McLaren Vale wineries guide
South Australian Tourism Commission/ d’Arenberg Cube

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Curated selection of points

Plan the perfect wine weekend at these standout cellar doors where you can level up your tasting.

Less than an hour south of Adelaide lies Australia’s most beautiful wine region, where dozens of inviting cellar doors are surrounded by lovingly tended rows of vines caressed by gentle sea breezes. From iconic shiraz to easy-drinking Italian, Greek, Spanish and Portuguese varietals, you’ll find an astonishing range of flavour profiles on offer, and that diversity is reflected in the cellar door offerings at the best McLaren Vale wineries.
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1
Coriole Vineyards

Rolling hills lined with Sangiovese vines conjure up Tuscany, but the glittering ocean in the distance makes this a McLaren Vale special.

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Isaac Forman
Chaffeys Rd, McLaren Vale, SA, Australia, 5171
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It’s no surprise that this is one of the most sought-after wedding destinations in the entire region, and the views are even better with a glass in hand at the open-air arbour bar that pours the perfect mix of regional classics like shiraz alongside emerging Mediterranean varietals.
2
Kangarilla RoadKangarilla Road Winery

Old and new school winemaking techniques are on display at this shared cellar door, which is also home to Silent Noise wines.

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44 Hamilton Road, McLaren Flat, SA, Australia, 5171
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Eye-catching modern artworks set the scene for an innovative father and son winemaking team making everything from funky pet nats to single block shiraz releases that tell a story of place and let you do a deep dive into terroir. Just be sure to allow plenty of time for a visit, as you’ll want to taste most of the 30 wines on offer.
3
Big Easy Radio

It’s strictly adults-only at this giant teal shed surrounded by palms, which feels more like a mate’s backyard than an award-winning winery.

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11 Stonehouse Lane, Aldinga, SA, Australia, 5173
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Don’t expect things to be quiet, though; regular gigs featuring many of the state’s best musicians make it the place to be Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. The service is as casual as the dress code (boardies and thongs are welcome) but the easy-drinking wines are the result of serious attention to detail, with left-field blends of Mediterranean varietals at the fore.
4
WoodstockWoodstock Wine

Little ones will absolutely love the wildlife sanctuary at this sprawling property, one of the most kid-friendly wineries in McLaren Vale.

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Woodstock Wine
215 Douglas Gully Road, McLaren Flat, SA, Australia, 5171
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Arrive in the morning to spot some of the fluffy rescue koalas napping in centuries-old gums beside the cellar door before getting up close with the friendly resident kangaroos and an emu named Maverick at the daily 11:30 feeding.
5
MaxwellMaxwell Wines

This family-friendly winery is best known for mazes and mead, but the real star of the show is usually hard at work in the kitchen.

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Maxwell Wines
19 Olivers Road, McLaren Vale, SA, Australia, 5171
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Chef Fabian Lehmann devises the kind of audaciously plated creations that are made for Instagram, and fortunately, they taste every bit as good as they look. The $165 price tag means this is strictly for special occasions, and the 10-course tasting menu features intentionally vague listings like “nori, ricotta, pea” to ensure that every dish is a surprise when it arrives.
6
d'Arenberg

This giant five-storey Rubik’s Cube rising above the vines is visible long before you reach it.

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South Australian Tourism Commission/ d’Arenberg Cube
58 Osborn Rd, McLaren Vale, SA, Australia, 5171
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The playful fourth-storey restaurant Singapore Circus combines influences from across Southeast Asia in a range of small plates and signature dishes like the showstopping chilli crab, while d’Arry’s Verandah in the neighbouring 19th-century homestead is the place to head to for leisurely long lunches that highlight seasonal local produce.
7
Wirra WirraWirra Wirra Wines

If you’re after something a little more casual, the staff at Harry’s Deli begin pulling shots of Dawn Patrol coffee.

