Located in the world-renowned Adelaide Hills is a beautiful subregion – the Piccadilly Valley. Bordered by Summertown in the north and Alegate & Sterling in the south, the rather small subregion forms an important part of South Australia. It is located in the backdrop of Mount Lofty Ranges, thus offering its visitors a spell-bounding view. Amidst the natural charm of Piccadilly lie some of the oldest vineyards of Adelaide Hills, undoubtedly, producing the finest quality wines
Amazing Facts About the Piccadilly Valley
- Nestled amid the Mount Lofty Ranges, the Piccadilly Valley region is situated on one of the highest elevations in the country.
- In SA, it is known to be one of the coldest regions, replicating climatic conditions similar to the Champagne wine region in France.
- The valley comprises of terraced vineyards owing to the steep slopes. These conditions prohibit the use of mechanical harvesters and as a result, all the process is carried out manually!
The Terroir
The cool-climate Piccadilly wine region, witnesses different conditions than the neighbouring places (Being located on the highest point). Often enveloped by fog and clouds, the vineyards experience a low temperature throughout the year. However, the diurnal temperature (The difference between the highest and lowest temp. in a day) is consistent, thus making it predictable. A similar pattern prevails in the Champagne wine region of France, thus making the two alike.
The fruit undergoes a slow ripening period, resulting in wines that reveal rich and lingering flavours. The soil is a blend of alluvial clay and ancient sandstone, lending a high acidity level to the fruit along with mineral aromas and flavours.
Must-Try Wines
The small, cool-climate region is full of pleasant bottled-up surprises! Piccadilly Valley has earned a name in the industry as a world-class sparkling wines producer. Chard and Pinot Noir are the most-planted wine varieties in the region followed by Sauv Blanc and Pinot Meunier (Italian wine varieties popularly used in the production of Champagne). Recently, winemakers have also begun to produce the famous Rhône-style blend of Shiraz and Viognier, well-received by wine audience.
