The 7 Best Adelaide Wine Tours (Reviews For 2024)
If you find yourself in Adelaide, you’ll undoubtedly discover that it’s a wonderful city where history and contemporary sophistication meld together.
However, if you’re looking for a more relaxing adventure, I highly recommend trying out a wine tour. From the green stretches of the Barossa Valley to the rustic wineries of McLaren Vale, each of these 7 best Adelaide wine tours offers much more than exquisite wine (though there’s certainly no shortage of that).
They’ve all been carefully selected to ensure you’re having an experience well worth your time and money. Let’s dive right in!
Best Wine Tours From Adelaide
| Adelaide: The Barossa Valley Premium Wine Tour with Lunch | Barossa Valley Cellar Door Small Group Tour | Small Tour Barossa Valley Voyager Tour from Adelaide | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
 |  |  | |
| Meeting Location: | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Hotel pickup and drop-off included |
| Tour Length: | 8 hours | 8.5 hours | 8 hours |
| Start Time(s): | 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| What’s Included: | 3 exquisite wine-tasting cellar-door experiences, Chef-prepared 'Barossa Feast' lunch by award-winning Slaters kitchen, expert commentary | 4 winery tours, lunch, standard wine tasting fees, roundtrip transportation in air-conditioned vehicle | Roundtrip transportation to five different wineries, tour of the McLaren Vale wine region, bottled water, lunch, wine tasting |
Our 7 Top Picks For The Best Adelaide Wine Tour:
- Adelaide: The Barossa Valley Premium Wine Tour with Lunch
- Barossa Valley Cellar Door Small Group Tour
- Small Tour Barossa Valley Voyager Tour from Adelaide
- McLaren Vale Winery Small Group Tour with Wine Tasting and Lunch
- Adelaide: Highlights, Hahndorf, & McLaren Vale Wine Tastings
- Barossa Valley Full-Day Tour
- From Adelaide: Hahndorf and Barossa Valley with Winery Lunch
Adelaide Wine Tour Reviews
1. Adelaide: The Barossa Valley Premium Wine Tour with Lunch
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Start Time(s): 9:00 AM
- What’s Included: 3 exquisite wine-tasting cellar-door experiences, Chef-prepared ‘Barossa Feast’ lunch by award-winning Slaters Kitchen, Vegetarian options available, Pickup and drop-off at over 40 locations around the CBD & Glenelg, Expert commentary, Sightseeing, Photo opportunities
What to Expect on the Tour
Holding over 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors, the Barossa Valley is one of the oldest and most reputable wine-producing areas in the entire world.
It’s an iconic spot with an incredible history, and even if you aren’t exactly a wine enthusiast, you’ll love its architecture, natural beauty, and rich background.
The Adelaide: The Barossa Valley Premium Wine Tour with Lunch excursion is a fantastic way to see some of the most famous locations and hidden gems your guide will reveal.
Start by savoring premium wines at renowned cellar doors, with staff there to guide you through the process and identify the different flavor notes of each.
Learn about the craftsmanship behind each bottle, take a tour of the estate, and then continue on through the picturesque valley. Expect plenty of opportunities for photo stops, from the hills and vineyards to the amazing manmade landmarks.
Finish things up with a visit to the charming township of Tanunda, filled with shops, great cafes, and other cool attractions.
What Makes This Tour Great
From the very second this tour started, I knew it was going to be a wonderful day. Our guide was super friendly, incredibly knowledgeable, and did a great job driving around and keeping us both safe and entertained!
The 3 wineries we visited were all lovely, focusing on their history and heritage, along with their incredible wines, of course. They taught us pretty much every single step of the process, from vineyard to bottle.
The picturesque grounds, fountain, and hidden tunnels were super cool to learn about and explore, and I made sure to take plenty of photos.
We also had plenty of time to explore the quaint town of Tanunda, where we strolled and browsed local shops with a coffee in hand. Saltrams Winery not only had a delicious black-fruit-and-spice Shiraz but also had a full-on feast of tasty hot and cold dishes there waiting for us!
Take time to digest and soak in the breathtaking views from Menglers Hill lookout before arriving at Rosenvale Winery for some more wine tastings!
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
2. Barossa Valley Cellar Door Small Group Tour
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Tour Length: 8.5 hours
- Start Time(s): 8:00 AM
- What’s Included: 4 winery tours, lunch, standard wine tasting fees, roundtrip transportation in air-conditioned vehicle
What to Expect on the Tour
Whether you’re a fan of Syrah and Shiraz, or are a complete newbie, this effortless day tour offers a day of relaxed enjoyment and education. With door-to-door transfers, you don’t have to worry about driving out there yourself or trying to find a random meetup point in the city.
This is particularly important when it comes to wine tasting, as no one should be driving under the influence. The carefully selected tastings at some of the top premier cellar doors in the country all offer a unique look into the area’s winemaking traditions.
