3-day gourmet road trip on the Epicurean Way

Embark on a three-day culinary adventure through four of Australia's premier wine regions. The famous Epicurean Way seamlessly links the four iconic wine regions of the McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Clare Valley, making for a unique road trip of sumptuous local produce, delicious wines, and spectacular scenery.

Day 1: Exploring McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills

• Drive time: about 1 hour to McLaren Vale and about 1 hour to Adelaide Hills 
• Distance: 40 kilometres (25 miles) to McLaren Vale and 62 kilometres (38.5 miles) to Adelaide Hills 

Start your South Australian food and wine experience with a short journey to McLaren Vale from Adelaide. Stop by one (or a handful) of the 70 cellar doors in the area, such as Gemtree, d'Arenberg, Coriole, Wirra Wirra and Hugh Hamilton, to enjoy delicious wines and fresh local produce including olives, cheeses and handcrafted beer and cider.

In the afternoon, drive to the picturesque Adelaide Hills, a region well known for its cool-climate wines and boutique wineries; Hahndorf Hill Winery, The Lane, Shaw+Smith, Bird in Hand and Golding Wines won’t disappoint.

Stay overnight: Adelaide Hills 

Day 2: Adelaide Hills to Barossa Valley

• Drive time: about 1 hour
• Distance: 50 kilometres (31 miles)

For your second day on this gourmet road trip, head from Adelaide Hills to the Barossa Valley. Meet local winemakers, take a vineyard tour at Jacob’s Creek, try the port from your birth year at Seppeltsfield Winery, or sip an ale at one of the craft breweries. Several vineyards in the Barossa Valley offer visitors the opportunity to blend their own wine, making for a special souvenir to take home and savour.

Taste the region’s stunning produce at restaurants such as Appellation, fermentAsian, Hentley Farm and St Hugo, or try a regional gourmet platter including local cheeses at one of the many cellar doors. Don’t miss Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, a foodie haven that showcases the Barossa’s most famous produce. Is your mouth watering yet?

Stay overnight: Barossa Valley

Day 3: Barossa Valley to Clare Valley 

• Drive time: about 1 hour
• Distance: 100 kilometres (62 miles)

Your last day on the Epicurean Way takes you from the Barossa Valley to the delightful Clare Valley. Hire bicycles and ride along part of the 35-kilometre (22-mile) Riesling Trail, stopping for wine tastings along the way.

Explore the area by visiting the region’s galleries and studio wineries, gardens, historical buildings, and townships. There are many excellent dining options including winery restaurants that blend the best of local wine and produce, Skillogalee, Slate Restaurant and Seed Winehouse + Kitchen being perfect examples. To end your gourmet adventure, head back to Adelaide, or if your taste buds want more, why not stay overnight in the Clare Valley.