Mclaren Vale Wine Region

McLaren Vale wine region is home to world-class wine and unique experiences. You can visit the beautiful surroundings, stay in an amazing place, and enjoy food made with local products. One of the most famous wines in McLaren Vale is Shiraz, but they also produce some high quality Grenache and Cabernet. Their wine selection is great for wine lovers who want to explore the variety of grapes they offer. McLaren Vale wine region is a charming place both inside and out. We highly recommend you to visit this McLaren Vale wine region.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in McLaren Vale Wine Region

Where is McLaren Vale Wine Region

The McLaren Vale wine region, in the north-west of the Fleurieu Peninsula, is located approximately 35 kilometers south of Adelaide. It captures an area from Hallett Cove, across to Clarendon, and south-west along the foothills until it meets the coast at Sellicks Beach.

History of McLaren Vale

McLaren Vale's history is evident and rich, spanning thousands of years and covered in a blend of Kaurna culture as well as European colonisation. John Reynell and Thomas Hardy planted grape vines in 1838, which quickly led to the creation of the Seaview and Hardy wineries. There are records of these two vineyards operating as early as 1850, which is why we're still talking about them today. McLaren Vale wine growers were making heavy, dry table wine for bulk exporters in the 19th century. There is a lot of potential in McLaren Vale for wines and its producers. There are more than 190 wine producers, including 80 cellar doors, who have received awards and major trophies at the world's most prestigious wine shows.

Terrior of McLaren Vale

McLaren Vale has a low altitude and a Mediterranean climate that is characterised by summer sunshine. Cool breezes coming in off the side of Mt. Lofty and the Gulf St. Vincent make it feel like you're in a different place depending on where you are, and as a result there's something for everyone when it comes to delicious wines. Until now, McLaren Vale was one of the most geologically diverse regions in the world. When profesionals mapped out winegrowing regions, with all their different soil types and terrain, they realized this would be a perfect place for a new "Atlas of Terroir" to identify these differences.

McLaren Vale Characteristics 

In McLaren Vale, three top varieties are grown: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache. Shiraz is the signature wine from the area. It’s famous for its smooth texture, as well as its intense berry flavour. However, it can be difficult to find a ‘typical’ McLaren Vale Shiraz because of the diversity of soil types and microclimates in this region. Cabernet is known for being exceptionally flavour some and vibrant in flavour. Our wine takes on the flavours of flowers and fruits like cherry-berry or raspberry. It also tends to mellow with age, so you can enjoy it for decades to come. Grenache is one of the star performers in McLaren Vale. The region's vines produce lighter, yet flavourful wines with notes of spices.

Food to pair with McLaren Vale

1. Kitchener Bun

Kitchener buns are special Australian desserts that have been around since 1915. They're made of a dough that's shaped like a circle and then fried or baked (like you would a donut), which is then split and filled with cream and jam. Try this delicious apple cinnamon bun as the finish to a meal, or on a picnic! The sweet treat was named after the British Field Marshal famous for his victories in Africa and Australia. The finishing touch is a dusting of powdered sugar on top. This dessert pairs amazing with McLaren Vale wines.

2. Pie Floater

A pie floater is a type of Australian dish that can be found in areas in Adelaide, Sydney and more recently, Kansas City. Usually an Australian meat pie will be drowned upside-down in pea soup. Some people think the dish originated in England, where there is a soup called 'Pea Soup with Eel and Suet Dumplings.

People mostly prefer to have tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or malt vinegar accompany their pie floaters.Pie float has existed since the 1890s. It was invented in Port Pirie, South Australia by a bakery operator named Ern "Shorty" Bradley.

The popularity of the floater pie can be traced back to Adelaide in the late 1800s, when there were 13 pies carts operating. These became well known for the floater type of pie that was served. Last year was the last that pie carts were in operation but these days, you can find plenty of bakeries with a late night pie floater.

The popularity of the dish is evident due output from it being recognized as a South Australian Heritage Icon by the National Trust of Australia in 2003. It pairs perfectly with McLaren Vale wines.

3. Goat on a Hot Tin Roof

A fresh and tangy cheese, Goat on a Hot Tin Roof is made from the pasteurized milk of Canberra's Oskjberg and Towerview dairy goats. This cheese is easy to spread on any type of bread because the texture can be easily softened. If you're in the mood for a spicy snack, try this cheese! Paired with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil, it will complement the unique flavors. We recommend you to try this cheese with McLaren Vale wines.

Places to visit near McLaren Vale

1. Gourmet kangaroo island

Explore the beautiful Kangaroo Island. Enjoy the hospitality at Kangaroo Island Spirits when the sun goes down – and also enjoy their curated selection of gin! Come to Kangaroo Island where boutique makers are crafting award-winning gins that reflect the beautiful landscape. You’ll experience the sights, tastes and smells of the island on your tour finish back at your accommodation.

2. Vivonne bay to snelling beach

The Rustic Blue café, where kangaroos can be seen grazing in the paddocks, is located nearby. They serve a fantastic breakfast and only 10 mins away and offers breathtaking views. We recommend coming early for a sunrise or sunset experience. For families, kids and adults alike, don’t miss the chance to rent a sand board and surf down the side of the dune. Next up is a 15-minute car ride to one of KI’s most famous attractions, Seal Bay. You'll be guided through to a boardwalk which leads into a steep rocky cove. From there you'll have amazing views of the stunning white sands and turquoise waters below. It’s home to a colony of endangered Australian sea lions and you should go for a walk among the pups, suckling mothers and fighting bulls. Afterwards check in to Lifetime Private Retreats, a collection of five-star villas that are located on the hillside leading up to Cape Le Grand. Choose from accommodation with ocean or seaside views, a secluded location, or one that is just feet from the action.

3. Adelaide to kingscote

After collecting your hire car from Adelaide, make a morning getaway 40 kilometres (25 miles) south to McLaren Vale, a seaside wine region famed for its shiraz. Before reaching the town, follow signs to d’Arenberg winery. The Cube is an avant-garde, five-storey structure with a Museum of Alternate Realities, virtual fermenter and tasting room. If you drive for an hour, then take the 3pm ferry to Kangaroo Island, you'll spend a total of three hours on the ferry before arriving. Arriving in the late afternoon, you'll enjoy checking into the Aurora Ozone Hotel. It's on the seafront and a mere 20 minutes away from the airport by car. Adelaide island is home to 2,000 people and was first European settlement of South Australia. Take a drive around nearby Reeves Point and you'll find relics there that date back to 1836. If you have time, I would recommend walking along the coastal paths. For dinner, enjoy the seafood menu with local delicacy, marron - they're locally farmed freshwater crayfish.

Frequently asked questions about McLaren Vale Wine Region