Wine region spotlight: McLaren Vale

We’ve decided to explore McLaren Vale in August and I couldn’t be more excited! It was a tough call deciding where we wanted to go next, but we got set on McLaren Vale and now we are busy planning our trip. I’ve been doing so much research in the lead-up, and I thought it would be worth sharing some of it with you all, so you can also learn about this incredible wine region.

McLaren Vale is one of the oldest wine regions in Australia and the birthplace of wine in South Australia. Those that live in Adelaide are lucky because they have so many wine regions within a short drive to choose from, McLaren Vale being one of them. Its unique Mediterranean climate lends itself to an interesting variety of wines just south of Adelaide. Winemakers are innovative and constantly experiment, offering something new and different to visitors. And if that wasn’t enough of a reason to try out this wine region, the produce and food scene is out of this world.

McLaren Vale is famed for its red wine with over 90% of production going to red wine with a good mix of classic and unique varieties. This was what drew us to this wine region as we are a fan of Mediterranean wines!

But what else makes this South Australian wine region so popular? Well, let’s dive into McLaren Vale!

Where is McLaren Vale?

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McLaren Vale really has it all. It is one of South Australia’s most picturesque regions, sitting between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the sea. What you’ll find here is rolling hills covered in vines, rugged coastline, perfect beaches and beautiful little towns. Sounds perfect to me!

The best part about this wine region is how close it is to Adelaide. In under an hour you can make it to McLaren Vale by car, making it the perfect day trip location. We opted for a few days to explore however because there is so much to see and do!

The climate is warm enough to ripen almost all varieties, but the sea breezes ensure that it doesn’t get too hot. This makes for perfect wine-growing conditions, particularly for Mediterranean styles. It also means for visitors that it is a good temperature all year round and that you can experience the beach and wineries all in one!

What makes McLaren Vale special?

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So why visit or enjoy wine from McLaren Vale? South Australia has so many wine regions to enjoy, including the famous Barossa, so what sets McLaren Vale apart?

Well, for starters McLaren Vale has an incredible climate for wine. With rolling hills and a wide variety of soil mixed with the cooling coastline, the terroir has so much to offer to winemakers. It means that so many varieties flourish in this region, leaving plenty of room for experimentation.

This spirit of innovation is what McLaren Vale is well known for. It draws some of the most creative winemakers around that push the boundaries on the hunt for the perfect wine. What you’ll find are smaller, more boutique wineries trying new wines and winemaking techniques, all producing incredible results.

Some of the first of experimental wine varieties in Australia were also planted in McLaren Vale. For example, Coriole was the first winery in Australia to release Fiano, and Olivers Taranga was the first to release Mencia in Australia.

Today this boutique wine region has over 7,500 hectares under vine and high global demand to match. However, it still retains its innovative spirit with a culture of groundbreaking experimentation.

On top of this innovative culture, McLaren Vale also has a focus on sustainability, with a large percentage of producers farming organically, biodynamically or using sustainable farming methods.

Key wine varieties of McLaren Vale

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McLaren Vale is best known for dry reds and wines that are complex, well-structured and elegant. The variety of soils and maritime climate create the perfect conditions for growing so many different varieties. So you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to the wines from this region – although if you are a white drinker you may have less luck. Only 10% of the wines produced by the region are whites!

Some of the vines in McLaren Vale are 100 years old and still productive, and over half of the land is dedicated to Shiraz. When it comes to the noble grapes, McLaren Vale is best known for Shiraz, being a warmer climate wine region. However, it is also well known for Grenache, Cabernet and Chardonnay (although whites aren’t produced all that much in the region). You’ll find deep colours and bold, rich flavours in these wines that have been celebrated by the region for generations. Some famous wines include the Wirra Wirra Church Block and D’Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz.

When it comes to Mediterranean wines, McLaren Vale offers a feast of options. Think Fiano, Vermentino, Tempranillo, Nero d’Avola and Sangiovese which are all well suited to the conditions of the region. However, in a culture of constant experimentation, more and more wineries are bringing new Mediterranean varieties to the region, including Zinfandel and Petit Verdot.

So, if you are like me and in love with Mediterranean wines, this region is going to be like heaven to you.

