A Night in Sydney
For my first night, I checked into The Langham Sydney, a beautifully appointed hotel tucked into the heart of the city. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. I only had a short stay, but the location was perfect. A quick stroll took me right to the Sydney Opera House, where I soaked in views of the harbor.
Off to Adelaide
The next morning, I boarded a short flight to Adelaide, where the true purpose of my trip began — a wine-focused group tour hosted by Brecon Estate, one of my favorite wineries. Although I was traveling solo, I was warmly welcomed by about 20 fellow wine lovers, which made the experience feel like a traveling wine club.
We stayed at The Crafers Hotel, a cozy inn in the Adelaide Hills. My room was spacious, inviting, and the perfect retreat after long days of tasting some of South Australia’s finest wines.
Day 1: Barossa Valley
Our wine adventure kicked off in the Barossa Valley with a visit to Seppeltsfield, one of the largest and oldest wineries in the Southern Hemisphere. Touring their historic barrel room was like stepping into a wine lover’s time capsule. The highlight? Tasting a 100-year-old tawny port—rich, deep, and unforgettable. They also offer tastings of “birth year” port and some are even available for purchase, as long as they’re more than 40 years old.
Next, we visited Poonawatta, a boutique winery run by a passionate husband-and-wife duo. They rolled out the red carpet with a lineup of 13 wines! I had my first-ever sparkling Shiraz, a uniquely Australian specialty.
Day 2: McLaren Vale
We headed to McLaren Vale, starting with the eccentric and artistic D’Arenberg Cube. Part modern art museum, part winery, with an “Alternate Realities Museum” and views that stretch for miles. Their wines are biodynamically farmed, which means they’re made with holistic, sustainable practices. One standout was the “Three Young Blondes”— a bright white blend of Roussanne, Viognier, and Marsanne, perfect for a warm day.
Next stop: Maxwell Wines for a multi-course degustation lunch paired with their exquisite wines. Every plate was like a miniature artwork, and the wine pairings were perfect. A lovely surprise: I tried mead (fermented honey wine) for the first time. The winemaker even came out to greet us—an extra personal touch that made the experience memorable.
Day 3: Penfolds Magill Estate
This was the winery that inspired me to book the tour: Penfolds Magill Estate, a name synonymous with Australian wine excellence. Just a short drive from our hotel, we toured the historic grounds—including the original home of founder Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfold. The tasting room was elegant and full of history, adorned with awards that explain why Penfolds Grange is one of the most coveted wines globally.
We wrapped up the trip with a leisurely lunch at Fino Vino in downtown Adelaide. One wine that stood out was the Scintilla Dayspring Blanc 2023 Chardonnay described by the waiter as having notes of “flintiness” or a “struck match”—something I’d never heard before but surprisingly loved. During lunch, we also enjoyed some familiar Brecon wines, like the Forty-Two and their Petite Shiraz.
To see more pictures of this Australian adventure, follow me on Instagram: Cabernet Companion.
I spent a total of 8 days in South Australia. Days 4-8 coming soon!