South Australia's Wine Regions: 4-Day Luxury Small-Group Gourmet Tour with Wine Tastings & Chef-Hatted Dining
Fulfil your foodie dreams on this four-day luxury small-group tour (max. eight travellers) through South Australia’s most renowned wine regions. Spend one night in Adelaide’s CBD before making your way to Adelaide Hills, where a two-night stay at the famous Mount Lofty House will leave you feeling like a character straight out of The Great Gatsby. Embark on a full-day Barossa Valley tour, where you’ll enjoy private tastings at historic wineries like Henschke and Penfolds, before heading south to the Fleurieu Peninsula for a visit to the McLaren Vale Wine Region.
Impeccable dining experiences await; from a three chef-hatted dinner at the renowned Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant to a long lunch with wine at d’Arrys Verandah Restaurant, part of the world-famous d’Arenberg Cube. Spend your days traversing the patchwork landscapes of South Australia’s wine regions, passing historic vineyards, boutique wineries, silvery olive groves and verdant, rolling hills on your way to your next favourite local drop.
Your tour includes:
- Three nights of handpicked accommodation, including two nights at the five-star Mount Lofty House in Adelaide Hills
- Three breakfasts, three lunches with wine and three dinners with wine – including a three chef-hatted dinner at the renowned Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant and lunch at d’Arrys Verandah Restaurant, part of the world-famous d’Arenberg Cube
- Full-day Barossa Valley tour, including private wine tastings at Henschke and Penfolds
- Half-day tour of Adelaide Hills, including a visit to The Cedars historic property and a wine tasting at Saint & Scholar
- Half-day tour of McLaren Vale, including a visit to Lloyd Brothers Wine & Olive Company and a tasting at d’Arenberg Cube
- Guided walk to The Bluff and Granite Island on the Fleurieu Peninsula
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Transportation in a private vehicle throughout the tour
- The services of an expert local driver-guide
Your journey takes you to: Adelaide – Barossa Valley – Adelaide Hills – McLaren Vale – Adelaide.
Book with 100% Confidence: You can rest easy knowing that should you not be able to travel as a result of Government travel restrictions, even right up to the day of departure, Luxury Escapes will assist you with a date change. We can also provide you with a credit or refund for your booking (less any non-recoverable costs). See below for full terms and conditions.
Covid-19 health and safety practices: Our expert Tours team is working hard to ensure the highest health standards at every point of your journey. Find out more.
The Experiences – Private wine tastings, chef-hatted dining and more
Savour a special wine tasting experience in the heart of the Barossa Valley at Henschke, a family-owned, 153-year-old winery. Head into the winery’s most exclusive and renowned Hill of Grace vineyard and gain an insight into over 150 years of winemaking history. Then, you’ll be invited into a private tasting room, where you’ll enjoy a tasting of a variety of distinguished wines, including rare access to the Hill of Grace red, one of Australia’s cult favourite wines.
There’s no shortage of gastronomic wonders during this foodie adventure; all meals are included, and all meals are exceptional. Lunches are long and languorous celebrations of the region and are perfectly paired with local wines. Meanwhile, dinners are held in chef-hatted restaurants, where a paddock-to-plate philosophy shows off the spoils of South Australia’s produce.
Mount Lofty House – A romantic castle nestled in Adelaide Hills
Feel worlds away in this grand five-star fairytale estate, located an easy 15-minute drive from Adelaide’s CBD. Mount Lofty House was originally built in 1852 and hosted some of the state’s most lavish parties for socialites of the time. Revel in luxury during your stay, dining on an exquisite menu at the three chef-hatted Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant.
Located in the heart of the Adelaide Hills wine region, Mount Lofty House is perfectly positioned for discovering the area’s award-winning wineries, microbreweries and boutique distilleries. Surrounded by flourishing botanical gardens and boutique vineyards, offering stunning panoramas of the nearby Piccadilly Valley, this is a truly enchanting stay.
Your tour begins and ends at Adelaide Airport (ADL).
Flights are not included and must be purchased separately. Please book your flights to arrive at Adelaide Airport by 4pm on Day 1 and depart from Adelaide Airport any time after 5pm on Day 4. Please do NOT book your flights until your tour is confirmed.
Private roundtrip airport transfers are included in your tour on the first and last day only.
You MUST complete your booking form within 48 hours of booking. Following its completion, our Tours Concierge will be in touch to assist with any additional arrangements – including flights.
When travelling within Australia, please check current state/territory border entry requirements to ensure you’re eligible to travel and have completed any required permits or passes.