You’ll of course get the opportunity to sample the wines, as well as the local produce to enhance the experience. Expect a delicious lunch featuring an array of local flavors all included in the tour price, which isn’t always the case!
The personalized service and small-group setting are designed for engagement and comfort and is (what I feel) the only way to properly see the region.
What Makes This Tour Great
When I saw that this tour included 4 different winery stops, I was a bit wary if we’d have a sufficient amount of time at each one. Not only did we have enough time, but we even made stops at beautiful lookouts and landmarks along the way!
The 4 that you visit may not be the same exact 4 that I did, but you can rest assured that each one is known for its exceptional wines and traditions.
One of my favorite stops was at Rusden Wines, where we learned about their traditional methods, varieties, and blends. While Australia’s wine industry is still relatively starting out, Rusden is already one of the most reputable.
The 1847 Winery and Vineyards was also impressive, learning about a few of their 1847 premium wines and their nearly 200-year-old history! The Lambert Estate Wines were absolutely beautiful, but equally as pleasing was their winemaker platter served with hot chips and other tasty treats!
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
3. Small Tour Barossa Valley Voyager Tour from Adelaide
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Start Time(s): 9:00 AM
- What’s Included: Roundtrip transportation to five different wineries, tour of the McLaren Vale wine region, bottled water, lunch, wine tasting
What to Expect on the Tour
This tour is a wine lover’s dream, taking you through the illustrious Barossa Valley – already known as a top destination for wine aficionados.
It’s the perfect escape whether you’re staying in Adelaide or Glenelg, with an expert guide there to handle all the logistics and transportation for you.
This tour includes visits to 4 to 5 (depending on time) distinguished cellar doors, where you’ll sample a curated selection of local wines, including Shiraz, Riesling, Grenache, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Expect a small-group experience where you can feel free to ask your guide any questions you may have, with a group tiny enough that you aren’t losing that intimate feeling that a winery should give.
Aside from fantastic wine tastings, you’ll enjoy a delicious 2-course lunch (also paired with a glass of wine), for a tour that perfectly encompasses the region’s rich flavors and winemaking heritage.
What Makes This Tour Great
After our convenient hotel pickup, our guide chatted with us, sharing plenty of interesting information about the region’s winemaking history as well as more specific facts about the wines they specialize in. I’m a big fan of Riesling, so I was really excited to learn about theirs and get to try them!
Our first stop was at the Kies Family Wines, heading into their restored stone cottage where one of the owners actually took us around and taught us how they’ve been around for an impressive 6 generations already!
Lagnmail Winery was incredibly educational, and I learned they’re actually home to the Freedom Shiraz vine, which was planted nearly 200 years ago and is the oldest vine on the planet still producing wine today!
We even got to see the restored 1842 trading village started by German migrant, Christian Auricht (who also planted the first Shiraz vineyard here).
We went on to a couple of other incredible, intimate wineries enjoying a 2-course lunch, a relaxed tasting overlooking the expansive valley, and many more lovely experiences.
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
4. McLaren Vale Winery Small Group Tour with Wine Tasting and Lunch
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Start Time(s): 9:00 AM
- What’s Included: Roundtrip transportation, guided day trip of McLaren Vale Winery, small-group tour, lunch, standard wine tasting fees at 4 cellar doors
What to Expect on the Tour
No matter what your interests are, McLaren Vale is always a good idea. With scenic views of vineyards rolling down the lush hills down to the ocean, it has a rustic feel that just feels very authentic and free of tourists (though they’re definitely there!).
It has tons of interesting cellar doors to visit and more of a laidback feel than Barossa – not to mention, their velvety reds are some of the best I’ve had in Australia.
This intimate experience maxes out at just 10 participants, with your pro guide there to lead the way through some of the top wineries in the region. On the way there, you can expect pristine views of the coastline while your guide tells you and your group about the history of the region.
Arrive at your first stop, where you’ll try plenty of fine wines with a winemaker who will showcase exactly why they’ve won so many awards!
After that, you can expect a mix of wineries that produce small-batch, handcrafted wines as well as slightly larger estates.
A nice regional platter lunch consisting of local dishes and produce is included at one of the winery’s restaurants, with beautiful views and plenty of good company! Along your journey, you’ll have plenty of time for photo ops at interesting sites!
What Makes This Tour Great
First of all, I can assure you that you won’t regret spending a day out in McLaren Vale – especially not on this small-group tour. With roundtrip transportation from both Adelaide and Glenelg, all you have to focus on is the beautiful scenery and amazing wine!
Our guide was very knowledgeable regarding the McLaren Vale region, providing us with bits of history and hidden gems that we likely wouldn’t have been able to see otherwise.
The wine was simply incredible, and I had a great time at the tasty lunch, as well as our little stop at the famous chocolate shop to pick up some treats for later!
