The Adelaide Hills

The Adelaide Hills is a premier cool climate wine region producing premium, distinctive Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Merlot in an area of stunning scenery which we source for a small number of our wines. The region stretches in a narrow band some 70km long from the south of the Barossa Valley, bypassing Adelaide to the northern edge of Clarendon then continuing in a easterly arch along the hill top above Kangarilla and continuing south along the Willunga hill tops to finally finish south of the Kuitpo Forest region up above Sellicks Beach which is also McLaren Vales southern boundary.

Climate: 
Regardless of the diversity of the region the climate can be generally described as a high rainfall region in during winter with summer being generally cool- warm and dry. Average daytime and in particular evening temperatures are considerably cooler which is ideal for the varieties d’Arenberg sources for the Hills. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir we source come from some of the highest and coolest parts of the region.

Soils: 
A mixture of sandy loams, loams and clay loams over clay subsoils that vary in structure, although it is not unusual to find these soils combined with shale and ironstone. Soil depth is also variable due to topography which can range from steep slopes to undulating hills, resulting in shallow stony soils on the the top of hills and deeper loams/ clays at the bottom of hills.
The variation in topography and hence soil type can affect vine growth and contributes greatly to wine style. Low lying areas with heavy soils provide potential for greater vigour, whereas higher well drained stony soil allow better vigour control, both of which can be utilised depending on the variety and wine style required. 

Growers:
The Osborn family as yet doesn’t own any vineyards in the Adelaide Hills region but we purchase on average 280 tonnes of fruit which is mainly Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Merlot and Pinot Noir.