Private Wine Tours
in South Australia
A private wine tour with Small Batch isn't a bigger version of our shared tours — it's a different day entirely. Your own vehicle, your own professional wine guide for the day, and an itinerary built around what you actually drink and want to experience on tour. This is the best way for an enthusiast wine lover to see the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale or Adelaide Hills properly, and take away much more than a few cute pics.
Choose your region
Three regions, one hour or less from Adelaide
Barossa Valley
60 minutes north
Australia's most famous Shiraz country, and the best region for old vineyards and heritage producers.
See Barossa Valley private tours →
McLaren Vale
45 minutes south
Coastal, relaxed, and increasingly the region serious wine people talk about first.
See McLaren Vale private tours →
Adelaide Hills
30 minutes east
Cool-climate whites and sparkling, and the best region to visit on a hot Summer's day.
See Adelaide Hills private tours →What's actually included
Everything below is included. Nothing is added on the day.
Every private day comes with the same standard, whichever region or tier you choose:
- Your own vehicle and driver-guide — not shared, not a shuttle between group stops, a comfortable Mercedes vehicle and personal guide.
- A local wine professional as your guide, not just a driver or someone reciting facts off a laminated card. The Small Batch Wine Tours team lives and breathes wine and has spent cumulative decades across the wine industry. Our guides have been sommeliers, worked in international wine sales, worked in winemaking, curate collections, completed international wine qualifications like WSET, and travel the world for wine.
- An itinerary built around what you actually drink. Before you arrive, we'll ask you about what's already in your own collection or what you order at a restaurant, places you'd like to visit or avoid, what you're hoping to achieve, and the day gets built from that. Even if you're unsure, our standard itinerary has the room to bend and flex to cater to all types, so we can show you a range of different wines and understand more about what you like and why you like it.
- Cellar doors that don't take group bookings at all. Part of what a private day buys is access — small, family-run producers who simply won't open the door for a coach or a ten-person shared tour, but will for one private party. Premium wineries, premium selections.
- A proper sit-down restaurant lunch at one of the region's most well-regarded restaurants — not a share platter of picnic items.
- All tasting, tour, and lunch fees included. No decisions, no lining up at the cashier, no splitting bills or figuring out what and when. Just sit back, relax, and let us take care of everything.
- Door-to-door pickup and drop-off from your Adelaide hotel, or your own accommodation if you're staying in the Barossa or Adelaide Hills.
Nothing on this list is an add-on. It's the standard for every private day we run.
Private vs shared — the actual difference, not the price
Which tour is right for you?
Small Batch runs both shared and private wine tours, and neither is the "upsell" version of the other — they're built for different customers. Our shared tours are a genuinely great way to get an overview of the region, and to see three boutique wineries with a small group of strangers who turn out to be good company. Private tours are for when you don't want to share the day or the wine list with anyone else, opting instead for a day built and guided entirely around you.
| Shared (small-group) | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Itinerary | A set route, three wineries, decided in advance | Built completely around your preferences and wishlist |
| Group | Up to 6 guests, shared with other travellers | Just your travelling party, with no one else |
| Vehicle | Shared Mercedes vehicle | Your own private vehicle |
| Guide's attention | Split across the group | Entirely yours for the whole day |
| Wines tasted | Generally the standard range, with a sprinkling of extras | More premium selections |
| Personalisation | Limited, caters to the group dynamic | Absolutely, all the way |
The honest version: if you want an easy, sociable, well-run day and don't mind sharing it, the shared tour is a genuinely good way to do that. Our groups are small enough that we can access great food, premium wineries, and interact properly with our guests. If you want the day shaped only around your interests, direct and uncompromised access to your guide, or prefer a more premium selection of wines — that's what a private day buys you.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should we book?
For popular dates — especially over the Australian peak season (October through April) — book as early as you can once your South Australia dates are set. Especially if you are looking at the more exclusive experiences, availability with our suppliers often disappears months in advance.
What if our plans change after we book?
More than 48 hours before departure, you're entitled to a full refund. If you book and need to change dates, tell us early on to avoid disappointment.
Is it really just the two of us, or shared with other travellers?
On a private tour, it's genuinely just your own party — no other travellers join you. That's the entire difference between this and our shared tours. We observe other private tour companies where the guide shadows guests the entire day, sitting down to lunch, hanging around at the wineries — we think that's a bit odd. We treat you like adults and give you the space you deserve.
We don't know much about wine — will we feel out of place?
Not at all! We love to help our less experienced guests understand more about the process, the industry, and to guide them through an experience that helps them understand what they like, what they don't like, and why. Most private guests aren't collectors or experts — they're people who enjoy wine and want a good day out. The tour is built around what you enjoy, not a test of what you know.
How do we pay, and in what currency?
All prices are in Australian dollars, GST included, and payment is due at the time of booking — by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB) or bank transfer. We don't charge a card surcharge, though your own bank may apply a small international-transaction fee.
Do we need to tip?
It's not expected at all, but genuinely appreciated if you feel your guide made the day extra special. There's no set amount or custom to worry about — it's entirely your call.
What time is pickup?
We collect you from your Adelaide hotel, typically around 9:15am, or 10:00am for Barossa starts. You'll want a real breakfast before going wine tasting all day, but remember — lunch is a proper sit-down meal included in the tour. Go easy on the buffet.
What if it's extremely hot or there's a heatwave?
From January through March, it's not uncommon for temperatures to be in the 40s (over 100F for our American friends). We'll avoid being in the sun, pick tasting rooms that are indoors, and all our vehicles are properly air conditioned. On rare days where conditions genuinely aren't safe or workable, we may reschedule or offer a full refund — that's a judgement call we make, not an automatic trigger at a set temperature.
