Regardless of the diversity of the region the climate can be generally described as a high rainfall region in comparison to other Australian wine regions, however this rainfall is mainly during the winter months. The summer months are generally warm and dry compared to winter, however the average temperatures are considerably cooler than regions outside of the Adelaide Hills. 

In particular night time temperatures are much cooler than most surrounding wine regions.While the Adelaide Hills is considered a high rainfall region, rainfall varies across the region. The further you travel east from Mount Lofty rainfall drops dramatically. For example annual rainfall for Mount Lofty is approximately 1400mm, whereas annual rainfall for Charleston which is 10km Northeast of Mount Lofty is approximately 850mm.  Mean January Temperature (MJT) and Degree Days (DD) also vary from the cooler to warmer areas of the AHWR, with Stirling MJT 18.2oC and 1172DD, while Kersbrook has a MJT 20.4oC and 1583DD.