140km from Adelaide, the Clare Valley forms part of the northern Mount Lofty Ranges.  The soils are quite variable ranging from red and yellow podsolic soils found on the hillsides, to red brown soils on the valley floors which possess good water-holding capacity. There are also areas of deep black soil in which merlots are said to thrive. Subsoils also vary from clay through limestone to slate and shale type rock.

High altitude, southerly latitude and varying topographies mean that the climate of the Clare Valley is actually hard to define as it can be fairly paradoxical. Some areas of the Clare Valley show signs of being warm viticultural areas whilst others suggest that it is a cooler region. Quelltaler Winery sways towards the cooler end of the spectrum as highlighted by its ability to produce fine red wines and Rieslings.

The Clare Valley is an area of South Australia that is rich in heritage and culture. From the national parks, the old mining sites, the plentiful vineyards to the little art galleries that adorn region, there is something for all. As well as the events taking place at Annie' Lane, there are a number of regional events taking place throughout the year to give you all the more reason to come to the Clare Valley for a taste of Clare culture.

Fruit for the Annie's Lane Quelltaler wines is sourced from Watervale, a unique area within the Clare Valley. Selecting distinctive vineyard parcels and utilising traditional winemaking techniques has created a range of wines that are fine, elegant, and flavoursome.

Soils of the Clare Valley range from classic terra rossa red topsoil over limestone in the Watervale district to the broken slate of Polish Hill River. Typically the soils from most areas of the valley are free-draining and hold enough water to only require the smallest quantities of supplementary irrigation during the hottest months.