The Region
The Clare Valley is a hidden gem. One of South Australia’s most renowned wine regions, it boasts a range of premium wine, food, arts, history, and natural landscapes.
It is approximately 200kms long and 100kms wide, interspersed with country roads, valleys, pristine countryside, quiet laneways and tracks that are very rarely frequented. It takes 90 minutes by car to drive to the Clare Valley from Adelaide.
From wine tasting and long lunches, to picturesque walks and heritage exploration, there’s so much to see and do in the region. Your journey starts now.
Certain names resonate strongly within the halls of Australian wine history. Jim Barry Wines is one of those names. This family-owned winery has helped shape South Australia’s Clare Valley as a benchmark in the world of Riesling and cemented its place as one of Australia’s premier wine regions.
Most recently it was awarded the honour of being James Halliday Winery of the Year in 2020.
A boutique Winery located in the corner of the famous Florita Vineyard in Watervale – run by brothers Tom & Sam Barry.
The story of clos Clare is quickly growing into what will be one of the great wine stories of the Clare Valley. It began in 1986 when the Barry family purchased the Florita vineyard from the then owners, Leo Buring. This vineyard produced, for many years, the great wines of Leonay and Richmond Grove.
Pauletts’ famed cellar door with its magnificent views, has become even better with the official opening of its ‘Bush Devine Café’. Opened by the Hon. Minister Brock and surrounded by family and friends, it was a fabulous night celebrating the realisation of a long-awaited dream for the Paulett family.
The Café is inspired and partly sourced from the adjacent Bush Food Garden which contains over 80 different species of plants. Local revered chef Thomas Erkelenz has devised a unique and mouthwatering menu to complement Pauletts’ diverse range of wines.
We’re a small wine producer that’s passionate about single site and best of region grape varieties. While we have lots of different wine batches they’re all tiny quantities and we don’t put our label on a bottle if it doesn’t make the cut.
We love classic varieties like dry Clare Rieslings, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Grenache and they make up the core of our portfolio but we do crave something a little off beat like Fiano, Sangiovese and Tempranillo.
We call the Clare Valley home and spend the majority of our life there but we also have a foot in the Snowy Mountains NSW chasing cool climate grapes as well, the best of both worlds really.
Please pop in next time you’re in either region and say hello, we’d love to see you.
Awarded Best Small Producer and the Mick Knappstein Trophy for Best Current Vintage Riesling at the 2019 Clare Valley Wine Show.
Penna Lane is a small vineyard that consistently produces high quality wine. The vines hug the hillsides of the beautiful Skilly Valley, within the world famous Clare Valley wine region of South Australia.
The Taylor family’s long-standing association with the Clare Valley begins in the late 1950’s when as Sydney wine merchants, they partner with the Clare Valley Co-operative to bottle and distribute their own wines under the Chateau Clare label.
Then, inspired by the great producers of Bordeaux, and with a vision to craft wines that rival the best in the world, the Taylor family begin an exploration to find the perfect plot of land on which to establish their family estate. On July 20, 1969, their quest brought them to a site by the Wakefield River in South Australia’s Clare Valley. So on the same day that Neil Armstrong takes man’s first steps onto the moon, Bill Taylor takes his first steps on the soil that will eventually become the family estate.
By name AND by nature, it’s not surprising that Mark Barry is known as MB.
Throughout his long involvement in the wine industry, Mark has developed a well-known reputation not only as a talented winemaker, but also for his wicked sense of humour and, some would say, his often unconventional ways of doing things.
Therefore, Mad Bastard Wines (MB) is an appropriate name for his new venture in South Australia’s Clare Valley.
After a break of a few years, the Mad Bastard label represents Mark’s return to the industry as a one-man operation with a determination to do things differently (as he always has), with an emphasis on quality and distinctive wines
Food
Seed Clare Valley is a celebration of relaxed regional dining in the heart of Clare. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner six days a week, Seed Clare Valley can cater for your dining needs any time of the day. From bistro plates to deli dining, or a drink on the rooftop overlooking spectacular sunsets and merry evenings, this is THE place to be to eat and drink in the Clare Valley. Or, if dining in is not an option, the deli shelves are lined with puttanesca, olives, anchovies, pasta and more to take back to the apartment for a causal meal in room.
The Watervale Hotel offers an all-day casual and fine dining experience from 11am to 9pm every day in a beautifully renovated old hotel that has retained the friendly atmosphere associated with a country pub.
Our purpose is to create an epicurean business that can act as a hub for our local community, a destination for visitors to our region, and a role model for ethical practices. We want our guests to delight all of their senses – feel warmth and comfort as they bask in the beauty of our bars, lounges and dining rooms; enjoy our music; breathe in the smells of the kitchen; taste the ‘fruits’ of our garden – and all of that with a sense of humor and humility.
Authentic Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria in the heart of the Clare Valley Region. We have created an extraordinary place where one detail is as important as all the others. Here, our guests can experience uncomplicated and contemporary Italian dining with fresh SA ingredients paired with Clare Valley and Italian wines.
Ragu & Co is located in a rustic and romantic venue, close to nature, with an Alfresco, indoor and function area where you can celebrate your best moments with family, friends and work colleagues.
Indii of Clare brings you authentic food from many regions of India. Since opening our doors in July 2013 we have received overwhelming support from Clare Valley locals and tourists. Every dish in our kitchen is created with passion and served with love. Come try our mouth-watering food and tell us how you feel.
