Clare Valley
BEAUTY AND INNOVATION
In the Clare Valley wine region, old stone buildings and majestic gum trees dot the landscape of rolling green hills and vineyards against a deep blue sky. A growing food scene and world-class wines make it a popular tourist spot.
A hidden gem, Clare Valley is tucked away in South Australia’s Mount Lofty Ranges. It’s a two-hour drive from Adelaide but offers a retreat from the world – with plenty to entertain including stone-cottage cellar doors, hiking tracks and local produce.
In some ways it’s a place of contrasts: a small wine region with a global reputation. A long history in Australia but a readiness to make wine differently and embrace the new. One thing is sure: Clare Valley wines are up there with the best – its Riesling sets the benchmark in Australia.
Read on for more about the Clare Valley.
33° 89'S
latitude
138° 36’E
longitude
5093HA
total vineyard area
Climate and Altitude
Clare Valley has a warm climate but plummeting night time temperatures keep things cool for the grapes, which is important for varieties like Riesling. Some vineyards sit as high as 500 metres and have cooler temperatures than those lower down.
232MM
growing season rainfall
22.3C
mean temperature
190-609M
altitude
The Environment
The Clare Valley is a hilly wine region, home to five districts – Auburn, Watervale, Sevenhill, Polish Hill River and Clare – that each produce distinct wine styles, from the light and elegant to the rich and robust.
Climate
The summers are warm to hot and the winters are cool, which is also when most rain falls. Cold nights and afternoon breezes mean that even though it’s a warm-climate region it doesn’t always feel that way.
Soil
There are 11 recognised soil types, ranging from red topsoil over limestone in the Watervale district to the broken slate of Polish Hill River. This diversity results in a variety of wine styles.
The Makers
Top Varieties Grown
RIESLING
This is Clare Valley’s signature wine. Famed around the world, it’s light, fresh and citrusy with flavours of lime. The best wines can be aged for years and even decades.
SHIRAZ
Generally full-flavoured with notes of blackberry, spice and mint. It’s a more savoury Shiraz than what you might expect from Australia.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
These are dark, rich wines with black cherry flavours. They’re often blended with Shiraz for the bold and uniquely Australian Shiraz Cabernet blend.
WINE VARIETIES IN CLARE VALLEY
The ultimate guide to Clare Valley wine
Discover why this small wine region has a big reputation for its world-class wines.
