McLaren Vale is an hour's drive from Adelaide between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the coast of Gulf St Vincent. This region of orchards, pastures, and rows of spreading vines is linked to names like John Reynell and Thomas Hardy who helped put Australia on the map as a great winemaking country.
There
are now over sixty
wineries with cellar-door sales in the McLaren Vale area
with the first winery established
in 1838.
Plenty of plonk-sellers still reside in the fine old buildings and with the
restaurants and cafes in the region, they pride themselves on their expert
combination of the two local passions of wine and food.
The area is particularly well-suited to red wines, but a trend towards white wine consumption in the tasteful 70s prompted growers to stick in a few of the paler grapes and so produces generously flavoured wines such as, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Merlot. There is also some experimentation with Marsanne, Viognier and Sangiovese.
McLaren
Vale has been
recognised internationally as a designated wine
producing region and the area is also known for growing a variety of fruits
including strawberries, apricots, apples, pears, peaches and nectarines. In
season, there is an opportunity for visitors to pick their own fruit.
Here are just a few of the wineries and places you may wish to visit while in McLaren Vale...
Chappel Hill Winery
The cellar door at Chapel Hill is set within an historic 19th century stone church from which the winery takes its name. Situated at the top of one of McLaren Vale's magestic hills, views from the cellar door are magnificent. Take the time to share a picnic on the grass and enjoy the surrounding views of the rolling hills dotted with vineyards and the ocean.
Chapel Hill Winery Gallery
The chapel itself houses a small gallery,
showcasing a selection of photographs from the E L Fidge Collection featuring
prints of McLaren Vale's colonial days taken from E L Fidge's original glass
negatives.
Luong Rice Winery
Located on 220 Main South Road in McLaren Vale this winery was established in 1989 and specialises in chinese rice wine . This is one of the more unusual wineries in the area, worth a visit and taste. It is situated in the middle of McLaren Vale at the rear of the Red Gum Restaurant. Peter Bengsen makes Chinese rice wine which is sold here primarily for cooking purposes. He also sells a small selection of conventional grape wines and a liqueur port which is fortified with Rice Brandy. The newly built cellar door area is complemented by an outside courtyard, BBQ and eating area. For more details contact (08) 8323 8156.
Maxwell Wines
Located on Olivers Road in McLaren Vale this family winery was established in 1979 and specialises in red and white table wines and mead (honey wine) derived from cabernet sauvignon, semillon, merlot, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days 10 am to 5 pm (except Good Friday and Christmas Day) for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8200.
Dennis of McLaren Vale
Located on Kangarilla Road in McLaren Vale this family winery was established in 1971 and specialises in premium red and white table wines, port and mead derived from cabernet sauvignon, muscat, chardonnay, Merlot, sauvignon blanc, grenache and shiraz grapes. For more details contact (08) 8323 8665.
The Barn Bistro
Located in Ellen Street and built in 1870, the particular site on which The Barn was built was the old Coach Stop Way Station for the overnight stage for bullock teams bringing wheat from Victor Harbour to be milled in Adelaide.
The Barn restaurant is set in a restored 1840’s coach way station and has been an institution since the early 70’s. Enjoy the rustic surrounds, fine food , hospitality and the large selection of local wines from the walk in wine cellar which currently holds over 400 different labels from leading & emerging producers. The Barn has arguably the best selection of boutique regional wines in the fleurieu. For more details contact (08) 8323 8618.
McLaren Vale Hotel
Located on the Main Road, the McLaren Vale Hotel was built in 1857 and subsequently bought by Thomas Hardy who insisted that, regardless of demands on accommodation, there was always a room available for him. Home of Magnums award-winning Bar & Bistro. For dining reservations and Premium wine sales phone (08) 8323 8208.
Congregational Church and Salopian Inn (1854)
The Old Chapel in Willunga Road, McLaren Vale is now used by a range of small cottage industries. The plaque on the outside says 'To honour the memory of the pioneers of McLaren Vale who with dauntless faith held the first church service in the open air in 1840, built the first chapel in 1844, and built this, the first church, in 1861'. It¹s the McLaren Vale Congregational Church and is now occupied by the Art Gallery and L.J. Hooker.
