Spring in the Clare and Barossa Valleys

Spring in South Australia’s Mid North is a season of pure magic, and there is no better time to explore the Clare and Barossa Valleys with Valley Wine Tours.

The countryside is bursting with colour. Rolling fields of canola paint the hillsides a bright yellow, while paddocks of wheat and barley stretch dark green to the horizon. The vineyards are waking up too, with tiny buds beginning to appear on the vines, a quiet promise of the vintage to come. In every direction, the view looks like it belongs in New Zealand or Ireland, yet it is right here in our backyard.

Closer to the towns, gardens are beginning to bloom. Wisterias drape themselves in purple along verandas, and the air feels fresh and alive. Out in the paddocks, doe kangaroos are proudly showing off their joeys, who are just as curious about visitors as we are about them. It is a time of renewal and energy, and the Clare and Barossa Valleys seem to shine their brightest.

Spring also brings something special to the cellar doors. New vintage wines are beginning to make their quiet entrance, ready for tasting alongside the classics that have built these regions’ reputations. Fires are still lit on cooler days, so you can enjoy a glass of Clare Valley Riesling or Barossa Shiraz in warm comfort while the countryside blossoms outside.

For lovers of Riesling, there is an extra reason to visit in spring. Jeffrey Grosset’s famous cellar door in Auburn is open during Spring (and briefly again in Autumn), and never on Mondays or Tuesdays. Jeffrey Grosset is often called the father of Clare Valley Riesling and is known as the driving force behind Australia’s widespread adoption of the screwcap. Meeting him, tasting his wines, and hearing his insights is a rare chance for wine enthusiasts, and it is something best enjoyed on a Valley Wine Tour. If you want to secure a visit, you will need to plan ahead, tours book quickly, and spring is your only opportunity to taste Polish Hill Riesling.

Life in the Mid North at this time of year is bliss. With the Clare Valley and the Barossa Valley at their freshest and most colourful, every day feels like a postcard waiting to be captured. Join Valley Wine Tours this spring and experience not just the wines, but the stories, landscapes, and seasonal moments that make South Australia’s wine country unforgettable.