South Australia (SA) : A huge region, SA is home to 12 appellations and the big industry giants: Southcorp (Penfolds, Lindemans, Wynns), BRL Hardy (Hardys, Renmano, Leasingham), Mildara-Blass (Wolf Blass, Mildara, Black Opal), and Orlando-Wyndham, as well as many other important companies. Its huge vineyard tracts range across several climatic zones. Coonawarra The main grapes here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay. Making wine for over 100 years, one of Australia's most distinctive and well-defined appellations is a plain-looking strip of barely elevated vineyard on unique reddish limestone-based soils. The terra rosa, plus coolish southerly latitude (37 degrees) and maritime influences, combine to produce long-lived reds with amazing acidity, tension, depth, and distinctive flavour.

Padthaway is a newer region (since 1963) largely planted to chardonnay and sauvignon by the big companies. Limestone again is the soil subtext, and likely the reason the wines tend to show real finesse beneath ripe fruit notes. In this largely benign, flat, dry, irrigated region yields must be well controlled to concentrate flavours. There are virtually no wineries here, with fruit being trucked off for processing in Coonawarra, McLaren, and other places.
McLaren Vale - Langhorne Creek : The principal varieties are Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay. McLaren Vale is only 30 minutes from Adelaide and fighting encroaching suburbia. First planted at Chateau Reynella in 1838, it is one of the most well-established, diverse, and interesting Australian regions. Its warmer latitude (35 degrees) is tempered by a coastal climate and the varying altitude of its vineyards. Soil types vary too, depending on hill or vale location. It seems to grow all grapes well, but McLaren shiraz is among Australia's best, with bright, lush fruit and supple texture. Although headquarters for Hardys at Chateau Reynella, and now the source of grapes for many companies outside the region, McLaren Vale is full of good small, wineries like Seaview, Richard Hamilton, Coriole, Woodstock, Ryecroft, and Maglieri.

Adelaide Hills - Eden Valley : The principal wine types are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sparkling and Riesling Overlooks the city of Adelaide. Vineyards above 400 metres fall within the appellation. The northern edge melds with the high country of the warmer Eden Valley (34 degrees) east of Barossa, where small wineries like Mountadam, Pewsey Vale, and Henschke make great wines. Barossa Valley The main varieties are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillon. One hour's drive northeast of Adelaide, Barossa is home to Australia's largest concentration of wineries, including Penfolds, Wolf Blass, Orlando, Seppelt, and Yalumba. First planted by German settlers in the mid-19th century, it is a hot (34 degrees) and arid, irregularly contoured valley peppered with many old shiraz vineyards. Soils are mixed loam, clay, and sand, but overall rather infertile, which helps the non-irrigated vines produce a lot of Aussie classics.