The Perfect Wine Day in McLaren Vale
Six cellar doors, one long lunch and a beach sunset
The plan
One day is nowhere near enough for McLaren Vale, but if you do it right you can taste widely across styles, eat a proper long lunch in the vines and still be on the beach for the sunset. This is the route I would send a first-time visitor on.
Getting around
McLaren Vale is compact but spread out - the cellar doors are 5-15 minutes apart by car, so either drive with a designated driver, book a wine tour van, or plan to stay overnight in the region. Start early - the best cellar doors get busy by mid-morning on weekends.
One final tip
Eat before your first tasting, then take it slow. Spit more than you swallow. And finish with the sun going down over Port Willunga Beach - it is one of the classic Fleurieu experiences.
Day 1
6 stops-
1
Hardys Tintara
McLaren ValeStart with the history. Tintara is the oldest working winery in McLaren Vale (1876) and the cellar door inside the original bluestone winery is a beautiful opening to the day.
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2
d'Arenberg
McLaren ValeClimb the Cube for the view. Even if the tasting inside does not grab you, the architecture alone is worth the stop.
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3
The Salopian Inn
McLaren ValeLong lunch. Share plates, gin list, garden views. Book in advance for weekends.
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4
Wirra Wirra Vineyards
McLaren ValeGarden tasting under the old trees. Try the Church Block and the RSW Shiraz.
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5
Samuel's Gorge
McLaren ValeTiny shed, big wines. A complete change of pace from the big names - and the grenache is the reason to come.
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6
Star of Greece
Aldinga & Port WillungaFinish on the clifftop at Port Willunga. Oysters, a glass of local rose and the sunset over the old jetty ruins.
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On the map
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Image credits
- McLaren Vale wine region by Panoramio contributor , CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons