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Proud sponsors of the Australian String Quartet.... more info

A fantastic day had by all at “A Savvy Day Out” Black Thursday launch - see photos on our Facebook site!

James Halliday 2010 – Chain of Ponds *****Five star winery
2005 The Ledge Shiraz 93 points, 2005 Amadeus Cabernet Sauvignon 94 points, 2002 The Cachet 95 points, 2003 The Cachet 96 points - top in class! 2008 Black Thursday Sauvignon Blanc 90 points

Balcony Restaurant. Sunday Lunches. Click here for menu. Bookings essential

Cellar door specials
2007 Novello Rosso Rosé $8 bottle $42 6 pack

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Pilot Block – Export Label. Sauv blanc, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cab Sauv. $12.50ea (not the same wines as our domestic range but only just missing the cut). 20% off straight or mixed doz $120 ($10 bottle!)

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The business was established in 1985 when a small pilot block was planted at Gumeracha to test the suitability of different grape varieties in the then newly emerging cool climate Adelaide Hills wine region. The vines planted included Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc both of which have become signature wines of the Adelaide Hills, and a number of traditional Italian varieties including Pinot Grigio, Barbera, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo all of which were demonstrated to be ideally suited to the Adelaide Hills.

The winery takes its name from the township of Chain of Ponds which was established in 1864, on the banks of the River Torrens in the hills above Adelaide. The little town thrived until the 1970’s when it was razed to expand the adjacent Millbrook reservoir which now provides much of Adelaide’s water supply.

Winemaker Greg Clack (back to top)

Greg Clack, winemaker for Chain of Ponds has had a long lasting passion for food and wine which led to the beginning of his short yet fruitful career.

Greg started his career at Koppamurra Wines, a small boutique winery nestled in the Adelaide Hills, he worked closely with the winemaker, John Greenshields in all aspects of the winemaking process mainly producing full bodied limestone coast Reds, along with an Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc and Eden Valley Riesling.

In 2003 Greg started work at Haselgrove Wines under Winemaker Adrian Lockhart (Young Winemaker of the Year – 2001). Whilst at Haselgrove Greg honed his skills on the vast array of varieties and styles that were produced at the winery, learning many tips and techniques from Winemakers visiting the Site.

In 2005 Greg started working closely with ex Chain of Ponds Winemaker Neville Falkenberg. With such an experienced mentor Greg quickly became enlightened to the secrets of producing elegant and world class wines.

In 2007 Neville moved on to other pastures leaving the gate open for Greg to step up and continue Neville’s hard work in producing world class wines.

In 2008 Greg became a finalist in the Young Winemaker of the Year Awards.

In his short career Greg has earned the respect of his peers for his hard work and attention to quality. He is looking forward to continuing the quality and styles that Chain of Ponds are renowned for while putting a youthful spin on things!

Philosophy (back to top)

We source the best fruit from the best vineyards in the Adelaide Hills and take care and pride in making the quality wines with a difference. We continue to make traditional varietal wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon but we also use Greg's winemaking expertise to produce some fabulous and not so well know varieties such as a Sangiovese, Nebbiolo and Pinot Grigio.

Region/Climate/Soil (back to top)

The Region
The Adelaide Hills is arguably Australia's most vibrant premier cool climate wine region and is well known around the world for its distinctive premium wines, viticulture and stunning scenery.

It is located in the Mount Lofty Ranges just east of Adelaide, stretching in a narrow band some 70km long. The boundaries of the Adelaide Hills are registered with the Geographic Indications Committee with the highest vineyards sited at close to 600 metres altitude in areas such as Summertown, Piccadilly and Carey Gully.

Just a 20-minute drive from Adelaide can transport you to the Adelaide Hills Wine Region, offering the rare combination of proximity to a capital city with the feel of being a world away.

The Climate
Regardless of the diversity of the region the climate can be generally described as a high rainfall region in comparison to other Australian wine regions, however this rainfall is mainly during the winter months. The summer months are generally warm and dry compared to winter, however the average temperatures are considerably cooler than regions outside of the Adelaide Hills.

The Soil
The geography and climate of the AHWR has contributed to soils that are highly variable in structure and chemistry. However in general terms they can be described as a mixture of sandy loams, loams and clay loams over clay subsoils that vary in structure, although it is not unusual to find these soils combined with shale and ironstone. They are generally acidic and in some cases neutral in pH, but rarely alkaline.

Opening Hours (back to top)

Chain of Ponds Wines is open seven days a week for wine tasting including most Public Holidays. Opening hours are from 10.30am to 4.30pm.