Value in the Hills: stars of South Australia

For a region still exploring its strengths, there’s modesty among Adelaide Hills producers – which means there’s also value in many of their wines.

For example, Bird in Hand’s Syrah 2018 – not to be confused with the Shiraz – is available in the UK at below £18. The full range of wines is available through a UK-based Bird in Hand online shop, and there is some distribution in the US. And Shaw & Smith (in the US and via Liberty Wines in the UK) offers incredible value in its Sauvignon Blanc, M3 Chardonnay and Shiraz – each from less than £25.

Sadly, there’s no presence in either the UK or the US for Simon Tolley, Saint & Scholar, Tomich Wines or Chain of Ponds winemaker Greg Clack’s private label XO Wines Co. These exciting new faces are building a reputation in Australia by creating wines that punch far above their weight for the price.

Several brands producing many tiers of wines offer superb quality at their entry level – especially Sidewood Estate (imported into the UK by Davy’s) and winemaker Elena Brooks’ Dandelion Vineyards (Liberty Wines). Both brands are also well represented in the US.

There are some impressive young guns garnering much media attention Down Under, yet their wines remain a solid step down the pricing ladder from established brands earning equivalent judges’ points. For instance, Murdoch Hill’s Pinot Noir 2020 can be found for less than £25 in the UK (via Graft Wine Co); the awarded winery also has a presence in the US.

Beyond the classic grapes, Mediterranean varieties are priced to entice wine lovers to take a punt on unfamiliar wine styles – yet many of these are emerging superstars in the Adelaide Hills.

The esoteric collection from Unico Zelo (imported into the US and by Berkmann Wine Cellars in the UK) offers great-value rewards, and here’s hoping the wines from La Linea, Artwine and the sweeping range of Geoff Hardy’s K1 and Hand Crafted brands soon find deserved shelf space outside Australia, too.