The Clare Valley.

The Clare Valley in South Australia's Mt Lofty Ranges, is a world-renowned wine-growing region, famous for its table wines, particularly Riesling and Shiraz.

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This is one of Australia's oldest and most famous wine regions is in the Mid North of South Australia approximately 120 km north of Adelaide and it’s one of the most scenic regions, presenting visitors with a series of small intimate valleys and magnificent views.

Despite the wine region's proximity to its larger neighbour, The Barossa Valley the Clare Valley retains its own identity with a concentration of smaller, boutique wineries.

There are several distinct sub-regions within the Valley each with its collection of wineries and cellar door outlets.

First settled in the 1840s, the region is steeped in history and there are museums and historic homes to visit.

Here is a place where you’ll find a slice of genuine country Australia.

In towns such as Burra and Kapunda, lovingly restored to their former beauty and heritage listed, you can meet them in the streets, in the shops, on their farms and at their wineries.

They’ll let you buy them a beer, or coffee, and enthrall you with yarns about their life on the land.

If it’s a taste of real Aussie country you’re after then this is about as real as it gets.

As a region, the Clare Valley has a warm ‘country’ feel to it, couple this with the most wonderful wine list and you’ve got something really special.

Wine experts regularly make the pilgrimage after vintage in March or April but you don't need to be a connoisseur to appreciate the wine lands.

Grab a bike and ride the 25 or so kilometres (that’s about 15 miles) through the vineyards on the Riesling Trail, you won’t be disappointed.

Watch master wine makers at work in cellars that were here at the beginning of the last century, taste test the wines, eat from the surprising range of foods that have been grown, farmed or produced in the region, from free-range chickens to chutney, carob to cod, saltbush hogget to organic lamb.

You'll see it available in shops, cellar doors, farm outlets, cafes and restaurants.

So grab a picnic blanket, a full basket of your favourite goodies and a bottle or two of your favourite drop and enjoy the view...

Many visitors to Clare Valley enjoy a chance to sample some of the local wine at some of the many cellar door outlets in the region.

This will give you free wines, premium tastings and special tours and offers at over 50 iconic and boutique South Australian wineries.

For $99 dollars you will receive 6 free bottles of wine, free delievery of 12 bottles of wine to your Australian address, transit insurance for this wine to the value of $240, gourmet dining and food offers, a discovery cd and cellar door directory for your journey and a credit card sized smartcard that identifies you as a VIP guest.

Often you will be served by the winemaker and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the wines you are tasting.

As you turn off the Barrier Highway and approach Clare Valley from the south, you will first come to Auburn.

The town is the birthplace of C.J. Dennis, who penned The Sentimental Bloke, and the C.J. Dennis Festival is held in the town each year.

There are many historic bluestone buildings including the old railway station, now a cellar door outlet where you can have lunch at the weekend.

Next, take the side road to Mintaro.

Famous for its slate, the town once provided slate for many of the world's billiards tables and many of the town's buildings are made from the same stone.

The historic buildings are very well-preserved and there is a heritage walk around the town.

Just outside Mintaro is Martindale Hall, a magnificent Georgian-style mansion built by a local pastoralist for his bride who jilted him.

You might recognise it from the film "Picnic at Hanging Rock".

Watervale also has some historic buildings and you should be sure to see the Wine Museum at Quelltaler Estate.

At Sevenhill is the district's oldest winery, Sevenhill Cellars, established in 1851 by the Jesuits anxious to maintain a supply of sacramental wine.

You can wander through the monastery buildings including the crypt if you so wish.

The town of Clare is the administrative centre for the region.

The Old Clareville Museum pays tribute to the area's agricultural and viticultural heritage, while the Old Police Station Museum reflects the human aspect through a collection of furniture, clothing and other personal items.

Wolta Wolta homestead, built in 1846, was badly damaged in the 1983 bushfires, but it has been restored and is open to the public on Sundays.

A great way to see the Clare Valley is to walk or cycle the aforementioned Riesling Trail, which hugs the route of the former railway line between Auburn and Clare.

It passes close to many of the area's cellar doors and through vineyards and agricultural land.

As you spend time in this lovely area, don't forget to sample the local gourmet products, including olive oil and handmade pickles and preserves, made from locally grown produce.

There are many fine cafes and restaurants in the area, some at cellar door locations, which highlight fresh, locally grown produce on their menus.

The Clare Valley is certainly worth a visit……………enjoy,

John.

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