Sevenhill has a few claims to fame. Founded by Jesuits,it is the area's oldest winery and features some of the region's most elderly vines. Its grounds are remarkably beautiful. Plus,it is the only Australian vineyard to export altar wine.

Tours,appropriately enough,are taken by its vintage winemaker,Brother John May,an 80-year-old study in oenological expertise,religious humility (his duties include tending crypts containing the vineyards'previous winemakers) and mischievous quipping.

"This is the'Spirit Store',"he says,walking past a locked door."The'Holy Spirit Store',as we like to call it."

Pedalling away east through tall eucalyptus trees along a stony,winding track,we rejoin the trail,which runs the length of the Clare Valley through farms,woods and embankments,following what used to be the local railway line.

We head south,past the boutique,red-wine-producing Pearson Vineyard in the history drenched village of Penwortham.

From there,via a steep,gravelly detour,it's off to artist Murray Edwards's studio gallery,an idiosyncratic construction built from mud bricks in 1991. Edwards is busy showing another group of visitors through his impressionistic landscapes and figurative portraits.

"The sitter didn't like that one,"he says of an image depicting a rather angry-looking woman."Bit too close to the bone."

At Crabtree Wines in Watervale,another tiny outlet a short spin away,owners Rasa Fabian and Richard Wood crack open tasting bottles of riesling and shiraz and explain that being on a bike is no barrier to buying. Just let them know where you're staying and they will deliver.

Which is all well and good,except the prospect of getting back on a bike after a serious tasting may prove somewhat daunting.

Our final stop is just a few more kilometres down the trail,at O'Leary Walker Wines,and in terms of both blood-alcohol and enthusiasm levels,that's probably just as well.

Journey done,we dump our bikes,raise our glasses and head back to our lodgings by car - grape expectations fulfilled.

The writer travelled courtesy of the South Australian Tourism Commission.

FAST FACTS

• To cycle the Riesling Trail one-way,contact Riesling Trail Bike Hire in Clare (0427 842 232,rtcvcottages.com.au) or Cogwebs in Auburn (0400 290 687,cogwebs.com.au).

• Guided tours of Sevenhill Cellars winery are at 2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays,or by appointment. They take 75 minutes and cost $7.50. Bookings essential,(08) 8843 4222,seesevenhill.com.au.