clare valley

Wonderful Australian wines from higher elevations. Located in the northern Mt. Lofty Ranges, the Clare Valley in South Australia was settled in the late 1830s. The first vineyards were planted in the early 1840s. The same characteristics that make the valley naturally beautiful are also the basis for Clare’s famous vineyards.

The climate is characterized by a warm to hot summer, but cooling afternoon breezes play an important role in slowing the ripening process. Some of Australia’s best wines from the Riesling grape variety are grown in the Clare Valley, and the region also produces many other styles of wine, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

With a number of classic, traditional producers and a new era of winemakers eager to throw out the rulebook and try a new approach, the Clare Valley’s reputation for quality and consistency should continue.