In the Clare Valley, row upon row of elegant vines sit beside untamed Australian bush and pristine farmland. With five separate and uniquely diverse sub-regions, the Clare Valley is an expanse of sweeping gullies and rolling hills.

The region is one of Australia’s oldest wine-producing areas, with a winemaking history dating back 150 years. The first vineyards were planted in the 1830s by European settlers, who built stone hewn structures and cottages alongside the vines. Today, there are more than 5,000 hectares under vine, and over 40 cellar door outlets.

Each season, the landscape of the region changes in colour and vista. From the golden red in autumn, the lush greenery in spring, and the morning mist in winter, the vineyards of the Clare Valley are a picturesque site.

Grapegrowers claim the unique combination of geography, geology and climate, results in terroir that is perfect for producing world-class wine. Warm days, coupled with cool nights during the growing season provide favourable conditions for most wine varieties grown in the region.

Click here to view list of wineries in the Clare Valley.

Regional Topography

A chance meeting between Andrew Pike (Director and Viticulturist at Pikes Wines) and Mick Roche (Director and Geologist at Stewardship Matters) in April 2012 led to a discussion on the need to tell the story of the geology of the Clare Valley and its relationship to the grape growing and wine industries.

Mick went away and prepared a project brief which he called the 'Clare Valley Rocks' project.

The two relevant organisations in the Clare Valley, namely the Clare Valley Winemakers Incorporated and the Clare Region Wine Grapegrowers Association, of which Andrew was a member of both, decided to pursue the feasibility of such a project and commissioned Stewardship Matters to undertake the study.

In September 2012, the two organisations decided to fund the four aspects of the Clare Valley Rocks Project:

1. Map and Brochure
2. Interpretive signage
3. Soil profile displays at participating wineries
4. Website

In May 2013, the project received financial support from the Australian Government under the Your Community Heritage program.

The Clare Valley Rocks Project was officially launched during the Clare Wine Show week at the end of October 2013.

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