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Aerial view of Crabtree Watervale Wines estate, Clare Valley South Australia

Cellar door · Watervale SA

Visit us in
Clare Valley.

Crabtree Watervale Wines sits in the heart of Watervale — one of Australia's great wine villages, just steps from the Riesling Trail. Come and taste what this remarkable piece of land produces.

Hours
Open Daily
10:30am – 5:00pm
Address
4 North Terrace
Watervale SA 5452
From Adelaide
~1.5 hours
142km via Horrocks Hwy
Bookings
Groups 6+
Please call ahead

The cellar door experience

A tasting room unlike any other in Clare Valley.

Our cellar door sits inside a heritage-listed homestead built in 1849 — one of the oldest structures in the Clare Valley. The original stone walls, low timber ceilings, and views out over 11 hectares of estate vineyards create an atmosphere that no architect could design from scratch. It has to be earned over 175 years.

You'll taste across our full estate range — Riesling, Rosé, Semillon, Shiraz, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Shiraz, our fortified range and the trophy-winning Grand Muscat. Jason or Cristy will often be the one pouring, which means your questions get answered by the people who actually make the wine.

We're open seven days a week, no appointment needed for groups under six. Dogs welcome on the property. Kids welcome. Come as you are.

Heritage listed 1849 stone homestead cellar door at Crabtree Watervale Wines Wine tasting at Crabtree Wines cellar door Watervale Clare Valley
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Full estate tasting
Taste our complete range of whites, reds and fortified, including our renowned Grand Muscat.
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James Halliday 5-Star
Recognised as one of Australia's outstanding boutique wineries by Australia's foremost wine critic.
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Dog & family friendly
Bring the whole family. Dogs are welcome in the grounds. Kids love the vineyard.
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Heritage listed 1849
Taste wine in one of the oldest homesteads in the Clare Valley. History you can drink in.

What's on the tasting list

Estate-grown wines, every one of them.

White
Watervale Riesling
Classic Watervale style — pure lime juice, green apple and beautifully fresh acidity. The wine Clare Valley was born to make. Halliday's Mick Knappstein Trophy winner.
White
Hilltop Riesling
From our highest estate block. More restrained and mineral, built to age. A wine for the patient.
White
Semillon
Crisp and textural with citrus and herb characters. Rare in Clare Valley and worth seeking out.
Rosé
Estate Rosé
Pale, dry and elegant. Made from estate Grenache and Shiraz. Watervale's answer to Provence.
Red
Tempranillo
Spain's great grape finds a natural home in Clare's warm days and cool nights. Savoury, spiced and completely unique.
Red
Grenache Shiraz
Lush red fruit with Clare Valley Shiraz depth. A crowd-pleaser backed by real winemaking substance.
Red
Estate Shiraz
Traditionally styled Clare Valley Shiraz. Dark fruit, fine tannin, built for the cellar.
Red
Cabernet Sauvignon
Estate-grown at 400m elevation on red terra rossa. Cassis, cedar and classic Clare structure.
Fortified 🏆
Grand Muscat
Trophy winner — Best Fortified, Clare Valley 2022 and 2023. Rich, complex and unmistakably Crabtree. Our most awarded wine.
Visitors enjoying wine tasting at Crabtree Watervale Wines with vineyard views Clare Valley

"Come as you are. Leave with a case." — the Crabtree way.

The Riesling Trail

We're right on Australia's great wine trail.

The Riesling Trail is one of Australia's most celebrated cycling and walking tracks — a 33-kilometre converted railway corridor that winds through the heart of the Clare Valley, past vineyards, cellar doors and historic townships.

Crabtree Wines sits right in the village of Watervale, directly on the trail route. Whether you're cycling the full trail from Auburn to Barinia or just riding the 9km Auburn-to-Watervale stretch, we are the perfect stop. Lock up your bike, come in for a tasting, and we'll look after you.

The trail is mostly flat on a soft gravel surface, making it comfortable for all fitness levels. E-bike hire is available from several operators in the valley — we recommend booking ahead in peak season.

