Apart from a state-of-the-art wine museum, Adelaide boasts five wine regions within striking distance, making it a stunning holiday destination.

If Cabernet Sauvignon is your grape of choice, head towards Coonawarra, with its brick red soils and old vines. Staying at a refurbished workers’ cottage was a fantastic perk. We toured the vineyards during the day and star gazed after dinner – the restaurant conveniently placed opposite Pickers Cottage.

If you fancy Barossa and Clare Valley why not stay off the beaten track in an old mining town, Kapunda, and enjoy the Goodall’s hospitality at Peppertrees B&B. Perfectly placed between the two regions, it’s ideal for unwinding before dinner – with even a bottle of complimentary bubbly in the fridge!

Dining at the nearby Wheatsheaf Pub is so unusual that many drive miles to experience it. As well as outstanding food and wines, there are two love shacks available for total privacy, and crayons are provided to encourage budding artists. We ended the meal by a roaring fire, doodling away on our tablecloths while sipping a perfect “sticky”.

Pickers Hut Cottage: coonawarracottages.com.au
Red Fingers Cafe Bar & Grill, Memorial Drive, Coonawarra. Tel:(08)8736 3006
The Peppertrees B&B, 47 Clare Road, Kapunda. Tel:(08)8566 2776
Wheatsheaf Pub, Allendale North, via Kapunda. Tel:(08)8566 2198

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Australia's oldest family owned vineyard, and a place well worth a visit. Before visiting this mecca for the grape I didn't "get" wine, and more specifically the words used to describe wines by the likes of "TV's Oz Clarke". The staff insisted that we try everything on their extensive list, describing the wines as we went along... it was a bit of a Damascus moment for me and suddenly I could taste those red berries, peaches and all sorts of other flavours!

It was both a pleasure and an education, and well worth a visit... just make sure you aren't the designated driver!

Eden Valley Road
Angaston SA 5353
Australia

Tel: +61 8 8561 3200

www.yalumba.com

Google map: tinyurl.com/pawsbd

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McLaren Vale in the Adelaide Hills, just south of the city, generally seems to be considered the poor relation of the Barossa Valley to the north. It isn't. It is one of the prettiest and most charming wine growing regions you can visit, complete with ocean views and truly excellent wines. Coriole is a fine ambassador for McLaren Vale wineries and hosts many arts and culinary events throughout the year. Its reds are some of the best you can sup. The olive oil's pretty good too.

Coriole Winery, McLaren Vale, South Australia.
www.coriole.com/

Google map: tinyurl.com/nsfsvq

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The granddaddy of Australian wineries, a short drive from the centre of Adelaide to the suburbs. Tours and tastings at prices from reasonable to eye-watering. Fantastic Aussie Shiraz, a great fortified, and a delicious high-end restaurant with a panoramic view over the city.

www.penfolds.com/vineyards/adelaide.asp
Magill, Adelaide.

Google map: tinyurl.com/psdfmg

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In the misleadingly named area of Hackney (Adelaide's version is far more picturesque than London's well-worn suburb), the National Wine Centre of Australia is the best way to sample the fruit of the country's famous vineyards.

This tour isn't just for wine-buffs, and the interactive 'Wine Discovery Journey' takes you around the working vineyard on site, explains how wine is made, and ends with a trip to the 'wine tasting gallery', with bottles from all over Australia's winelands.

One if the highlights of the trip is a lazy lunch in the Concourse Cafe, with a plate of Australian Cheeses, and the wine shop is full of bottles to squeeze in your suitcase after a few samples.

National Wine Centre Of Australia.
Corner Botanic and Hackney Roads, Adelaide, SA 5000.
www.wineaustralia.com.au

Google map: tinyurl.com/n22kw8

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Adelaide is the '20 minute city' ... everything (almost) is 20 mins from the city centre.
It's now Jacaranda time (the purple blossom looks heavenly throughout November and early December, the sun is shining and Adelaide is getting into summer holiday mode.

Try the Central Market for fabulous food, atmosphere and Adelaidians doing their weekly shop - huge prawns and Oysters at less than 4 quid a dozen. Eat around the Globe in Gouger St or head to the East End (Rundle St) for interesting bars, cafes and shopping; King William Rd 3 mins via the tram from Victoria Sq for cafe society; Glenelg a 20 min tram ride for a great beach (with sand!) restaurants, marina and fun .... and if you can drag yourself away from the city try the nearest wine region to town .. McLaren Vale, home of some serious big Aussie Shirazs or the cooler climate Adelaide Hills for some scrummy white ... or try the Adelaide's home brewed beer ... Coopers Pale Ale.

And let's hope the English Cricket Team remind the Australians who invented the game .. if only to save me from having to listen to the jokes from my workmates! Enjoy

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About 60km from Adelaide, the Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s major wine-producing areas. It's home to big names like Jacob’s Creek, Penfolds and Wolf Blass as well as over 70 smaller producers. Most vineyards do cellar door wine tastings and some have really good bars and restaurants.

Tours to the Barossa run from Adelaide but it’s a good place to explore for a few days. You can base yourself in one of the towns amd hire a bike and cycle around the vineyards – maps are available from the local tourist information office, which can also book local B&Bs for you (often individual country cottages where you get left the food to cook your own breakfast).

www.barossa.com

Google map: tinyurl.com/kn2qfy

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Set on the edge of Adelaide's Botanic Gardens in a fantastic modern building, the National Wine Centre has info about wine production all over Australia. There are interactive exhibits where you can make your own 'virtual wine' as well as tastings from their huge range.

Corner of Botanic and Hackney Roads, Adelaide; tel: 08 8222 9222;
www.wineaustralia.com.au

Google map: tinyurl.com/n22kw8

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Cute 'boutique' winery in the Adelaide Hills. Not like some of the massive wineries that abound in South Australia - lovely vino and restaurant serving sunday lunches. I will be back.

www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au/

Google map: tinyurl.com/lmg88c

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