Head through Gawler (a good place to stop for a morning coffee) and take the Barossa Highway towards Lyndoch. Don't forget to give the kids a breather at the Whispering Wall on the way.

Make your first stop at Tanunda's St Hallett's winery — home to some fantastically priced red blends and an impressive line-up of big reds. It's probably my favourite winery in the region.

In the centre of Tanunda the ever changing Peter Lehmann's is the next stop. From there it's only a short drive to Nuriootpa, Penfolds and the heart of Australia's wine industry. If you are in a group it is worth calling ahead to organise a private tasting so you can get into some of their good stuff.

Now is probably a good time to mix some food with that wine, making Saltram Wines, with its excellent restaurant and strong line-up of well-priced reds the perfect place to be.

Energy revived, your next stop is Wolf Blass for its internationally famous range of colour-labelled reds.

For those in serious pursuit of red wine it's not far to another Australian landmark — Henschke, or if that's almost enough booze for the day, finish up sampling some of Australia's best fortified wines at the beautiful Seppelts Winery; call ahead to organise a private tour and tasting.

Some of the key Riesling producers to drop past include O'Leary Walker, Grosset (cellar door opens September 2010 and stays open until the wine runs out) , Mount Horrocks, Pikes and Petaluma. Clare's oldest winery Sevenhill Cellars, established by Jesuit's fleeing persecution in Europe, is also worth a visit.

First stop should be the visitor's centre at the entrance to the Vale, where staff can tell you about any events on that day. Then, for a warm-up, start right in the town centre at Hardy's Tintara, part of the huge BRL Hardy Group, and Tatachilla. Don't linger long, though, better things await.

To the north lies d'Arenberg , a good place for lunch, Coriole, the prettiest cellar door in the Vale, and host to a music festival May 1-2, and Chapel Hill, with its great wines and views.

Saving the best for last, on the road to Kangarilla is the aptly named Kangarilla Road Winery, which produces some amazing red blends. Further south on the 'McMurtie Mile' is the slightly eccentric Hugh Hamilton Wines with its dogs, oysters and black sheep merchandise. A stone's throw up the road is the ever popular, ever reliable Wirra Wirra, where you may see the staff launching watermelons into the vineyards from an immense wooden catapult. Finish the day at my favourite in the Vale; Pertaringa, a boutique winery with a fantastic range and possibly the best cleanskins in the country.