Clare Valley Wine Region

Introducing Clare Valley Wine Region

The Clare Valley is renowned for its intimate and predominantly family-owned wineries producing outstanding dry Riesling among other cool-climate wines. The valley stretches from Auburn in the south to Jamestown in the north, and its heartland is concentrated around Clare (population 2850). Between Clare and Auburn, the pretty village of Mintaro has an atmospheric pub and a couple of great restaurants.

The Clare visitor information centre (08-8842 2131; www.clarevalley.com.au; cnr Main North & Spring Gully Rds; 9am-5pm Mon-Sat, 11am-4pm Sun) is about 5km south of Clare. Bus information can be obtained from Phillip Basham Travel Service (08-8842 2575; 3 Ness St).

Clare boasts a number of interesting buildings, including the impressive St Michael’s church (Victoria Rd). The first police station and courthouse date from 1850 and are preserved as the National Trust of Australia Old Police Station Museum (08-8842 2376; cnr Victoria & Neagles Rock Rds; adult/child $2/50c; 10am-noon & 2-4pm Sat, Sun & school holidays).

You can walk or ride past some of the district’s finest wineries on the Riesling Trail, which meanders through the valley from Auburn to Clare. There are several artists’ galleries worth a peek as you pedal by.

Last updated: Aug 27, 2009