The Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale, as well as Langhorne Creek wine areas are all close enough for a convenient day journeys as well as varied enough to satisfy any palate. Little preparation clearly makes a big difference.
Well, these 7 errors can ruin a wonderful day, & they also include solutions.
1) Scheduling your day too much
The error: Assuming that 5-6 cellar doors are “on the way,” they are packed in. Conversations, tastings, as well as travel always take longer than the map indicates.
Instead, do this:
A relaxing lunch should be held in the centre of three (four at most) locations. In order to avoid retracing, group wineries by sub-region. Also, add a buffer time of 10 to 15 minutes between photo stops as well as buying reservations.
Pro tip: Here, a well-planned path across one region is nearly always preferable to a haphazard one across two.
2) Missing lunch or making a reservation at the Wrong time
The error: Making it through tastings without eating or booking lunch too early or late, which disrupts the entire itinerary.
Instead, do this:
- Between 12:30 & 1:30 pm, it is a better thing to reserve a seat-down meal at the 2nd
- In order to balance the palate as well as energy levels, choose a food that includes protein, vegetables, as well as carbohydrates.
- Here 5-7 days in advance, confirm dietary needs so the kitchen can organize appropriately.
Pro tip: Set menus or share plates. Keep the conversation going & the timing precise.
3) Donning inappropriate footwear (and attire)
The error: All-white clothing near barrels, slick soles on slate, as well as stilettos on gravel-recipes for pain (and stains).
Instead, do this:
- Wear perfectly cleaned, well-gripped sneakers, closed-toe flats, or ankle boots & dress smart-casual in layers because the Hills can change temperatures in a single day.
- Always carry a small Jacket
- In the summer, bring sunglasses as well as sunscreen
- In the winter, a foldable umbrella.
Expert advice: Steer clear of strong cologne or perfume as it mucks-up the scents in the glass.
4) Taking your own vehicle
The error: Assuming “it’s just sips” or designating a designated driver who rotates. Regional roads are unfamiliar, & even little pours pile up.
Instead, do this:
- Reserve a private driver with local knowledge or a wine tour with a chauffeur.
- Choose cars with water, USB-C charging, as well as covert bottle storage. Let your driver take care of parking & timing so you can concentrate on the enjoyable aspects.
Pro tip: In case of inclement weather or a congested venue, a skilled host can also arrange last-minute running modifications.
5) Beginning without a well-defined tasting strategy
Ordering the biggest flight at each cellar door was the error. Palate fatigue strikes faster as well as subtleties are lost.
Instead, do this:
- Choose a theme for each location, like Clare Riesling, Adelaide Hills sparkling as well as Chardonnay, McLaren Grenache types, & Barossa Shiraz vertical.
- In order to try more labels with fewer pours, share flights.
- Between wines, sip water & have a small snack (crackers, nuts) on hand.
Pro tip: In order to protect your palate, ask the host to pour light to assertive or dry to sweet.
6) Making an early (or late) purchase
The error: Making purchases at the last minute as well as running out of time, or loading the boot at stop one & then later determining a bottle that is a must-have.
Instead, do this:
- Take early pictures of labels you like, noting the price and vintage.
- On your way back, choose one or two standouts from each location (most are delighted to hold) & depart with the cellar door for collection.
- Inquire about shipping options in case you are flying
- They are safer for bottles & frequently less expensive than extra baggage.
Pro tip: You will not determine cellar-door wines & limited releases at home, so provide them priority.
The smooth operation of the day is more crucial for a superb Adelaide wine tour as compared to the number of stops you make. Make sure the tastings are targeted, the route is condensed, & the logistics are managed perfectly by locals who are familiar with the back roads & booking patterns.
Organizing a door-to-door, private encounter? Well, we generate unique Adelaide wine excursions for couples, parties, & business teams that include priority tastings, expertly prepared lunches, & smooth transportation. We will generate a route that avoids all seven traps & showcases the area’s best features in case you let us know your date and group size.