Impressive as the staunch reds are, it's the lighter lunchtime wine, Steingarten Riesling, I like the most because it's perfect for drinking in the sun with the fresh fish we're eating. The wine is named for the stony ("stein") sliver of hillside on which the vines are grown (hence "garten").
After lunch, we meander back to the art deco Richmond Hotel, tucked up a narrow alleyway off the bustling Rundle Mall in Adelaide's CBD. It's an unlikely location for top accommodation, but our room is large, quiet and haven-like with its marble bathroom, king-sized bed, sofa and free movies. It also has the city's best shopping right outside the front door in Rundle St and the outstanding weekend markets in nearby Gouger St.
The following day, we eat at the market and forage amongst the local cheesemongers, coffee-roasters, tea specialists, and fresh produce stalls. The city feels like a welcome break after a week of changing beds every night while visiting wineries in the Adelaide Hills, an hour's drive south.
The hills are home to a string of quaint Germanic-style towns with high-pitched roofs, ancient-looking stone buildings and wide, tree-lined streets. Many of their names changed during World War II, but the prettiest - to my mind - retained its original moniker - Hahndorf. It's home to beautifully restored stone buildings, a couple of mouth-watering delicatessens and The Manna - a new motor lodge with its own spa and self-contained accommodation.
One of the most interesting places to eat in the Adelaide Hills is in the more modern town of Stirling. The night we're there, it is nearly as chilly as Stirling, Scotland, but we're here to enjoy the concept of local food, which adheres to the rule that all produce has to come from within a 60km radius.
It is part of a worldwide movement, whose philosophy is to make a "collaborative effort to build more locally based, self-reliant food economies", we read on our menus as we enjoy some of the best Australian pinot noirs I've ever tried, from Ashton Hills.
Now there are direct flights to Adelaide, this corner of the Australian wine industry is easily accessible, but it's the surrounding countryside - rather than the city itself - that makes the best break from daily routine.
CHECKLIST
Where to stay:
Hotel Richmond
128 Rundle Mall, Adelaide
Phone +61 8 8215 4444
One of Adelaide's best-kept secrets is a truly boutique hotel in the heart of the city (not that you'd ever pick it when walking through the busy Rundle Mall).
It's housed in a 1920s building that oozes its own deco charms. Quiet, as well as beautifully styled, guests have incredibly easy access by foot to shops, high-end department stores like Myer and David Jones, and good bars, restaurants and cafes.
The Manna
25 Main St, Hahndorf
Phone +61 8 8388 1000
Modern buildings are rare in this little slice of German settler-ville in the Adelaide Hills, but The Manna breaks the mould with its unobtrusive, modern, self-contained accommodation on Main St.
It slots right in behind the small courtyard fountain, is peaceful, extremely comfortable and has all the Wi-Fi anyone needs - as well as offering getaway spa facilities.
Top wineries to visit:
Jacob's Creek Winery
Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat, South Australia
It's home to some of Australia's earliest and oldest vines, planted in 1847 by Johann Gramp, on the banks of Jacob's Creek. There's a new visitor centre with a restaurant, tasting facilities and cellar door.
Peter Lehmann of the Barossa
Para Road, Tanunda, South Australia
Peter Lehmann Wines in Tanunda is best known for its red wines but thanks to the little-appreciated semillon grape, it is developing some drop-dead gorgeous whites, too. The cellar door is a friendly, easy going place to taste and buy wine. More details on wineries, accommodation and restaurants from the Barossa Visitor Information Centre, phone +61 8 8563 0000.
Getting there: Air New Zealand offers non-stop flights five times a week between Auckland and Adelaide.
Joelle Thomson flew to Adelaide with Air New Zealand.
