Mintaro Clare Valley

Established in the 1850's, Mintaro, just like all other area which was built in this era, delivers shelter and services to the crew which were taking copper from Burra to Port Wakefield. The township's historic relevance was recognized in 1984 when they were handed a State Heritage listings. Majority of the lone architecture which you can drop in on and where you can stay are listed on the State Heritage Register.

Mintaro is also the place of the well-liked Mintaro slate quarry that is still operating until today since 1859. They generate top slate for pool tables all over the globe.

It takes an pleasurable hour and a half hour drive on the northern side of Adelaide to get to Mintaro. All who arrive in Mintaro are treated really well.

You can do a lot while you are in Mintaro. Listed below are some of the great variety of things you can enjoy when you are visiting this splendid town.

First, you can go walking around Mintaro and spend your time watching well looked after buildings dated from a couple of centuries ago, the amazing landscapes, the streets and to examine how slate was used all over town.

Clare Valley is a home for 30 wine makers which you can explore. You can drop on in these wineries, be introduced to the winemaker, experience the taste of some red or white wine and buy some of these fine wines. Wineries like Reilly's and Mintaro Wines is a great place to visit.

You can also eat and drink in their elegant restaurants like: SWANS (newly renovated building that present meals from morning til night), Mintaro Mews (Where you can have gourmet meals) and Magpie and Stump Hotel.

A visit with the 19th century Georgian mansion Martindale Hall which was made famous in the movie "Picnic at Hanging Rock" is for sure an encounter you will never forget. It is open for you to visit every day 7 days a week.

Next on your list is the top rated designer's own garden, the Timandra Gardens. This is open to public daily from 10am-5pm. You can book for an appointment for guided tours that focus on water efficiency and more. This is also nice picnic site for lovers and families.

Little things to do like viewing shops such as Mintaro Maze, cycling around the place or riding The Reisling Trail should also be in your list.

For the best accommodation in Clare Valley, you can book your stay in some heritage listed accommodation like Mintaro Hideaway (1856 carpenter's residence), Millers House (established around 1859), Mintaro Country Cottages (a restored settlers cottages) and many more.

If you are looking for an unusual yet interesting place to spend your holiday, Mintaro will be a great escape for you. All the information about the accommodation in Clare Valley is always available online.

Clare Valley Grapes

Varieties of Grapes Cultivated in Clare Valley

Vineyards in Clare Valley is one of the attractions in South Australia. It is 120 km north of Adelaide. Its wineries have cultivated the region’s passion in growing grapes hence making viniculture and wineries as major Clare Valley attraction.

Clare Valley is a perfect area for growing grapes for of its moderate climate and distinctive geography. Its climate is indicated by hot summers and cold winters. Its soil consists of the substances demanded by the grape. Furthermore, its valleys and hills ranging from 300 to 1000 meters are favorable to the vineyards.There are four popular variants of grapes grown in Clare Valley namely the Riesling, Chardonnay, Semillon and Shiraz.

Chardonnay is a green grape that yields white wine. It's the type of grape that is very flexible because the taste of its fruit is very much reliant on how it is cultivated. Furthermore, the taste of its wine identifies how it is made- if it’s thru oak or malolactic fermentation. In terms of food and wine pairing, Chardonnay is perfect with white meat, smoked fish and hot Asian delicacies. Its origin can be traced from France and it was then introduced to Australia in 1832 by James Busby.

Shiraz also known as Syra is the world’s most produced grape. Shiraz's beginning is in Persia, which then produced and widely grown in France. It was brought to South Australia in 1839 by a Scotsman regarded as the Father of Australian wine industry - James Buby. Shiraz has a thick blackish purple skin. It makes dry red table wines. It generally survives in hotter places since it needs heat to ripen .The wine of this grape is highly alcoholic, perfumed, and could be described as spicy rather than fruity. It is identified to be combined with other wines such as a bit of Viognier, equal blending of Chardonnay, and a small blending of Grenache and Mourvèdre. Shiraz wine is a perfect coordinate for red meats such as ham, wild boar, beef, rack of lamb and roasted venison. It is also ideal with rice, pasta dish, cheese and dry-heated root vegetables.

Another variation of grape that produces white wine is Riesling.It is defined by its white and red skin. It's the kind of grape that is best when harvested late popularly termed as “noble rot”. It produces three flavors of wines -the dry wine, semi sweet and sweet. The three flavors are characterized by its harvesting stage. As documented, its history can be tracked from Germany and spread throughout the regions of North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. It is presented in Australia by in 1840 by John Ainsworth Horrocks. Presently, Clare Valley Riesling has become the best Riesling wine maker in the world.

