Love Travelling Blog

Clare Valley

The Clare Valley is a picturesque wine region located two hours north of Adelaide known for its rolling hills, historic towns and world class Riesling. Alongside the wineries, the valley offers heritage architecture, scenic walking trails and charming villages.

Martindale Hall

We began our day with a morning self-guided tour of Martindale Hall, one of the region’s most iconic historic buildings. Once owned by the Mortlock family whose legacy is well documented in the Adelaide Library which we visited earlier in our stay.  Stepping into this grand Georgian-style mansion felt like a step back in time.

As we wandered through the stately rooms, it was easy to imagine the lives once lived there as the building revealed stories of wealth, ambition and rural South Australian history. The self-guided tour allowed us to explore at our own pace, lingering in rooms as long as we wished to soak up the elegance of the property. Standard admission AUD $20 (£9.92). Martindale Hall

Mintaro Village

From Martindale Hall, we made our way to Mintaro Village, a charming, historic village that has been beautifully preserved. A short stroll along the main street took us past stone cottages, heritage buildings and the quaint village store.

We then continued on to the nearby lookout point where views stretched across the surrounding countryside. The weather wasn’t at its best but nonetheless the golden farmland and rolling hills still looked beautiful.

Pauletts Winery and lunch at Bush deVine Winery Restaurant

Our afternoon was devoted to Pauletts Winery and it quickly became a highlight of the day. We were treated to a personal tour of the production site by the owner Matt, which gave us a wonderful insight into the winemaking process, the family philosophy and the care and huge effort that goes into every bottle of their wine.

Following the tour, we enjoyed lunch on the terrace of the Bush deVine Restaurant, where vineyard views set the tone for a truly indulgent experience. Tastings began with a crisp sparkling Riesling, perfectly suited to the warm afternoon.

We were then presented with a beautifully designed tasting board featuring five wines, each paired with a canapé. The board itself was a talking point as it was cleverly designed with corkscrew motifs that wedged each wine glass securely in place.

The wine and food pairings were thoughtfully matched showcasing Pauletts’ range. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we were then offered mouth-watering desserts, followed by cups of coffee to round off our delicious lunch.

Before leaving, we couldn’t resist taking a bottle of their Grenache home with us, a perfect souvenir of a memorable afternoon. Pauletts Wines

Where We Stayed: Clare Country Club

Our Clare Valley experience was complemented by our stay at the Clare Country Club. Set among natural bushland and open spaces, it offered us a peaceful retreat after a day of exploring. Comfortable accommodation, relaxed surroundings and with easy access to the region’s attractions made it an ideal base for our visit.

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We were guests of Tourism Clare Valley, Pauletts Winery and Martindale House and as always all views and opinions are entirely my own.