Hahndorf and Hills Gourmet Food and Wine Tour

Your gourmet experience starts here…

While the Adelaide Hills are a relatively young wine region, their cool climate provides a distinctive point of difference from other South Australian regions. The Adelaide Hills are known for their exceptional Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz, but the Hills are also home to many emerging varieties new to the Australian scene. However, wine is only part of the story of the beautiful Adelaide Hills, so sit back and relax as we show you the very best produce, wine and sightseeing the Adelaide Hills has to offer.

Our gourmet food, wine and sightseeing tour begins with a tour of the iconic Haigh’s Chocolate Factory. Let your senses erupt as you are hit with the delicious smell of chocolate and enjoy a sample as you are shown the art of fine chocolate making.

Once your sweet tooth has been satisfied, we make our way up to the Adelaide Hills, arriving at Mount Lofty Summit, Adelaide’s highest peak. Here you will get to experience a wonderful panoramic view of Adelaide and beyond, before hopping back in our luxury minivan and travelling through the beautiful Hills villages of Stirling, Aldgate and Bridgewater, arriving in Hahndorf.

Our first tasting for the day will be at Shaw + Smith, established in 1989. Here you will get to enjoy a ‘Wine Flight’ (set tasting) of three white and two red wines matched to assorted local cheese. Be sure to savour your first sip of Adelaide Hills cool climate wines as you look out over the sauvignon blanc vineyards from the comfortable tasting room.

Next we visit Beerenberg Strawberry Farm Shop – a sixth generation local business. Almost 200 years ago the Paech family arrived in Hahndorf from German speaking Prussia with the name ‘Beerenberg’ originating from their heritage and meaning ‘Berry Hill’ in German. Here you can view and sample their world renowned products with the option to purchase their delicious condiments to take home if you wish. If visiting during strawberry season (November to April) be sure to try their freshly picked strawberries, known for being sweet, juicy and full of flavour!

It’s time for more wine tasting and there is no shortage at Sidewood Cellar Door! Founded in 2004, Sidewood’s history may be short, but that hasn’t stopped them from producing award winning wines of the highest quality. Here we have a special treat for anyone who would like to try their luck at sinking a hole in one on Sidewood’s floating golf green. If you succeed you win a $1000 in prizes to spend at the cellar door and adjoining Maximilian’s Restaurant. Don’t leave without trying Sidewood’s award winning apple and pear cider. Made from a wine making perspective, it is extremely crisp and low sugar, and goes down far too easily on a hot summers day!

Lunch is calling as we travel to Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, settled in 1839 by Captain Hahn and 38 Lutheran German families who were escaping persecution by the King of Prussia. Here you will get free time to explore and purchase your own lunch – with a choice of over 40 cafes, pubs and restaurants within a 1km strip on the beautiful main street there is no shortage of options! Before leaving why not pop into Udder Delights for complimentary cheese tasting.

Our last stop for the day is at Prancing Pony Brewery. Watch the brewers hard at work while you taste your way through a plank of six boutique beers, enjoying the fruits of their labour. Take note as you taste the India Red Ale, which took out Supreme Champion Beer at the 2016 International Beer Challenge in London. For the non-beer drinkers, enjoy a glass of wine, cider or tea/coffee.

As we make our way back to your accommodation, it is only fitting to sit back and relax with a complimentary box of chocolates – that means no fighting over the best ones!