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Adelaide, ” the city of churches” is surrounded by wine country. The hills district, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale, Clare & Barossa Valleys, are 30 to 90 minutes drive from the CBD, but what if these wine regions were to come to you? We’re pleased to say, at Urban Wine Walk they do!

Urban Wine Walk is the brainchild of Josh Starick, Director of Neighbourhood Events Co. Having experienced many food and wine festivals across the globe, Josh saw the potential in introducing small batch and contemporary winemakers to CBD venues. In doing so, punters receive a double whammy, exploring funky city establishments while indulging in fine wine and fare.

Registration, glass and wristband collection is encouraged the day before in order to maximise valuable tasting time on the day. The journey begins at 12:00 continuing until 17:00. With wristband on, glass and map in hand, begin your self-guided walking tour at any of the participating venues.

There are 16 in total so pop your skates on, getting to all is a challenge. Thankfully there’s a complimentary hop-on-hop-off shuttle bus making it to all stops every 30 minutes.

With 5 hours of tastings, sustenance is required. Check your vouchers to save at your matching venue. From cheese boards to Paella, each venue offers a plate of the day.

Now all you need to focus on is imbibing in noteworthy wines from many of Adelaide’s wine growing regions.

At The Bibliotheca Bar & Book Exchange (1/27 Gresham Street) meet Mark Reginato of Connective Vines, distributor for Shobbrook Wines and mate of Tom Shobbrook, the wine-maker. His hours spent enjoying Shobbrook Wines are evident in the extensive knowledge Mark shares.

With Shobbrook on the wine list at World’s Best Restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, and featured on Rene Redzepi’s Noma list, Shobbrook Wines are a must for your cellar.

The multi award-winning, Electra House (131 King William Street) provides the perfect space for the explosive flavours of Chaffey Bros Wine Co. The brothers-in-law are “reinventing the great styles of the Barossa”; Reisling, Grenache and Syrah. Minimal intervention and early picked fruit are the cornerstones of their wine-making method. Try the Funkelpunkt Sparkling Point to taste this in action. A Reisling dominated sparkling that will surprise and delight.

Wander through the exposed brick interior of Udaberri (11-13 Leigh Street) to the back “garden” and order the Urban Wine Walk’s dish of the day, Pork Rillette served with spicy-sweet Guindilla peppers. Note to self – return after 4-pm through the week or 6-pm on weekends for the pintxos menu.

Self-confessed “professional loiterer”, Justin Lane of Big Easy Radio is Udaberri’s featured wine-maker. Outgrowing his Alpha Box & Dice brand, Big Easy Radio encapsulates Justin’s laid-back, straightforward approach to life.

A cellar-door is in the making at Aldinga, although it would be pertinent to contact Justin before making the journey, you never know where he may be loitering.

At the modern Australian wining and dining Publishers Hotel (110 Franklin Street), Gestalt Wines are easily recognised by Craig Turnbull’s fellow wine-making partner, Anthony Pearce’s monochromatic label designs. Fortunately for your taste buds, the designs are not the only attention-grabbing features of Gestalt Wines.

Lightly handled premium fruit is hand harvested from small-scale vineyards following organic practices. The fresh, intense, naturally fermented wines reward the palate from their Lenswood Gewürztraminer to their Blacklight Barossa Mataro Grenache.

Cantina Sociale (108 Sturt Street) provides a place for friends to enjoy excellent quality wine and snacks while solving the problems of the world. More interested in the wine’s complexities than the points awarded, Cantina Sociale pours wine directly from the barrel.

Winemaker, John Gilbert, returned from Italy to his cool climate Adelaide Hills vineyard with Montepulciano and Zinfandel for his eccentric By Jingo Wines.

Clearly, a lover of these varietals, his “mad scientist” approach and discerning palate have created perfectly suited wines for not only the cosy confines of Cantina Sociale but just about anywhere you feel inclined to partake in a glass.

Five O’Clock Somewhere (101 Gilbert Street) has been pulled together by a bunch of like-minded lovers of life and all things wine. The 50S Project, Loom SV, ess&cee and Soaring Kite are the featured brands and can be tasted and purchased daily on site until 8 pm.

A collaboration between winemakers, farmers, graphic designers and furniture makers, this eclectic locale is full of personality and personalities. Stop by when you’re next in Adelaide’s south-west corner.

To keep up with news of upcoming Urban Wine Walk events, follow their Facebook and Instagram accounts. Urban Wine Walk Melbourne hit the streets of Richmond last weekend but if you’re in Perth December 2nd, we hope you’ve secured your tickets.

Oh, and a little birdie told us a brand new Urban Wine Walk is planned for Sydney early 2018 so keep your eyes peeled for that.

Tasting excellent wines in magnificent venues while strolling city streets: it’s a thing we love….

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored article with complimentary offers. Regardless, all thoughts and opinions are our own. We will always bring you an honest, unbiased review.

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This article is featured in Travel Pass Magazine. Tune in to see aspirational travel articles from an International travel community.

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