South Australia (Barossa Valley)

• Bethany Wines, Bethany Rd, Bethany. A hillside winery set in an old quarry, with views over Bethany village; five generations of the Schrapel family have grown grapes here. The ports are worth trying, especially the unusual white variety. Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm.
• Charles Melton, Krondorf Rd, Tanunda. Small, friendly winery concentrating on a limited range of full-bodied reds that sell out fast. Informal tasting area in a wooden shed, where you sit at a long wooden table, with the door open to the vineyards and a friendly dog at your feet. Daily 11am–5pm.
• Chateau Yaldara Estate, Gomersal Rd, Lyndoch. The ruins of a nineteenth-century flour mill have been transformed into a Baroque-style chateau. Tours (daily 10.15am, 10.45am, 1.15pm, 2.15pm & 3.15pm; $3) focus on the chateau’s antiques collection. European-style wines, specializing in sweet and sparkling whites. Mon–Fri 8.30am–5pm, Sat 9am–5pm.
• Grant Burge Wines, Barossa Valley Way, Jacob’s Creek. Small, quality winery, established in 1988 to process wine from the area’s oldest vineyards. Daily 10am–5pm.
• Henschke, Moculta Rd, Keyneton, southeast of Angaston. Fifth-generation wine makers, the Henschke family’s wines have won many international prizes. In a peaceful setting off the beaten track where you’ll need to ring the bell to rouse the amiable staff and start tasting. Mon–Fri 9am–4.30pm, Sat 9am–noon.
• Krondorf Wines, Krondorf Rd, Tanunda. Revamped 1860s winery and vineyard, with a reputation for the quality and integrity of its mostly white wines. Daily 10am–5pm.
• Langmeil Winery, Langmeil Rd, near Tanunda. This was the original Langmeil village, built in the 1840s; the little vineyard you can see from the tasting area was planted in 1846. Prints of nineteenth-century photos on the walls document the local wine industry. With a slow and thoughtful approach to tasting and a small range (three reds, three whites and a tawny port), you really get to know the wines; the very peppery Grenache is definitely worth trying. Daily 11am–5pm.
• Peter Lehmann, Para Rd, near Tanunda. Another pleasant spot for a bit of tasting in a homestead with vine-entwined verandahs surrounded by flowerbeds, gum trees and palms, overlooking a lawn leading down to the Para River; you’re welcome to picnic here. A local figure, Lehmann is as much known for his red wines as his art collection. The wine labels feature South Australian artists, whose original paintings are on display. Mon–Fri 9.30am–5pm, Sat & Sun 10.30am–4pm.
• Rockford Wines, Krondorf Rd, Tanunda. No-nonsense approach and big unfussy wines using grapes by wine maker Robert O’Callahan, produced by old-fashioned techniques; good Grenache and Basket Press Shiraz, and an amazing fizzy Black Shiraz at around $37 a bottle. Tasting in an 1850s stone barn. Mon–Sat 11am–5pm.
• St Hallets Winery, Krondorf Rd, Tanunda. Medium-size quality producer. Its star wine is Old Block Shiraz, sourced from vines eighty to a hundred years old, with an intense flavour and a velvety softness. Daily 10am–5pm.
• Veritas, Langmeil Rd, near Tanunda. Established in the 1950s and known for its Hungarian-style wines, this is a family operation; they control the whole process, from crushing, fermenting and bottling, to labelling, tastings and sales in an unpretentious shed. A good place to come during harvest, around April. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat & Sun 11am–5pm.
• Yalumba Wines, Eden Valley Rd, Angaston. Largest and oldest family-operated Barossa winery, established in 1849. Lovely building and gardens. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 10am–5pm, Sun noon–5pm.