The Under-the-radar Wine Trail You Need to Know

Elevated in the Adelaide Hills just 20 minutes from the city is the cool-climate appellation sub-region of Piccadilly Valley, known for its pinot noir, chardonnay and sparkling. The best way to explore this wine-making pocket is to follow the Piccadilly Valley Trail, a driveable collection of five wineries that you can take at your own pace.

Settle by the fire at CRFT Wines

CRFT Wines – a Halliday 5-star rated winery and vineyard – is run by husband-and-wife team Candice Helbig and Frewin Ries. Launched in 2012, it was one of the first in the Adelaide hills to achieve full organic certification and specialises in small-batch, single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Grüner Veltliner and Chardonnay. Their relaxed Tasting Room overlooks a rolling, sustainable vineyard. Pull up a pew at the sunny terrace or sit beside the roaring stone fireplace on cool days, and taste through wine flights, wine by the glass or bottle, and local produce grazing plates. A must-try is the certified organic Arranmore Vineyard Pinot Noir, grown just metres from the tasting room and regularly scored as 'outstanding', at 94 points and above from James Suckling and Halliday Wine Companion.

Sip bubbles at Greenhill Wines

Time your journey along the Piccadilly Valley Trail to arrive at Greenhill Wines by lunch. The vineyard spoils visitors with sweeping valley vistas threaded with grapevines crafted by winemaker Paul Henschke. Find a place in the restored settlers cottage-turned-café to enjoy a mediterranean-inspired lunch featuring baked semolina ravioli with green romanesco sauce or halloumi with brassica, broad bean mint and feta. Complement your meal with a tasting of Greenhill’s wines, which are made with hand-picked grapes grown within a 2.5-kilometre radius and value minimal intervention. Try the bottle-fermented 2019 Estate ‘Strawberry Fields’ Sparkling Pinot Brut Rose that uses Piccadilly Valley fruit – it has a creamy texture and a crisp, fruity finish.

Try a rare drop at Lofty Valley Estate

Set on 32 acres of hillsides in Ashton in the Piccadilly Valley, Lofty Valley Estate is a small, boutique winery that channels its attention into the cool-loving varietals of pinot noir, chardonnay and sparkling. Producing just 500–800 cases each year, what this hands-on operation lacks in size it makes up for in considered drops from winemaker, owner and doctor Brian Gilbert. Make yourself comfortable in the cellar door overlooking the vineyard to appreciate the high natural acidity and clean finish of Gilbert’s wines. Don’t leave without a bottle of the gold medal-winning, estate-grown 2020 Lani’s View Chardonnay and make time to browse in Lani Ramsey's onsite woven fibre art studio and gallery.

Discover a heritage vineyard at Tapanappa Wines

Watch the shadows lengthen across The Tiers Vineyard, the oldest in the Adelaide Hills, as you sip at a glass of Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard 2022 Chardonnay at the Tapanappa Cellar Door. This historic vineyard has been planted with chardonnay grapes since 1979 and still produces award-winning wines under the guidance of wine innovator and owner Brian Croser. Settle in to learn about the terroir of this truly distinguished site for Chardonnay as you work your way through a tasting of Tapanappa’s 3 Distinguished Site vineyards whilst grazing on a cheese plate.

Park up with a Pinot at Wotton Family Wines

The Wotton family have been horticulturalists in the Piccadilly Valley for 150 years however, it wasn’t until 1994 that the first wine grapes were planted on the property and Wotton Family Wines was born. Swing by the cellar door on weekends to enjoy a glass (or more) of the 2018 Wotton Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir with notes of ripe cherries then stroll through the vineyards. Should the occasion call for bubbles, be sure to pop the cork of a bottle of the fruity 2020 Wotton Sparkling Rose made with hand-picked pinot grapes and barrel fermented for a balanced body.