Little gems: Langhorne Creek

South Australia’s Langhorne Creek is a small, tight-knit community with a rich history of viticulture. Thanks to its proximity to Lake Alexandrina, the region has a cool, maritime climate, responsible for producing wines of boldness, depth and drinkability. The region dates back to 1850 when founder Frank Potts planted a little over 12 hectares of vineyards either side of the Bremer River. These days, the offering of wineries has grown substantially with a number of successful cellar doors producing a range of premium varietals – most notably, shiraz, malbec and cabernet sauvignon.

Explore the trail.

As the founding winery of Langhorne Creek, the Bleasdale cellar door has a notable atmosphere of history. Browse historic photographs and admire the remarkable Red Gum Press, built in 1892. Stay for a “Prestige Wine Flight” of premium Bleasdale wines or go behind the scenes of the winemaking process with the “Beyond the Cellar Door” tour.

Set among the vines, you’ll find the Bremerton cellar door housed in its historic, restored stone-barn. Stop by to experience a range of premium white and red varietals, a regionally inspired menu and view exhibitions by local artists. Enjoy a casual tasting or wine flight in the barn before lounging on the lawn with a pizza or a grazing platter while you take in the picturesque surrounds.

Recently awarded the 2020 South Australian Best of Wine Tourism Award for wineries with outstanding architecture and landscape, the Kimbolton cellar door combines industrial shipping containers with recycled timber to create an earthy, modern setting. Observe the stunning landscape from the viewing platform at the top of the stairs, and discover the seasonally adaptive wine and cheese flights on offer.

Lake Breeze is named after the cooling breeze that travels across the Langhorne Creek region from Lake Alexandrina, responsible for the region’s moderated climate. The historic cellar door dates back to 1930, with views over the winery’s 87 year-old vineyard, bordered by towering river red gums and roses. Settle in for a long lunch upstairs or outside on the terrace – or, enquire about Lake Breeze’s special small-batch varieties exclusive to the cellar door.