South Australia’s Clare Valley Gourmet Week has long been a highlight on the food and wine calendar, but in 2025, a fresh new experience soared onto the scene: three exclusive Gourmet Bus Trails designed to elevate experience. Held across Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May, the Big Blue Sky Trail, Rolling Green Hills Trail, and Towering Red Gums Trail each offered a unique itinerary of food, wine, and immersive cellar door encounters.
We joined the Big Blue Sky Trail on Sunday 18 May, embarking on a full-day journey that took the guesswork—and the driving—out of gourmet exploration. With transport, tastings, and thoughtfully curated experiences all taken care of, this trail delivered a seamless and luxurious slice of Clare Valley hospitality.
Departing from Adelaide Central Bus Station just after sunrise and travelling 120 kilometres north of Adelaide to the Clare Valley wine region, the adventure unfolded across four standout venues, each offering something unforgettable—from hyper-local kangaroo tail to barrel tastings, dumpling feasts, and DJ-spun vineyard beats.
Here’s how the day played out, one delicious stop at a time.
Stop 1: Trailblazers Hub at The Watervale Hotel
First stop: the Trailblazers Hub at the award-winning Watervale Hotel, where guests were welcomed by a trio of trailblazing wineries—Crabtree, Kirrihill, and Gullyview Estate—alongside a unique dish from the hotel’s kitchen that set the tone for the indulgence to follow. Guests mingled with winemakers, discovering the secrets behind their vintages, making for a uniquely personal and immersive experience.
Executive Chef Nicola Palmer presented a boldly Australian creation: smoked kangaroo tail with provolone cheese, accented by a tomato and saltbush relish, farm kale, and tart pickled red love apples. Sourced entirely from the surrounding region—including the hotel’s own Penobscot Farm—this plate celebrated seasonal, local produce with finesse.
Stop 2: Claymore Wines
At Claymore Wines, indulgence took a rich and rustic turn. Guests gathered around open fires under the autumn sky, ready for a meal straight from the soul of Southern France: a bubbling pot of cassoulet.
This hearty dish featured confit duck, pork neck and belly, and tender haricot beans slow-cooked in a bouquet garni of cottage herbs—comfort food elevated by craftsmanship and care. It was a dish designed to warm the soul, matched by the warmth of the hospitality.
Wine lovers were treated to an exclusive barrel tasting of the 2024 Nirvana Reserve Shiraz, a sneak peek into a vintage that’s already showing serious promise. Rich, dark, and peppery, it paired beautifully with the depth of the cassoulet.
Stop 3: Vino & Dumpling Festival at O’Leary Walker
Next, the trail took a vibrant and flavour-packed detour at O’Leary Walker Wines, where they played host toVino & Dumpling Festival. Here, the scene was a festive fusion of house-made dumplings, museum wine tastings, and live music under the golden glow of the valley.
Guests feasted on dumplings bursting with bold, punchy flavours: chicken with chilli crisp, kung pao sauce, shallot crumble and coriander delivered a spicy, savoury kick, while Turkish cumin lamb paired with garlic yoghurt and umami oil brought a rich, aromatic depth with a Middle Eastern twist.
These bold bites were beautifully paired with wines spanning decades, including a 2002 and 2024 Riesling, and a 2001 and 2022 Shiraz. Sipping these vintages side by side offered a rare glimpse into how Clare’s terroir and winemaking evolve over time.
Stop 4: Vines & Vibes Festival at Taylors Wines
The final destination was all about relaxed luxury and good vibes. At Taylors Wines, the Vines & Vibes Festival brought together Mexican street food, premium tastings, handcrafted cocktails, and DJ beats to close out the day with style.
Taco Cartel served up mouthwatering tacos bursting with spice and colour, while wine lovers explored the nuanced Aromantiques Riesling range at the sleek Aromantiques Bar. For those chasing sparkle, the TWP & Sparkling Bar offered something crisp and celebratory.
DJ Leah Tait curated the perfect playlist of laid-back grooves and uplifting beats, ensuring the festival vibes lingered well into the evening.
With three thoughtfully curated Gourmet Bus Trails—Big Blue Sky, Rolling Green Hills, and Towering Red Gums—this year’s Clare Valley Gourmet Festival Weekend has set a new standard for immersive regional food and wine experiences. We were lucky enough to ride the Big Blue Sky Trail on Sunday 18 May, and it delivered a seamless blend of luxury, flavour, and unforgettable encounters with the people and produce that make this region shine.
But Clare Valley Gourmet Week isn’t over yet. Running until 25 May, there’s still time to sip, savour, and slow down in one of South Australia’s most picturesque wine regions.
From 19–23 May, the festival shifts into Breathe It In: a relaxed midweek celebration that invites you to embrace the authentic, everyday magic of Clare. Expect intimate wine masterclasses, winemaker-hosted dinners, paddock-to-plate experiences, art workshops, and other soul-soothing adventures.
Then, from 24–25 May, the valley transforms for Land of the Long Lunch: a final weekend dedicated to leisurely dining at its finest. Choose from a curated collection of long lunches hosted in charming restaurants, among the vines, or in unexpected, one-of-a-kind locations across the region.
Whether you’re a wine lover, food enthusiast, or simply someone looking to escape the city for a day of curated indulgence, the Gourmet Bus Trails are well worth following. Because when it comes to celebrating great food, world-class wine, and genuine country hospitality, Clare Valley Gourmet Week doesn’t just deliver; it pours with generosity.
A huge thank-you to Brand Warrior PR and the Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association for the amazing opportunity, and thank-you to each of the businesses and wineries mentioned above for their generous hospitality in hosting us for the day!
Clare Valley Gourmet Week
Location: Clare Valley Wine Region, South Australia
Dates: Friday 16 – Sunday 25 May 2025
The Adelaide Insider 