Chardonnay May 2022

The Adelaide Hills Wine Region is renowned for the high quality of its Chardonnay wines and during May, wine lovers can immerse themselves in all things Chardonnay with vertical tastings, indulgent long lunches, and a let-your-hair-down Chardy party.

Some cellar doors will celebrate by holding special Chardonnay tastings every day throughout the month.

One event not to miss is ‘Adelaide Hills Chardonnay Heroes’ on Friday 6 May at the Stirling Hotel - a masterclass tasting of trophy-winning Chardonnays hosted by the entertaining and indomitable wine writer Nick Ryan.

Things really heat up during the 10 days from Friday 20 to Sunday 29 May 2022, with most of the cellar door events focused on the two weekends with a wide range of incredible tasting experiences. Prices range from $10 to $200 per person so there is something for everyone from the developing explorer to the true connoisseur.

If a relaxed weekend lunch matched to fine Chardonnays is on the wish-list, choose between K1’s Autumn Asian banquet; Ladies who Lunch at Barristers Block; the Gold & Delicious degustation at Pike & Joyce; or Simon Tolley’s Long Lunch. Dinner is not out of the question either: there’s Synergy at Anderson Hill or the Rocket Launch at Murdoch Hill.

For sparkling lovers, discover Blanc de Blanc – the sparkling white wine made soley from Chardonnay. Lighten yourself at Lobethal Road’s Sparkling Sunday Brunch, or experience Effervescence across two venues: Golding and Croser at Petaluma, matched to tasty morsels.

Fashionistas! Dress in white to get into Picnic en Blanc at Cobbs Hill Estate, or dig out your 1980’s shoulder pads and go wild at Anderson Hill’s Ultimate 80s Chardy Party. Or avoid dress codes and booking entirely at Lot 100’s May Day pop-up wine bar.

For those seeking depth, some wineries have drawn prized back vintages from their cellars with special museum releases and vertical tastings on offer including Petaluma, Howard’s Vineyard, Ashton Hills, Lofty Valley Estate and Tappanappa.

Finally, to understand what makes Adelaide Hills’ Chardonnay so unique, explore beyond the Hills with a comparative tasting. Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard’s Chardon-Nation showcases Adelaide Hills among Australian regions while Shaw+Smith benchmark their best Chardonnay against international examples.

Chardonnay May runs from 20-29 May 2022. Details of events and bookings are available on the Adelaide Hills Wine Region website.