Clare Valley Info
Introduction
The Clare Valley region of South Australia has to be one of the most charming and culturally-rich parts of the country, something that is more than amply attested to by the flocks of visitors that come each year to get a little taste of its heritage and its fine wines. The Clare Valley, which runs north-south in the central part of South Australia, about 120 kilometers north of the capital, Adelaide, is one of the principal wine regions in Australia, and is unrivaled in its production of the Riesling variety of grape in particular, though the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Shiraz are also well represented. The valley is inhabited to kind, hard working and humble rural folk with a strong sense of tradition and a lot of hospitality and kindness in their hearts, making it a perfect destination for people looking for an authentic slice of this island, as opposed to ritzy beach resorts catering to foreigners and willing to do anything for more business.
The climate in Clare Valley is very pleasant, much more so than in most parts of Australia, where the heat is simply unbearable. Here, the slight elevation has the effect of giving a nicer cool down in the evenings—a detail which also bodes well for the grapes being grown in the many vineyards, as it allows for them to mature more evenly and steadily, resulting in better wines in the end.
Visiting Clare Valley
Getting to the area is quite simple, as there is a main highway connecting it with Adelaide at only an hour and a half's drive away. Within the valley itself, there is a principal thoroughfare that runs up and down the length of the valley, the Main North Road. Many people rent a car in Adelaide in order to be able to spend several days touring the wine circuit, though other people choose to partake in guided tours offered by local companies with transportation included, whereas still others choose to hire a bike and get a little bit of a workout as they make their way through this pristine region. In fact, there is a particularly popular route called the Riesling Trail, of 27 kilometers in length, that is exclusively meant for bicyclists and walkers only, taking them from one magnificent Riesling producer to another. In fact, there are several splendid trails to be seen, taking visitors through the gently sloping hills, along the peaceful shoreline, and through the various heritage spots that make the valley so unique and special.
Common activities in Clare Valley—other than sipping a good wine, which seems to be done by everybody practically all the time—include getting to know the local art scene, which is flourishing, as well as playing a couple of rounds of golf, as the natural landscape of the valley has sculpted some of the world's most elegant courses. Other than that, many choose to acquaint themselves with the historic homesteads and unique architectural gems that dot the area, bearing all the proud tradition of the English and Irish settlers that helped launch this area toward future sustainability and success.
History of Clare Valley
This austral stretch of Australia is the home of some of the country's deepest and proudest agricultural traditions, with the wineries themselves stretching back all the way to the 1840s when the first English and Irish settlers built their homes and sowed the first seeds of a long line of proud harvests. Most other parts of Australia did not begin their wine production until well into the 20th century, but not Clare Valley. Of all the many great wineries, the oldest and one of the most famous is Sevenhill Cellars, dating back to 1851, and a very worthy destination to visit not only for the delicious taste of the products but also for the aesthetic value of the construction itself. Many homesteads and other heritage spots make up the living fabric of this areas history and tradition, which the locals put on proud display year after year to attract and amaze newcomers. To get a fairly comprehensive run through of these great qualities of the valley, buy the Burra Heritage Passport and Museum Pass, which will give you access to several locked heritage sites and explain in detail many of the surprising details of this part of Australia's curious and interesting legacy.