Adelaide Hills is arguably Australia's prettiest premier cool climate wine region. Stretching from the Barossa and Eden Valleys in the north to the boundaries of McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek in the south, the Adelaide Hills is one of South Australia's largest wine regions. Running the entire eastern side of the city of Adelaide, the Mt Lofty Ranges are a narrow band over 100km long, a result of tectonic pressures millions of years ago.
Climate. The climate is 5ºC cooler than on the neighboring plains, making it the ideal getaway location for summer holidaymakers. Mount Lofty, the highest peak in the Mount Lofty ranges, rising to over 700 metres and acts as a rain shadow to the arid eastern plains. The annual rainfall can vary from 700 to 1250 mm per annum.
The cool climate, as a result of the elevation, makes it ideal for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Other grape varieties grown in the region include Merlot, Shiraz, Semillon and Cabernet Sauvignon and some experimental varieties Trollinger Lemberger (traditionally German), and Arneis, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo (traditional Italian varieties).
The high altitude, and the wet, cool spring, allows the fruit to mature more slowly than in other regions and the crop is generally harvested in April, depending on the variety and the season.
