The Clare Valley
Home of beautiful landscapes and elegantly refined wines
Blending tradition with innovation
Since the 1840s, when pioneers first planted vines in this fertile valley, our region has quietly cultivated a legacy of excellence. While renowned for our crisp, citrus-laced Rieslings, the valley also produces exceptional Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon - together comprising nearly 80% of our wine production.
Our community of passionate winemakers and growers blends tradition with innovation, crafting wines that reflect the unique character of our region.
From boutique cellar doors to family-run vineyards, each bottle tells a story of dedication, resilience, and a deep connection to the land.
Visiting the Clare Valley is more than a journey through picturesque landscapes; it's an invitation to experience the warmth of our community, the richness of our heritage, and the exquisite flavours that define our wines.
A winemaking story built on a much older one
For thousands of years, the Ngadjuri people cared for and connected with the valley’s hills, waterways, and soils.
European settlers began establishing vineyards here from the 1840's, with early plantings by John Horrocks in Penwortham, the Hawker brothers at Bungaree, and Clare founder Edmund Gleeson at Inchiquin. Soon after, Austrian Jesuit priests arrived in Sevenhill to build a monastery, planting vineyards and then in 1852, constructing the region’s first winery to produce their sacramental wine.
Over generations, local families and pioneering winemakers refined their craft, establishing the Clare Valley’s reputation for expressive, yet elegant fine wines.
Today, this rich heritage is carried forward by multi-generation producers, and innovative new voices; each contributing to a vibrant winemaking culture shaped by tradition, respect, and a deep connection to place.
The Screwcap Revolution
It was the winemakers of the Clare Valley, keen to retain the freshness and vitality of their Riesling, who drove Australia’s screw cap revolution. The first trials were instigated in the 1970s by Yalumba, and in 2000, Clare Valley winemakers banded together to champion the Stelvin screw cap closure.
Consumers liked the consistency and freshness of the screw cap-sealed wines, and the design set the standard that virtually all screw caps follow today. Now it’s rare to find an Australian Riesling bottled under cork.
With its long tradition of innovation, cornerstone of classic producers and a new era of boundary-pushing winemakers, Clare Valley’s reputation for quality and consistency looks set to continue.