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
5. Adelaide: Highlights, Hahndorf, & McLaren Vale Wine Tastings
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Varies
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Start Time(s): Varies
- What’s Included: Roundtrip transportation, wine tasting at two wineries, guided day-trip, transportation
What to Expect on the Tour
Expect a fantastic overview tour that covers not only plenty of wineries, but a guided day tour of some of the best the Adelaide area has to offer! If it’s your first time in Adelaide, I highly recommend putting this tour at the top of your list.
With plenty of pickups available from various locations, it’s very comfortable and a great way to spend a day out in the fresh air.
The enchanting tour starts with your guide sharing Adelaide’s history and plenty of useful insider tips as you explore the elegant Federation architecture and charming streets before heading up to the incredible summit of Mount Lofty.
From here, you’ll see the quaint German settlement of Hahndorf, with a couple of hours to wandering through its boutique shops and cozy eateries.
Traverse Adelaide Hills where you may even see some kangaroos and koalas!
Continue on to 2 amazing wine tastings at distinguished wineries, where you’ll try an array of their top reds and whites along with optional cheese plates.
What Makes This Tour Great
This is one of the most well-rounded, insightful tours I’ve been in – with any tour, not just wine! I really felt like an expert on Adelaide’s rich history and culture by the time we were through, with plenty of opportunities to see the incredible architecture and natural landscapes.
I loved our time in Hahndorf, where I picked up some charming little souvenirs while sipping on an amazing cafe and trying some German dishes.
Haselgrove Wines’ tour was incredible, and I found some reds that became my new favorites. Chapel Hill Winery was breathtaking, and we got the full rundown on the inner workings, the vineyards, and went through a detailed wine tasting.
As if that weren’t enough already, we finished things off with a scenic drive along the coastline and dinner by the sea.
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
6. Barossa Valley Full-Day Tour
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Start Time(s): 9:00 AM
- What’s Included: Guided wine tasting, driver/guide with live commentary on board, lunch, free wine tastings, air-conditioned vehicle
What to Expect on the Tour
If you’re looking to learn more about the region’s culinary and vinous offerings, look no further than the Barossa Valley Full-Day Tour.
Depending on the time, you’ll visit either 4 or 5 of the region’s premier wineries, each offering a special look into Barossa’s famed winemaking heritage. Head through charming villages like Lyndoch, Tanunda, and Angaston, with your guide customizing the itinerary to suit your group’s preferences.
You’ll have a great time at Maggie Berr’s renowned farm shop in Nuriootpa, where you’ll find a bounty of artisanal produce and local treats (make sure to get some to go, too!). Then, soak it all in with breathtaking views from Mengler Hill, overlooking the amazing Barossa Valley.
What Makes This Tour Great
Our guide was a rockstar, offering a wealth of knowledge to us throughout the entire tour with professionalism and patience. He knew so much about local history and tailored our tour accordingly, complete with amazing views of the local scenery and great wine tastings.
It was very interesting learning about the local wine history, as well as the German settlers here. All of the 3 wineries were varied an offered something different, though my favorite was probably Rosenvale Vineyards, thanks to the detailed way they showed us how they made their wines.
However, the lunch at the second winery was absolutely beautiful, and I’m a sucker for good food and great architecture! I can’t forget Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, however, where we had some time to relax, take photos and have a little walk around the pond – make sure to keep an eye out for pheasants and tortoises!
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
7. From Adelaide: Hahndorf and Barossa Valley with Winery Lunch
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Start Time(s): n/a
- What’s Included: Roundtrip transportation, guided tour, lunch, Maggie Beer Farm, wine tastings, chocolate factory
What to Expect on the Tour
This is a refined journey through the Barossa Valley with this exclusive guided tour from Adelaide, made for those who are interested in history, local culture, and wine.
Start the day with a seamless pickup from Adelaide, which sets the stage for a picturesque drive through the beautiful hills. Experience the charm of historic Hahndorf, with village streets lined with cafes, restaurants, boutique shops, and more.
You’ll then head to either 2 or 3 of Barossa Valley’s renowned wineries, where you can learn about and try local varietals, as well as the nuances between each estate’s offerings.
After that, enjoy a filling lunch complete with local produce and meats while chatting with your guide about your experience so far. Finish things up with a sweet treat at a local chocolate factory, and beautiful views on the way back!
What Makes This Tour Great
This was an amazing day led by an incredible local guide who knew just about everything you could imagine about the region’s history, culture, and wine!
The wineries we visited were all a bit different from one-another, offering insight into the different winemaking techniques and traditions, as well as different grapes. Maggie Beer’s Farm was also a ton of fun, and our entire group was smiling the entire time.
The chocolate factory is optional, but I recommend taking the guide up on that offer! You’ll learn how they make their chocolate treats, but more importantly, get to take home samples!
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
Wines Tasted
Wineries
Tour Guides
The Barossa Valley Premium Wine Tour with Lunch is our Editors Choice for the best Adelaide wine tour
Kevin John O’Neill won his WSET level 3 award in 2018. He was a judge in the 2019 New Orleans International Wine Awards. In addition to his experience developing wine brands, he’s also managed millions of dollars in annual wine and spirits revenue.