Adel Aide & South AuStr Ali ACLAREVALLEYAdel Aide & South AuStr Ali ASIGHTSAdel Aide & South AuStr Ali AMINTAROup the Historic Mintaro pamphlet around
the valley.
1 ̈Sights
Martindale ̈Hall ̈ HISTORICBUILDING
(%08-88439088;www �martindalehall�com; 1Ma-
nooraRd; adult/child$10/2�50; h11am-4pmMon-
Fri, noon-4pmSat &Sun) Martindale Hall is an
astonishing 1880 manor 3km from Mintaro.
Built for young pastoralist Edmund Bow-
man Jnr, who subsequently partied away
the family fortune (OK, so drought and
plummeting wool prices played a part...
but it was mostly the partying), the manor
features original furnishings, a magnificent
blackwood staircase, Mintaro-slate billiard
table and an opulent, museum-like smok-
ing room. The hall starred as Appleyard
College in the 1975 Peter Weir film Picnic at
Hanging Rock. B&B and DB&B accommo-
dation packages allow you to spend a spooky
night here ($120 and $250 respectively).
Mirandaaa...
Mintaro ̈Maze ̈ MAZE
(www�mintaromaze�com; Jacka Rd; adult/child
$10/7;h10am-4pm Mon-Thu & schoolholidays)
Hedge your bets at Mintaro Maze as you try
to find your way into the middle and back
out again. There’s a cafe here too.4 ̈Sleeping ̈& ̈Eating
Reilly’s ̈ MODERNAUSTRALIAN$$
(%08-88439013; www �reillyswines�com �au; cnr Hill
St &LeasinghamRd; mains$16-28;h10am-4pm)
Reilly’s started life as a cobbler’s shop in- An organic vegie garden out the back
supplies the current restaurant, which is
decorated with local art and serves creative,
seasonal Mod Oz food (antipasto, rabbit ter-
rine, spanikopita). The owners also rent out
four gorgeous old stone cottages on Hill St
(doubles from $145).
Magpie ̈& ̈Stump ̈Hotel ̈ PUB $$
(%08-8843 9014; www �mintaro�sa �au/eateries;
Burra St; mains $12-26;hnoon-2pm Tue-Sun,
6-8pmMon-Sat) The old Magpie & Stump was
first licensed in 1851, and was a vital rehy-
dration point for the copper carriers trav-
elling between Burra and Port Wakefield.
Schnitzels and steaks, log fires, pool table,
Mintaro-slate floors and a sunny beer gar-
den out the front − the perfect pub?CLARE ̈VALLEY ̈WINERIESThe Clare Valley’s cool micro-climates (around rivers, creeks and gullies) noticeably
affect the wines, enabling local whites to be laid down for long periods and still be bril-
liant. The valley produces some of the world’s best riesling, plus grand semillon and
shiraz. Our favourite cellar doors:
Skillogalee (%08-88434311;www �skillogalee�com� au; TrevarrickRd, Sevenhill;h10am-
5pm) Skillogalee is a small family outfit known for its spicy shiraz, fabulous food and
top-notch riesling. Kick back with a long, lazy lunch on the verandah (mains $20 to $30;
book ahead).
Pikes (www�pikeswines�com� au;PolishHillRiverRd,Sevenhill;h10am-4pm) The industrious
Pike family set up shop in 1984, and have been producing show-stopping riesling ever
since (and shiraz, sangiovese, pinot grigio, viognier...). It also bottles up the zingy ‘Oak-
bank Pilsener’ if you’re parched.
Knappstein (www�knappstein�com� au;2PioneerAve, Clare;h9am-5pmMon-Fri,11am-5pm
Sat, 11am-4pmSun) Taking a minimal-intervention approach to wine making, Knappstein
has built quite a name for itself. Shiraz and riesling steal the show, but it also makes a
mighty fine semillon sauvignon blanc blend (and beer!).
Sevenhill ̈Cellars (%08-88434222;www �sevenhill�com� au;CollegeRd,Sevenhill;h9am-
5pmMon-Fri,10am-5pmSat&Sun) Want some religion with your drinking? This place was
established by Jesuits in 1851, making it the oldest winery in the Clare Valley (check out
the incredible 1866 St Aloysius Church). Oh, and the wine is fine too!
Taylors ̈Wines (www�taylorswines�com� au; TaylorsRd,Auburn;h9am-5pmMon-Fri,10am-
5pmSat,10am-4pmSun) Sure, it’s a massive nationwide operation with a heinous mock-
castle cellar door, but the wine here is fit for royalty (love the cab sav).