Crabtree tip: The best way to experience the trail is to hire an e-bike in Clare or Auburn, ride south to Watervale (arriving at us for a mid-morning tasting), continue to Leasingham for lunch, then ride back north in the afternoon. A full day, a beautiful day.
Cyclists on the Riesling Trail at Crabtree Watervale Wines, Watervale Clare Valley South Australia
33
kilometres total trail length
9km
Auburn to Watervale section
1994
First rail-trail conversion in SA
35+
Cellar doors in Clare Valley
Getting here by bike: Crabtree is located at 4 North Terrace, Watervale — a short ride from the main trail path. Look for our signage on entering the village. Bike parking available on the property.

Getting here

From Adelaide to Watervale.

Watervale is 142km north of Adelaide — a beautiful drive through the mid-north of South Australia. The road takes you through rolling hills, farmland and into one of the country's great wine landscapes.

Jason Cane winemaker at Crabtree Watervale Wines Clare Valley South Australia
🚗 By car
From Adelaide CBD: Take the Northern Connector north, then follow Horrocks Highway (B82) to Watervale. Total distance approximately 142km, journey time 1 hour 30 minutes in normal traffic.

From Barossa Valley: Head north via Kapunda and Riverton. Approximately 90 minutes.

From the Flinders Ranges: Head south on Horrocks Highway through Clare. Approximately 2.5 hours from Wilpena Pound.
✈️ Fly into Adelaide
Adelaide Airport (ADL) is the closest major airport, with direct domestic flights from all Australian capital cities and direct international routes including Singapore, Dubai, Doha and — from late 2025 — San Francisco.

Car hire is available at the airport and strongly recommended — there are no hire car options in Clare Valley itself. Pre-book your vehicle before travel.

Airport to Watervale: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
🚌 By coach or tour
Yorke Peninsula Coaches operate services from Adelaide Central Bus Station to Clare three days per week. From Clare township, Watervale is 12km south — a taxi or rideshare for the final leg.

Wine tours are a popular option from Adelaide, with several operators running full-day guided Clare Valley experiences. Ask at the Adelaide Visitor Centre for current options.

Planning your visit

The best time to visit Clare Valley.

Spring
September – November
Canola fields turn the roadsides golden yellow. Vines burst with new growth. Mild temperatures and stunning colour make this the most photogenic time of year in the valley.
Best time to visit
Hand harvest at Crabtree Watervale Wines estate vineyard Clare Valley
Summer
December – February
Warm to hot days, but cool nights preserve the grapes. Vintage season begins in late summer — you may catch the team hand-picking in the vineyard.
Harvest season
Autumn
March – May
Vine leaves turn red and gold as the post-vintage calm settles over the valley. Warm days, cool evenings and the satisfaction of a vintage complete. Magnificent for cycling the trail.
Best time to visit
Winter vines at Crabtree Wines Watervale Clare Valley
Winter
June – August
Cold, quiet and deeply atmospheric. Bare vines against stone homesteads, fires lit at local pubs, and the cellar door all to yourself. Underrated by most, loved by those who know.
Hidden gem season

While you're in the valley

Make a day of it — Clare Valley has plenty to offer.

Vineyard walk and wine education at Crabtree Watervale Wines Clare Valley
Walking distance
Watervale village
One of Clare Valley's most charming villages, with the famous Riesling Trail passing through, a historic pub, general store and the original stone buildings that make Watervale a step back in time.
5 min drive
Leasingham
Home to several excellent cellar doors and an art gallery. A compact, charming stop on the Riesling Trail corridor with great wine, food and local character.
12 min drive
Clare township
The regional centre of the valley. Home to restaurants, cafes, accommodation, the Artisans of Clare produce store, silo art and the northern end of the Riesling Trail.
15 min drive
Sevenhill Cellars
Founded by Jesuit priests in 1851, Sevenhill is one of Australia's oldest wineries and a remarkable historical landmark. The Gothic stone church still holds mass. An essential Clare Valley stop.
20 min drive
Mintaro
A perfectly preserved heritage town that looks like it was lifted from the English countryside. Mintaro slate — the same stone used in our cellar door — was quarried here. Worth a detour.
30 min drive
Auburn
The southern gateway to Clare Valley. Home to Mount Horrocks Wines in the beautifully restored Auburn railway station — the southern starting point of the Riesling Trail.