There is also a grape type called Semillon, a kind of grape that has golden skin producing white wines. Its history couldn’t be tracked however it is widespread France and Australia. It started in Australia in 1800. The fruit is vigorous and easy to cultivate. While Riesling and Chardonnay are highly acidic, Semillon happens to be the reverse. Just like Shiraz, Semillon wine is often blended with other wines such as sweet flavors of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. This is perfect for seafoods, chicken, turkey, vegetable lasagna , seafoods and cheese.

The enurated types are just few of the grapes that are cultivated in the region.There are also other types such pinot noir, grenache, merlot and cabernet franc but they're not widely grown in the region. There are a total of 51 vineyards located in Clare Valley. The vineyards cover 11,000 acres of the place. These vineyards favored their Clare Valley accommodation thus allowing winery as the heart of Clare Valley attraction.

Museums in Clare Valley

There are numerous historical places around Clare Valley and that incorporate museums. The museums are all over Clare Valley, one can find museums within the North, East, West and South. These historical places draw travelers renting Clare Valley Accommodation simply to experience the history of the town through its housed historic collectibles.

In the very north of Clare Valley lies the city of Terowie that is established by John Aver Mitchell in 1877. It's 200 km to the north of Adelaide. It became significant for the state since it provided a massive railway station since 1989. Terowie is a place of historical buildings built around 1870’s. One can see Terowie Pioneer Gallery and Museums that is consist of three museums known as Blacksmith Museum, Women's Work and Down Main Street Museum. These museums highlight old portraits of earliest families within the place along with the images of events within the town.

Clare Valley includes a historical place that idealized rural life that is Burra. It is situated in the eastern side of Clare Valley and 156 km north of Adelaide. It’s a place for copper that credited the area as the leading copper mine in 1851. The mining company was eventually shut down and the settlers resort to farming. There are three museums in the town namely Market Square Museum, Malowen Lowarth Museum and Morphetts Enginehouse Museum. Market Street Museum is established in 1966 by National Trust. The Museum is partly a house, a post office and a store to Andrew Wade during 1880s. One can see ancient belongings in the aged architected house from furniture, down to clothing. In Kingston Street of Burra, one will find Malowen Lowarth Museum. The Museum houses artifacts, flora and fauna of 1860s. In the place where the mine was constructed lies Morphetts Enginehouse Museum. It highlight the beam which was used during the mining days. The engine doesn’t loss its historical significance eventhough it was restored in 1986. Apart from Cornish beam, mined copper including malachite and azurite, scale model of jinker and mining artifacts are also displayed in the museum.

Clare Valley is known to be the town where vineyard started. That exact place is located in Sevenhill that is the west of Clare Valley and 129 km north of Adelaide. Sevenhill got St. Stanislaus Kostka, the first Polish church that was built in 1871. It turned out non-operational for 21 years and renewed in 1971 as a school and a church. By 1988, it had been declared as Polish Hill River Church Museum. The museum houses the memories of Polish settlers by generations and the tragic memories of 2nd World War.

The town that is recognized for being burned down during Ash Wednesday of the year 1983 is called Clare. It's located eastern side of Clare Valley, just right above Sevenhill. Clare is 136 km going north from Adelaide. It's discovered in 1839 by a pastoralist and explorer named John Horrocks. Clare has Old Police Station Museum. It was built in 1850 and located in the middle of hill to protect the far off place of Clare. The area operated as a hospital. The station was instituted as as Museum in 1969 showing the old recollections of Clare.

Within the northeast of Adelaide is the town of Balaklava that is 92 km away from Adelaide. There were only a few people settling the place, in the beginning. It’s the sole town with less number of inhabitants among Clare Valley Accommodation. Balaklava became populated when farming was developed. There are two museums within the town namely Urlwin Park Agricultural Museum and Balaklava Museum Centenary Hall. Farming has become a part in the lives of the people in the place thus Urlwin Park Agricultural Museum was established. The museum displays ancient farming materials such as tractors, tillage and engines. Balaklava Museum Centenary Hall was constructed in 1878 firstly, as a church, lodges, schools and kindergart. At present, it houses clothing, household items, medical equipments and collectibles.

Kapunda is South Australia’s major producer of copper. It is situated in the Southern part of Clare Valley and 80km north of Adelaide. Mining history was founded in 1842. Copper mining flourished in the country until 1877. By the time mining ceased operating, farming was announced. The only museum found in the town is Kapunda Histrical Society Museum. The two-storey building is a picturesque of Roman and Byzantine style of 12th century architecture. It was built in 1866 as a Baptist Church. Eventually, it turned into a museum, exhibiting things that show the earlier image of the town from oldest vehicles, and furniture.

Clare Valley Accommodation could be more remarkable if one will care to visit one of the museums within the place. Furthermore, it could be much easier to drop by to any of these museums since it can be found anywhere within the place.