Wine Producing Regions - Barossa Valley

You can click the dots on the map or alternatively click the licks on the left to find out more information about that region of South Australia.

• Overview
• Adelaide Hills
• Adelaide Plains
• Barossa Valley
• Clare Valley
• Coonawarra
• Currency Creek
• Eden Valley
• Kangaroo Island
• Langhome Creek
• McLaren Vale
• Mount Benson
• Padthaway
• Riverland
• Southern Fleurieu
• Southern Flinders
• Wrattonbully

Barossa Valley, South Australia

Barossa Zone, South Australia

With a rich history dating back to 1847, a profound and unique Silesian (German) influence, the Barossa Valley is one of the most famous wine regions of South Australia and, indeed, Australia. The region is now rightly asserting not only its importance to the wine industry but the inestimable value of its storehouse of century-old vines and historic wineries.

The twists and turns of the Barossa Valley are at times as clearly defined as those of the world famous Napa Valley in California. At other times they disappear into a series of rolling hills and transverse valleys, which can easily disorient as well as charm the first time visitor. In consequence, site, slope and aspect all vary widely.

The climate of the region has often been unfairly characterised as very warm but, in fact, in its lower parts it is only moderately so and at higher altitudes quite cool, as indicated by the Williamstown details given below. In fact, as John Gladstones has pointed out, its biologically effective temperature summation and ripening mean temperatures are almost identical with those of Margaret River. However, the region does have a wide diurnal temperature range, higher maxima, more sunshine and a much lower humidity and rainfall. All of this adds up to a continental climate ideal for full bodied red wines, excellent fortified wines and generally robust white wines.

There are two basic soil types; brown, loamy sand to clay loam and more sandy light brownish grey to dark grey brown soils. Both are relatively low in fertility -- particularly the second type -- and acidity tends to increase with depth. Traditional viticulture (bush pruning, no irrigation) results in low yields of high quality grapes.

Wine Notes

Chardonnay

As with Semillon, the Chardonnay tends to produce a relatively full-bodied, quick-maturing style when produced from grapes grown on the Barossa Valley floor or the lower foothills.

Riesling

Just as almost every Barossa Valley winery has a Shiraz, so too, does it have a Riesling. Increasingly these are sourced wholly or partially outside the valley (usually from the nearby Eden and Clare Valleys). The style is quintessentially Australian; strong with passionfruit, tropical fruits and lime flavours which can build magnificently with prolonged bottle age although only a tiny percentage is given the opportunity.

Semillon

Semillon has had a distinct renaissance, frequently being given a seductive toasting of American oak, and developing quickly into a robust and full-bodied wine.

Grenache and Mourvedre

Old vine Grenache and Mourvedre are in almost as much demand as old vine Shiraz. Hundreds of hectares were lost during the Vine-Pull of the 1980’s, and what was left was chiefly used to make fortified wines. There is intense competition for the grapes between fortified and table winemakers, competition that is likely to further intensify in the years ahead.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon follows a similar track to that of Shiraz. Wonderfully strong and rich in flavour and colour, it does manage to cling to its varietal character but it is often best blended with grapes from other regions such as the Eden Valley, McLaren Vale or Coonawarra.

Shiraz

Almost every Barossa Valley winery has a Shiraz or Shiraz blend somewhere on the books; the style is full bodied, dark in colour, rich in dark red fruits with a touch of chocolate, a hint of roasted character and sometimes eucalypt as well as mint. The structure is round and velvety, and the wines are almost invariably extremely long lived.