Considerably cooler than the surrounding plains, the hills are washed in rain during winter months, and the peaks wrapped in fog. It is considered a high rainfall region compared to other Australian regions, but outside of winter the climate is warm and dry. Night time temperatures are the feature - notably cooler than the day when the sun sets. Worth noting is how the average rainfall increases the higher you go, with Mount Lofty picking up 1400mm on the old splash-o-meter compared to 850mm just 10K down the road in Charleston. This range of moisture and altitudes results in a variety of soils, but in general are sand and clay loam over clay subsoils. A bit of shale and ironstone can be found, and the soil is acidic on average and rarely acidic.

The combination of climate and soil lends to superb cool-weather whites like Riesling (if you watch for mould), Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and crisp Chardonnays. Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon can also be found, with the grapes maturing

Region: Adelaide Hills
Proprieter: Andrew Nugent
Winemaker: Andrew Nugent
Established: 1997
Address:
Bird in Hand & Pfeiffer Roads
Woodside
South Australia, 5244

The Bird in Hand Winery was established when Andrew Nugent moved deeper into the Adelaide Hills and planted vineyards on Bird in Hand Road, Woodside. The grapes are grown in the mineral rich soils above the 1879 “Bird in Hand” gold mine. The property includes 100 acres of vineyards & olive grove, cellar door, wine & olive production facilities and the picturesque family residence. A second family property is in the Clare Valley. The Bird in Hand brand began in 1997 when viticulturalist and winemaker Andrew Nugent left Tatachilla and planted the family vineyard on Bird in Hand Road Woodside in the Adelaide Hills.

The grapes developed and with the introduction of Bird in Hand wine, the