Need flights? Our dedicated flights concierge can assist with all your flight requirements. Contact sales@luxuryescapes.com.
Important Destination Information:
Time zone: AEST GMT +10:30
Telephone: +61
Currency: AUD
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the city. Cash is advised when visiting rural areas.
Language: English
Climate: Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers (December to February) and mild winters (June to August).
Day 1: Adelaide
Arrive in the capital of the Festival State, where your private vehicle will transfer you from the airport (ADL) to your hotel. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the CBD at leisure; perhaps peruse the stalls at the famous Adelaide Central Market for fresh local produce, providores of fine cheeses, artisan chocolates, coffee and much more.
Tonight, a three-course welcome dinner with wine at The Guardsman restaurant is the perfect way to kickstart this foodie adventure. The venue was once an old Adelaide train station, now transformed into a 1920s-style bar and restaurant serving up 100% South Australian produce with Middle Eastern, Indian and Asian-inspired flair.
Want to know more about Adelaide? Our insider travel guide includes handpicked places to eat and drink, the best activities in the area, and special experiences to make your trip memorable.
Accommodation: SkyCity Adelaide
Meals: Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Adelaide – Barossa Valley
Rise and shine for your full-day excursion into the famous Barossa Valley, one of the world’s great wine regions. At just 25 kilometres long, the compact but mighty Barossa is world-renowned for its excellent Australian wine. Learn more about what you can do in the Barossa Valley with our handy guide. En route to the valley, pass by the Torrens River and Gorge to visit the charming small town. Continue to Henschke, your first stop on today’s winery trail. Visit the Hill of Grace vineyard, Henschke’s most famous and historic vineyard, then take a tour of the working winery before enjoying a private tasting of Henschke’s wines, including the famous Hill of Grace red.
Lunch is a long and leisurely affair at Vintners Bar & Grill. After time to refuel, head off to your next stop: Penfolds. Penfolds has been making exceptional wines since 1844 and today you are privy to its historic winemaking process. Enjoy time in the late afternoon to explore the vineyards and wineries of the region; just speak to your tour guide, who will point you in the direction of wineries best suited to your preferences. Later, arrive at Mount Lofty House, your accommodation for the night. Dinner tonight is at the three chef-hatted Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant.
Accommodation: Mount Lofty House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine and Dinner with Wine
Day 3: Adelaide Hills
Wake up in the gorgeous landscapes of the Adelaide Hills, where winding roads meander through native gum forests, past apple orchards and sun-kissed vineyards. Begin your tour of the region with a stop at The Cedars, a heritage property that once housed the famous landscape painter and conservationist Sir Hans Heysen and his wife Sally. Take a tour of the home and its nearby botanic gardens. Lunch is served at Maximilian’s, a heritage homestead overlooking gorgeous garden grounds and the surrounding lakes. Feast on a menu of seasonal, innovative and modern Australian cuisine paired with award-winning wines.
Keep the good times rolling with a wine flight tasting at the adjoining Saint & Scholar, renowned for its excellent shiraz, pinot noir, pinot gris and chardonnay. The rest of the afternoon is left free for you to enjoy as you like – you may opt to continue exploring the area or head back to your hotel to sleep off lunch. Check out our helpful Adelaide Hills guide for inspiration on how to spend your time here. Reconvene for one last special dinner tonight at Stirling Hotel’s Wine Bar + Dining Room. Share stories over a mouthwatering meal accompanied by local wines.
Accommodation: Mount Lofty House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine and Dinner with Wine
Day 4: McLaren Vale – Adelaide
Make the journey to South Australia’s “other” wine region today. McLaren Vale runs along the peninsula south of Adelaide. Your first stop today is Lloyd Brothers Wine & Olive Company, where you can taste fresh kalamata olives and cold-pressed olive oils. Continue to the famous d’Arenberg Cube, set in a breathtaking five-storey building that appears to float among the vines. Inside you’ll find a tasting room, casual eatery, private function area and art gallery. Make your way to the top level of the cube and enjoy a glass of d’Arenberg wine. Savour lunch at d’Arrys Verandah Restaurant overlooking the undulating hills and spectacular vineyard.
Your last stop today is the seaside town of Victor Harbor, on the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula, where soaring granite cliffs and pristine beaches make up the landscape. Take a guided walk to The Bluff headland and Granite Island, where you’re awarded breathtaking views of the Southern Ocean. Afterwards, spend time exploring the local village of Victor.
Your journey comes to an end with a transfer to Adelaide airport.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine