LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION
Itinerary: A Grape Escape
If nothing appeals to you more than following your bouquet-detecting schnozz from one vineyard to another, you'll find that Australia's grape-nurturing soil is soaked with tasty drops. A stalwart of the country's internationally praised viticulture scene is SA's Barossa Valley, which is crowded with over 60 wineries and releases more bottled varieties than you can pop a cork at. The roll call of SA's worthy vine-covered bits continues to the north in the Riesling-proficient Clare Valley.
Another prominent wine-making region is the Hunter Valley in NSW, which is home to some of the country's biggest glass-clinking concerns, and with some outstanding Shiraz and Semillon varieties. Victoria's rustic Rutherglen district specialises in fortified wines like muscat, Tokay and port that owe a debt to its hot climate.
The Pipers River region in Tasmania releases many superb vintages that are characterised by their full, fruity flavours. WA is a huge state which contributes only a small percentage of the national wine output. Nevertheless, the Margaret River region in the southwest has dozens of cellar doors for you to knock on.
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