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Wirra Wirra
McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale, SA, Australia, 5171
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This wineryserves a simple brunch menu at 10 am before switching to more substantial fare at lunchtime. You can get on a first-name basis with some of the region’s best producers as you tuck into cheeseboards and platters featuring Brian’s olives and Andy Clappis’ bread, or go a little deeper into the menu to find a range of sandwiches and a hearty steak and shiraz pie that’s a local favourite.
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ShottesbrookeShottesbrooke Winery

You won’t be able to taste your way through the entire range at this winery, which has six different skews.

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Shottesbrooke
McLaren Flat, SA, Australia, 5171
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Sample even a few and you’ll likely enjoy the excuse to stretch your legs on a short walk through the vines to The Currant Shed, where you’ll find yet more Shottesbrooke wines on pour alongside a thoughtful menu that offers elegant fine dining without any pretensions (there’s even a three-course set menu for kids that’s paired with housemade lime cordial).
9
My McLaren Vale

Get exclusive access to one of the best wineries in McLaren Vale.

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86 Aldinga Road, Willunga, SA, Australia, 5172
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North Carolina native Jon Overcash leads small group tours to McLaren Vale breweries and distilleries.His extensive network of local connections means you can expect exclusive access to winemakers and a few barrel samples along the way, and he can customise the itinerary to focus on particular wineries, styles or family-friendly venues.
10
HelivistaHelivista Helicopters

If you want to fully appreciate McLaren Vale’s stunning natural beauty, this unique tour gives you a bird’s eye view over the entire region.

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South Australian Tourism Commission
11 St Andrews Bvd, Normanville, SA, Australia, 5204
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Explore the spectacular cliffs of the Fleurieu Peninsula to the rugged Onkaparinga Gorge. A number of local accommodation providers have their own helipads, which means you can get picked up from your front door and whisked away to a winery within minutes before stopping at The Currant Shed for a “fly-through” meal on your way to a private hilltop location where you’ll enjoy an unforgettable lunch.
11
Inkwell Wines

The name may be a cheeky reference to the winery’s address, but once you check into Hotel California Road you don't want to leave.

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South Australian Tourism Commission/Josie Withers
377 California Road, Tatachilla, Australia, 5171
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The exquisitely designed adults-only escape is built from interconnected shipping containers that have been placed on top of each other like Lego blocks, and each of the suites makes the most of the surrounding vines. All you need to decide is whether you want to enjoy the views from the comfortable leather couch, deep soaking tub, giant floating king bed or spacious deck.
12
GemtreeGemtree Wines, McLaren Vale, Australia

This winery is big on biodynamics and soil health, but there’s no need to worry if you get your hands dirty on a farm tour.

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167 Elliott Road, McLaren Flat, SA, Australia, 5171
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Just down the road from the cellar door, the CABN X pods are the perfect spot for a deep clean thanks to the wood-fired cedar sauna and a giant two-person outdoor tub. It’s all part of a design that maximises the natural beauty of the surroundings, and there are few better ways to wake up than the dawn chorus provided by the avian residents of the majestic redgums just metres from the deck.
13
Shadow Creek McLaren Vale

A large part of McLaren Vale’s appeal is that it fits so much into one compact region.

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Sabine Verhack Photography
Cnr Edwards Rd and Jackson Hill Rd, McLaren Vale, SA, Australia, 5171
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In the centre of the valley, kangaroos and sheep nibble at blades of grass shooting up between dense rows of vines, while further west ochre-coloured cliffs loom over beaches of glittering white sand. And the million-dollar views from every room in this cosy hideaway let you take it all in without having to get up from your seat.
14
New World Wine Tour Co

Even the most experienced oenophile will learn a thing or two on Ian Hooper’s tours, which explore the cutting edge of McLaren Vale wines.

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Boutique, hard-to-find producers and unusual varietals and styles are the order of the day on these fascinating excursions, which include vegan and natural wine tours as well as a day-long sensory experience that aims to demystify this sometimes intimidating world by introducing guests to the vocabulary and flavours of new generation wines.

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