Eat, drink, shop
For breakfast and coffee DIVINE CAFE 39 Church Street, Penola (08) 8737 2122
This friendly establishment in the heart of Penola serves filling fare to prepare you for a day of tasting. Try spicy beans with labne and spinach on Turkish toast or choose the signature full breakfast. Daily counter goodies such as brownies are a must-try and the gourmet dog treats make great gifts.
For lunch
UPSTAIRS AT HOLLICK 11 Racecourse Road, Penola hollick.com
There’s no such thing as a light lunch at this eatery above Hollick’s cellar door. Choose the Feed Me menu for a selection of flavour-packed dishes delivered with flair. Head chef Justin Williams’ menu centres on quality local produce, such as Adelaide Hills venison served with blackberry foam, butternut pumpkin purée, roasted beets and chocolate shavings. Wine matchings are, of course, spot on.
For dinner PIPERS OF PENOLA 58 Riddoch Street, Penola pipersofpenola.com.au
Husband and wife team Simon and Erika Bowen run a tight ship at this unpretentious fine-diner. Housed in a converted church, Pipers sources much of its produce and wine from the surrounding area. They also have a smoker out the back, making Shepherds Lane label bacon and adding delicious complexity to menu items such as “Thousand Guineas” eye fillet served with smoked potato.
For taking home KOONARA WINES 44 Church Street, Penola koonara.com
Part cellar door, part one-stop shop, Koonara encourages you to taste its organic wines as you browse the homewares, gifts, jewellery, clothing and gourmet treats. The concept is “everything you need for a good dinner party”, such as Rouge Vintner glassware designed by the winery’s director Dru Reschke.