Gourmet Bits n’ Bites

Langhorne Creek Wine Region recently recognised excellence among its producers at the annual Langhorne Creek Wine Show.
The show benchmarks local wines against international standards and this year Bleasdale was named producer of the year, also claiming the titles of Champion Wine of Show for its Bleasdale Reed Patch 2025 Single Vineyard Malbec and Best Malbec for the same wine.
Bleasdale is one of the oldest wineries in Australia, dating back to 1850, when founder Frank Potts purchased the first section of Langhorne Creek after noticing the fertile floodplains when crossing the Bremer River.
He established the first Langhorne Creek winery a few years later.
A 30-minute drive from Mt Barker, Langhorne Creek is particularly well known for its reds, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
Other stand-out wines were the Bremerton 2025 Special Release Fiano, W Salter & Son 2025 Pepperjack Granache Rosé, Wolf Blass Wines 2024 Grey Label Langhorne Creek Cabernet Shiraz, Lake Breeze Wines 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon, Kimbolton 2021 The Rifleman Shiraz, Lake Breeze 2025 Nero D’avola, Lake Breeze Wines 2016 Arthur’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Terrachroma Wines 2025 Long Shot Greco.

There’s no need to travel the globe to find world-class dining – some of Australia’s most celebrated restaurants are right here in the Adelaide Hills.
Australia’s answer to Michelin Stars, the Chef Hat Awards are released every year by the Australian Good Food Guide and recognise exceptional chefs across Australia.
Restaurants are assessed by anonymous AGFG-appointed diners, with a focus on ingredients, taste, presentation, technique, value and consistency.
This year the list includes eight local restaurants, including Anvers Wines at Kangarilla, which was the first South Australian venue to debut on the list with a Three Hat score of 17. Bird in Hand’s LVN Restaurant was also given Three Hats, with a score of 17 – a jump from a score of 14 last year – while Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant at Crafers was awarded Three Hats with a score of 16.
Others to make the list included Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard at Lenswood, Ondeen at Verdun, the Lane Vineyard at Hahndorf, Pike & Joyce Restaurant at Lenswood and Thelma Piccadilly.
A score of 18 or 19 is considered superlative food and wine and worth a special journey, while a 16 or 17 is considered exceptional and worth a detour. A score of 20 is considered perfect and has never been awarded.