Groups & private events

Got a group? We love that.

Whether it's a birthday weekend, a corporate group, a wine club outing or just a bunch of friends who love great wine — Crabtree is made for it. We can accommodate groups with advance notice and love making the experience memorable.

For groups of 6 or more, please call ahead so we can make sure we're ready for you. We've been known to open the winery doors for a private tasting surrounded by the tanks and barrels. Just ask.

Enquire about groups
Private group tasting and lunch at Crabtree Wines winery Clare Valley

Common questions

Frequently asked questions.

Do I need to book a tasting at Crabtree?
No booking is needed for individuals, couples or small groups of up to 5 people — just walk in during our opening hours. Groups of 6 or more are asked to call ahead so we can make sure we have everything ready for you. Our intimate cellar door fills up quickly on weekends.
Is there a tasting fee?
We offer tastings of our full current range (12+ wines) and the fee is waived upon purchase. Please contact us directly or ask when you arrive for current tasting arrangements — these may vary seasonally.
Can I bring my dog?
Absolutely. Crabtree is proudly dog-friendly. Dogs are welcome on the property and in our outdoor areas. Meet our resident winery dog — she runs quality control between the tanks and will probably come and say hello. Dog-friendly winery Crabtree Watervale Wines Clare Valley
Is Crabtree family-friendly with young children?
Completely. We're a family winery in every sense — our own young son Hugh is regularly running around the place. Children are very welcome. The vineyard surroundings make for a lovely environment for little ones.
How close is Crabtree to the Riesling Trail?
We are located right in Watervale village, which sits directly on the Riesling Trail route between Auburn (9km south) and Sevenhill. You can ride to our front door — bike parking is available on the property.
Can I buy wine at the cellar door?
Yes — and we encourage it. Our full estate range is available to purchase at cellar door. We can arrange packing for cyclists and will help organise freight or courier for larger purchases if you're travelling. We also have an online shop at crabtreewines.com.au with free shipping for wine club members.
What makes Watervale Riesling special?
Watervale is one of two sub-regions within Clare Valley that produce the finest Riesling in Australia — the other being Polish Hill River. The two sub-regions produce distinctly different styles. Watervale Riesling is defined by its classic lime juice character and beautifully fresh, vibrant acidity — bright, citrus-driven and immediately expressive. Polish Hill Riesling, by contrast, is tighter and more mineral, with the distinctive slate character the sub-region is famous for. Our estate sits at around 400 metres above sea level on red terra rossa over limestone — producing Riesling with that signature Watervale freshness and lime intensity. The vibrant acidity means our wines age magnificently for 10–20 years. It is, without question, one of the world's great Riesling sites.
Is there food available at the cellar door?
We focus on the wines rather than a full kitchen, but you won't go hungry. The Watervale Hotel is right here in the village — a stunning farm-to-table restaurant with a great local atmosphere, award winning drinks list and a la carte menu. For a broader dining experience, Clare township is just 12 minutes north with several excellent pubs and restaurants. Ask us for current recommendations when you visit.

Find us in Watervale.

We're easy to find — right in the heart of Watervale village on the main road through town. Look for the Crabtree signage and the historic stone homestead.

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4 North Terrace, Watervale SA 5452
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Open daily · 10:30am – 5:00pm
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Ample parking on site, including for long vehicles and bike trailers
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08 8843 0069 · Groups 6+ please call ahead
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cellardoor@crabtreewines.com

We'll see you in Watervale.

Whether you're cycling the Riesling Trail, road-tripping from Adelaide or making Clare Valley your weekend escape — Crabtree is open every day and we'd love to pour you something special.

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