WHY THE CLARE VALLEY?

The Clare Valley is one hour north of the Barossa Valley, it is all about kangaroos, vineyards, quirky characters, quality wines, and gourmet attractions. Like a smaller Barossa, one without the gigantic corporations. The small hamlets in the Clare Valley also add so much to your experience. Some of Australia's 'Ancient Vines' are found in the Clare Valley, with vines from Bordeaux cuttings in 1860 still producing grapes for wine in this phylloxera-free environment. The Australian wine industry has many links with the Clare Valley, like Brian Croser AO and Rob Geddes MW. Stay for a few days, unwind, book our tour, and be welcomed into the region.

Well planned tourists take chauffeured tour with us the day before they go bike-riding as it gives them a good local perspective (and we can take you to places the railway never went).  There are bike-rental places in the Clare Valley, call Kent at Riesling Trail Bike Hire, or Thomas at Scoot The Valley.

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Some Recent Questions we have Answered:

Q* Do you cover 'tasting fees'?
A* Most Cellar doors offer instructed wine tastings where you consume approximately one glass at each venue. Our wine tours are not restricted to the 'no-fee-winetasting' cellar doors where the Tour Company can claim to include it in your price. If you have no room to carry wine home, paying the tasting fee (usually $10) is your way to cover the costs for these small businesses. They waive the fees if you buy a bottle of wine, and many of our customers purchase a dozen bottles in each venue and the winery sends it anywhere in Australia.

Q* Can you take us to the Barossa Valley?

A* The simple answer is yes. Find your idyllic accommodation and book 3x nights. It's like being on a cruise ship where the next day is a different place for you to explore. You won't be the first guests who have booked a Clare Tour and a Barossa Tour for the following day. 

Q* In wine regions, are the local police lenient on drink drivers?

A* Definitely no. For International Visitors; be aware that in Australia you can be charged with DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) on any vehicle, including a bicycle or a horse. Australians can loose their driver's license without even driving a car, so keep under the limit, take a tour, and use taxis.

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You want to plan for two or three nights on your Clare Valley trip. One - to recover from your journey, Two - to spend your day with me on your Valley Wine Tour, and Three - to have a spare day for riding around or going to the Barossa for the day on another of our tours. Where can you stay? Try these links to places we often collect passengers from; Mulberry Cottage, Battunga Cottages, Neagles Retreat Villas, The Mill Apartments, the Riesling Trail and Clare Valley Cottages, the Clare Country Club, Sevenhill Cottages, O'Briens of Clare, or the Clare Valley Motel. 

For Caravanners there are a few options too; families love the Discovery Park near Clare, while a central location is the Clare Valley Caravan Park in Leasingham, and there is a Community Caravan Park in Auburn. Burra is a wonderful historical location, and the Burra Caravan Park (incorporating the historical Paxton Square Cottages) is very popular and we collect tour passengers from there too (no extra charge). There are more accommodation options, so if you have 'forever' to search, try these sites which most places (and all of the above) are listed with; Booking.com, and Airbnb. 

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Looking to plan your tour lunch or a venue for dinner? We get fantastic feedback about the local eateries from our guests:

The classic country Hotels are all terrific: the Clare Hotel, Bentleys, the Magpie & Stump, the Sevenhill, and the Rising Sun. Skillogalee is the original (Clare Valley) Restaurant-in-a-Winery and is now a South Australian institution. Terroir in Auburn is perfect for that romantic dinner, and Paulettes do the most fascinating things with Australian Bush Food. Pikes is simply a quality dining experience, Mr Mick serves lovely tapas-style lunches, Ragu & Co are providing authentic Italian food and charm, and The UppSide in Penwortham is a  venue for European cuisine. Of course the award-winning Indii is always brilliant. The list is longer than this simple paragraph. And if you want that perfect local bakery, the one with great coffee too, try the Little Red Grape.

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Have some fun and travel around some of South Australia's boutique wine country for the day.

Let's make those memories!