christmas Day). Wood oven pizzas for lunch and dinner on weekends and some evenings. Platters available on other open days by arrangement.
Return to Adelaide through Mount Pleasant and Woodside, joining the South Eastern Freeway at Hahndorf.
Regions
- Eden Valley & High Eden (SA)
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Henschke - KeynetonFifth-generation Stephen Henschke and his wife Prue uphold this South Australian wine family name and reputation, as winemaker and viticulturist respectively in ... read more
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Tollana WinesTollana Wines is located in the Eden Valley of South Australia's Barossa Valley. It belongs to the Foster's Group. read more
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Flaxman WinesFlaxman wines is located at a small old vineyard overlooking Flaxman's Valley, in Angaston, in the Eden Valley of South Australia. A proven Shiraz and Riesling area ... read more
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Blond Coffee & Store (Angaston)Blond Coffee and Store is a modern fine food and produce store located in Angaston in the heart of the Barossa Valley wine region of South Australia. read more
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