Where to find them

There are many places you can find McLaren Vale wines outside of the region, although wines from the area aren’t as easily found as those of the Barossa. Some of the larger wineries are easily available in all bottle stores, however, if you are after something from a smaller winery you might need to look harder. Many boutique bottle stores have a good selection, or you can go to the wineries direct. I also find that online services such as Vinomofo and Naked Wines usually have some great McLaren Vale wines to try in their boxes. It’s just a matter of looking out for them!

What to expect when you visit

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There is so much to do in McLaren Vale, I am getting anxiety just thinking about how we are going to pack it all in. Between the beaches, the wine, the scenery, the food and the activities, you could easily spend days exploring.

McLaren Vale is less than an hour outside of Adelaide by car, so if you are staying in the region you will need to hire one. If you’re in Adelaide it is just as easy to take a day trip out. We noticed there were a lot of day trips from Adelaide, not so many tours though from within McLaren Vale. We’ve opted for a hop-on hop-off wine bus to get the most out of the day!

Where to stay

There is plenty of accommodation options in the form of Airbnb, regular BnBs and cottages. We noticed when booking that a lot of the affordable was closer to Willunga. My tip for you would be to map out the wineries you want to go to first. There are clusters of wineries so if your accommodation is nearby you won’t need to drive!

What about the food?

There are over 80 cellar doors in the region so you need to work out your ‘must-see’ list. They all seem to be open most of the time, and most offer good lunch options. We were impressed by how many offered lighter and more cost-effective lunches so you aren’t forking out hundreds each day for a winery lunch (although we plan to do this as well).

One piece of advice I was given was that there isn’t a whole heap of dinner options unless you go into the main town. This means it is best to plan your day around a great lunch and have some options back at home to make a meal for dinner. All washed down with a glass or two of the wine you’ve bought over the day of course! The perfect place to get your produce is the Willunga markets which are open on a Saturday morning. For a region that is known for its produce and olives, I cannot wait to get stuck into this market when we go!

Other activities

There are plenty of things to do around the region that don’t involve wine or food, in case you get over the endless tastings on offer (I don’t think this will be a problem I have). With the beaches nearby there are some beautiful coastal walks and a place to lounge and soak up the sun. You can also do the Coast to Vines hike if you’re feeling up to some exercise.

One thing we are going to check out is hiring bikes and trying the Shiraz Trail. This is 8km of track that you can walk as well between Willunga and McLaren Vale, with beautiful scenery and wineries along the way.

If you are looking for wine-based activities, there are plenty of these too! Whether you want to blend your own wine, have a picnic in the vines or try the good stuff matched with cheese, it’s all there for you. Worth the extra expense if you want a special experience!

What I’m most excited to try in McLaren Vale

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I’ll definitely get back to you on my favourites when I’ve been, but I have been doing a lot of research and asking around on the best wineries in McLaren Vale. Here is the list of the wineries I am most excited to try based on what I’ve found:

• D’Arenberg – The Cube is an iconic piece of architecture that I’ve always wanted to see, and although it is meant to be touristy, it is worth a visit. D’Arenberg also have three dining options and plenty of different tasting experiences to try, making for a fun visit
• Primo Estate – Home of the Primo Secco I love so much, I can’t wait to visit this winery and try some of their other wines
• Alpha Box and Dice – I’ve had a few people recommend this winery as it offers a unique cellar door
• SC Pannell – This winery is right near our accommodation and I’ve been enjoying their wines for a few years now, so I can’t wait to check them out
• Wirra Wirra – You have to visit the classics, and Wirra Wirra is apparently beautiful with some great tastings
• Maxwell – I’ve heard great things about this winery and cannot wait to try the wines and hopefully the restaurant too
• Olivers Taranga – I’ve had someone say this is their favourite winery in the area, so I’m thinking it must be good!
• Coriole – This winery has an incredible restaurant I keep hearing about so I am completely sold
• Hugh Hamilton – for their incredible views and different tasting experiences

There are so many more on the list, but that is just a taster! I can’t wait to share with you how many I get to and which ones were my favourite!

The final word on McLaren Vale

Writing this article has made me even more excited for this trip. I cannot wait to get stuck into the wines of this region, and learn more from the interesting winemakers. It will be so incredible to see this unique place in action. And eat a lot of good food with our wine of course!

Whether you are looking for something different or hunting for your next wine destination, make sure you consider McLaren Vale. It offers so much, and with so many exciting wines to try, you are sure to find something for everyone! Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favourite!