Clare Valley
A two–hour drive from the city centre, the Clare Valley is situated at the edge of the Flinders ranges. Cool climate the region is famous for their steely elegant Rieslings and super refined cool climate red wines. The wines of this valley are strictly premium, and in fact , when thinking about it, it is hard to conjure a memory of a bad wine. A dessert queen from way back the search for sweet Australian wines to match our dishes has been never ending. In this region are two especial favourites; Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling is stunning perfection with some of our more complex citrus and passionfruit desserts, but equally it will stand its ground against an uncompromising rose water syrup drenched pudding. Our other favourite is Tim Adam’s Botrytis Affected Riesling a stunning drop that loves the sleekness of fruit jellies and fresh fruit and doesn’t freak out at the sight of a dash of cream.
David Hay and Michael Speers (formerly Thorn Park Country House) have opened their new luxury accommodation Thorn Park by the Vines. Situated in a lovely vineyard aspect their new venture embodies the same high standrad they have always delivered.
Cellar doors are located quite closely together and the well signed Riesling Trail is very popular with walkers and bicycle riders. It also means you can swallow all that great wine instead of spit, which of course you must, if you are driving. On the way up or back we always stop of Four Leaf Milling. Certified organic their products are tremendous especially their barley and chickpeas and we also love their Egyptian Gold flour. If you cook a lot buying 5 kilo bags is a great way to save. We never use their wonderful ingredients without people asking for the recipes and asking why they taste so good.
For a region that produces such fantastic produce it is disappointing that so little of it is apparent in the restaurants and café’s of the region. Sadly outside of the upper end accommodation and dinner packages in the region the Clare Valley lacks that culinary jewel open to the general public for a la carte dining, like for instance the Barossa’s Appellation or Adelaide Hill’s Bridgewater Mill Restaurant. It doesn’t really have a match for those very good rustic dining experiences in other regions. Swans at Mintaro have friendly informal service and the cooking is generous and tasty very simple Australian country fare. We believe that their sibling restaurant Cygnets in Auburn delivers pretty much the same experience. Also in Auburn, Make sure to go to Mintaro and have a drink at the lovely old Magpie and Stump Hotel.
Pub food is basic old fashioned Aussie pub food like a steak with a pile of chips and a plain salad. We particularly like the Rising Sun Hotel at Auburn and Seven Hill pubs, nothing flash but good value for money with plenty of well–priced local wines. We love the 40s small dining room at the Rising Sun. You’ll probably get to meet a few locals who are bound to bang on about how fab their wines are. Moreover, you know what they’ll be right!

 

Thorn Park by the Vines
Quarry Road Sevenhill South Australia 5453
w www.thornpark.com.au
E stay@thornpark.com.au
t +61 8 8843 4304

North Bundaleer
Jamestown South Australia 5491
t +61 8 8665 4024
w www.northbundaleer.com.au
Four fabulously furnished suites in a century-old pastoralist’s mansion and great cooking

THE STATION CAFÉ
Mount Horrocks Wines Pty Ltd
Cellar Door Curling Street
Auburn South Australia 5451
w www.mounthorrocks.com
e sales@mounthorrocks.com – not for bookings
t 8849 2265
f 8849 2202
OPEN Weekends and public holidays 10.00am to 5.00pm
read their review

Sevenhill Hotel
Main North Road Sevenhill South Australia 5453
t + 61 8 8843 4217

Rising Sun Hotel
19 Main North Road Auburn South Australia 5451
t +61 8 8849 2015

Magpie & Stump Hotel
Burra Street Mintaro South Australia 5415
t +61 8 8843 9014

Swans at Mintaro
Sevenhill–Mintaro Road Mintaro South Australia 5415
t +61 8 8843 9111
read their review

Cygnets At Auburn
20 Main Rd Auburn 5451
t +61 8 8849 2030

Clare Valley Visitor Information Centre
Corner Main North Road and Spring Gully Road Clare South Australia
t 1800 242 131
E ask@clarevalley.com.au

Four Leaf Milling Pty Ltd
Lot 120 Main Road Tarlee South Australia 5411
t +61 8 8528 5330
w www.fourleafmilling.com
Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5.00 pm

 

Clare Valley Cellar Door Information

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