Wine regions - Eden Valley

Eden Valley   South Australia

Subregions:  
High Eden   

The Eden Valley is a region of rugged beauty. The cool climate provides ideal conditions for the production of high quality Riesling, Chardonnay and elegant red wine.

The Eden Valley is a cool climate region nestled between 400 and 600 metres in the Barossa Range, part of the Mount Lofty Range. It is actually not a valley but takes its name from the township of Eden Valley.

William Lillecrapp formed the town of Eden Valley in 1864 where he bought land from the South Australian Company and sub divided his land to form the township.  The first homestead built in Eden Valley was Rushlea Homestead, which is now Fernfield Wines Cellar Door and still owned and operated by the Lillecrapp family - 5th generation. 

The region has one sub-region, High Eden in the south. The main towns are Moculta, Keyneton, Eden Valley and Springton. It is rough, rocky country that belies its ability to produce wines of great delicacy and finesse. The star performer is Riesling with great attention also given to the production of Chardonnay and Shiraz.

The history of the region parallels that of the Barossa Valley which shares its eastern boundary with Eden Valley. Yalumba has substantial vineyard holdings, and a winery at Angaston, the site of the first vines planted by founder Samuel Smith in 1849. Henschke, well known for red and white table wines was another pioneer estate established at Keyneton in the late 1860s by Johann Christian Henschke. Those in the region who were able to follow consumer trends have emerged as the significant producers today. The return to table wines in the 1950s fostered a steady expansion in the region through the 80s and 90s.

Amongst the modern day pioneers was David Wynn of Coonawarra. He first planted Chardonnay on his property Mountadam in the area that is now registered as the High Eden Sub-region.

If you are in the Barossa, don't miss out on a visit to Eden Valley, for although it is primarily a vineyard region there are a good number of cellar doors.

Harvest time: mid to late April

High Eden Sub-region, South Australia

Being the highest point in Eden Valley, High Eden is also one of the coolest. Minerally, limey Riesling is one of the stars of this region.

The area was pioneered by Joseph Gilbert who established vineyards at Pewsey Vale, the highest point in the Eden Valley. This is fairly tough country to farm because of the hilly terrain and poor sandy soils The climate also brings challenges to viticulturalists dealing with high winds and low growing season rainfall. The key varieties grown are Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Harvest time: early to late April