A vineyard in the Clare Valley (pic: S.A. Tourism Commission)

Penwortham
Tiny village surrounded by vineyards.
Located 123 km north of Adelaide, Penwortham is a tiny, inconsequential village in the heart of the Clare Valley which was founded by the famous South Australian explorer, John Ainsworth Horrocks.

John Horrocks' career as an explorer was all too short, a mere six years, before his death in a shooting accident.

Horrocks arrived in Adelaide on his birthday, 22 March 1839. One of his first contacts was with the explorer Edward John Eyre and, on Eyre's advice, he established a sheep station in the Hutt Valley near the present-day town of Clare.

Through a pastoralist, he began to explore the surrounding area over the next few years and was the first man to use camels for exploration. An impressive character with a commanding manner he was nicknamed 'the King of the North'. Mount Horrocks and Horrocks Pass are named after him. In July 1846 he left on an expedition to find fresh grazing land to the north. His party included the well-known artist S. T. Gill. At Lake Gill (later renamed Lake Dutton) Horrocks was accidentally wounded whilst unpacking a loaded gun. He was carried back to Penwortham where he died on 23 September 1846, aged only twenty-eight. He was buried in the churchyard of St Marks Church.

Things to see:  

Pearsons Vineyard, Clare Valley

Wineries in the Area
Penwortham Wines
Located in Government Road this small winery was established in 1985 with the cellar door sales opening in 1985. It specialises in red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, semillon, Verdelho and shiraz grapes. It is open five days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8843 4345.

Pearson Vineyards
Located on Main North Road in the heart of Penwortham this 2.7 hectare vineyard and winery was established in 1994 and specialises in red and white table wines and fortified wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, semillon, cabernet franc and Malbec grapes. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. The cellar door is 130 years old. For more details contact (08) 8843 4234.

Stringy Brae Wines
Located to the north-west of Penwortham this 6 hectare winery was established in 1993 and specialises in red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling and shiraz grapes. It is open on weekends for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8843 4313.

Autumn in the Clare Valley vineyards

Waninga Wines
Located on Hughes Park Road to the north-west of Penwortham this small winery was established in 1974 and specialises in red and white table wines and fortified wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, semillon, chenin blanc, shiraz and chardonnay grapes. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8843 4395.

Skillogalee Wines
Located on Hughes Park Road to the north-west of Penwortham this small winery was established in 1970 and specialises in red and white table wines, port, muscat and sparkling riesling derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, traminer, muscat, cabernet franc, malbec, shiraz and chardonnay grapes. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8843 4311.

Jeanneret Wines
Located on Jeanneret Road to the west of Penwortham this small winery was established in 1994 and specialises in premium red and white table wines and sparkling wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, muscat, semillon and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8843 4308.

Mitchell Wines
Located on Hughes Park Road to the west of Penwortham this small winery was established in 1975 and specialises in red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, Grenache and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8843 4258.

	Cottages & Cabins
	Penvale Cottage Horrocks Rd Penwortham SA 5453 Telephone: (08) 8843 4345
	Stringy Brae Cottages Penwortham SA 5453 Telephone: (08) 8843 4313 Email: stringy@capri.net.au
	Camping & Other
	Bryvon Homestay Horrocks Rd Penwortham SA 5453 Telephone: (08) 8843 4331