If you are someone on the move a lot, then do not compromise the high quality of food that is served at Indii of Clare. With our flavourful and traditional dishes available to take away, no one misses out on the culinary adventure that is Indii of Clare. Take a look at our take away menu to see how to treat yourself.
Our Bush DeVine garden celebrates Indigenous Australian bush food. It’s a sensory garden with over 40 different types of plants that you can explore through smell, touch and taste.
There are so many exciting flavours hidden in the Australian bush that are well known to the traditional custodians of the land but barely tasted by many of us. The Bush DeVine Winery Restaurant brings these unique flavours to life with a quintessential Australian twist on many beloved favourites.
Magpie and Stump brings together good food, excellent wine and a great atmosphere. An innovative blend of country hotel, event destination, local landmark and regional showcase venue for up-and-coming winemakers, chefs and culinary creatives.
You can sit back and relax with a glass of local wine and a delicious cheese board made with regional produce. Perch yourself at the bar and enjoy some country tranquility with some local wine, beers and a bit of banter you’ll be sure to get some local tips on what’s hot and what’s not in the Valley.
If you try and picture your ideal country pub, your imagination will almost certainly conjure up a warmly inviting atmosphere. Hopefully, a log fire or two. It would probably picture quality but traditional design and genuinely friendly service. It would serve delicious hearty meals and accompany them with award-winning local wines and beers. Of course, it would have its own wine cellar, lots of inside and outside spaces to choose from and the locals would treat the place like it was the centre of their universe. Now open your eyes. Welcome to the Sevenhill Hotel.
The Olive Bus is a relaxing go-to destination on the edge of our olive grove and surrounded by vineyards. Come and try our lovely coffee or maybe even a glass of wine and relax for an hour or two in the peace and quiet. There’s no rush and plenty of space so why not join us for coffee and stay or lunch.
The Olive Bus is a licensed cafe and cellar door for our award winning Stone Ridge Olive Oil and less than five mins from the centre of Clare.
We’re open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 10-4 but watch out for Friday night pizzas or live music events. Booking is highly recommended for four or more people.
Activities and tours
At the Riesling Trail Bike Hire there is a wide variety of bikes and sizes ready for you to enjoy. From mountain bikes to retro cruisers, tandems to tagalongs and kiddie carriers (great for the toddlers) – they have the lot, even electric bikes to help you go the distance!
All bikes are professionally serviced and upgraded often, so all you need to worry about is making the most of your day.
Walk-ins welcome or book ahead to avoid disappointment! 0418 777 318
In the late 1980s the vision of two Clare Valley winemakers, Tony Brady and Evan Hiscock, planted the seeds from which the Riesling Trail has grown. The Clare Valley is one of Australia’s premium wine producing areas, internationally renowned for the quality of the Riesling wines it produces. It is the region’s reputation for Riesling which inspired the naming of the Trail.
This living hedge maze, consisting of over 800 conifers, features fountains, twists and turns to trick even the most committed explorer. And when you do find your way out, there’s plenty more to enjoy, with a range of giant-sized games featuring local Mintaro slate.
Bring a picnic and spend the afternoon, drop by for coffee and cake and browse in our gift shop, or simply enjoy a stroll through the maze to stretch your legs – Mintaro Maze offers a unique experience to be enjoyed by people of all ages!
Martindale Hall is a Georgian styled with Italianate-influenced sandstone mansion which has significant heritage value in South Australia. Built in 1879 – 1880 for Edmund Bowman Jr. at a cost of £30,000, it has some 32 rooms and boasts a large cellar of some 7 rooms.
To visit Martindale Hall today is a unique experience of a living museum, a step back in time to the days of gracious living on a large pastoral estate. From the 1800s to early 1900s, a rumoured 14 servants, 4 of which lived in the hall, were on call 24 hrs a day to look after the needs of two people. Such was the extravagant upper class lifestyle of the wealthy pastoralist.
The Clare Golf Club is an 18 hole, par 72 course with an Australian Men’s Course Rating of 72.
The course is 5,899 metres and is set in the heart of the Clare Valley. It is one of South Australia’s finest country courses. Set amongst vineyards, woodlands, lakes and creeks, this course provides numerous natural challenges and provides stunning scenery and the chance to see one of the many kangaroos living on the course.
The split-level Clubhouse features a sprig bar with outside paved barbecue area with tables, chairs and umbrellas. There is a stocked pro-shop with a resident golf professional on-hand for golf tuition.
Life is short, have a bit of fun, gather your friends, and make some memories! Shared or Private Wine Tours or even History Tours.
Charles is a local with experience in most of Australia’s wine regions. He also loves history – so the Clare Valley is his kind of place. He will collect you from your Clare Valley accommodation and return you there at the end of the tour.
Repose in the comfort of our leather seated and air-conditioned vehicle while you tour the magical Clare Valley. Your car is chauffer-registered, fully insured; we are fully accredited and police checked. Be safe out there?
Adelaide pick-up is available for a fee.
Hello, I’m Dave, aka Mr Wilson, a tour operator in my home town Clare. I’ll take you out on Clare Valley Wine Tours, Bottled History Tours and show you some of the best things to do in the Clare Valley.
I found my passion when I started doing tours. Clare Valley is SA’s little secret, a hidden gem that is starting to shine.
Join me to share the passion of Clare Valley with you.
We take care of everything, value packed hosted tours, or join us on a small group shared tour.
One price per person, no more to pay.
