South Australia - McLaren Vale - heart of the Fleurieu wine zone
By Sam Russell
Maxwell Wines, McLaren Vale, South Australia, has produced mead honey wine for almost 50 years [©Maxwell Wines]
Vineyards and wineries dot South Australia’s arcadian Fleurieu Peninsula as it stretches south from Adelaide to the Murray’s mouth. Here vignerons rub shoulders with grazing, horticulture, dairy and crop producers. It is a generously endowed part of the continent.
The centre of gravity of Fleurieu gastronomy is undoubtedly McLaren Vale. Perhaps Australia’s most accessible wine destination you can drive there from Adelaide’s CBD in under 45 minutes.
McLaren Vale is well recognised for fine red wines, especially shiraz and grenache. There are almost 80 cellar doors here, 130 vineyards and numerous memorable fine-dining restaurants.
The region rewards the visitor at any time -- but here’s a plan for visiting the Vale in one easygoing unrushed day. As ever you’ll find trading days and times vary widely. Check the websites as you plan.
Stop 1 - Breakfast at Willunga Farmers' Market
It is a weekly phenomenon, so if you're in the area on a Saturday make sure you stop here for breakfast and browsing. Legions of locals join the Adelaide hordes at this Saturday morning outdoor celebration of fresh regional produce. Arrive at 8, head for the Relish Sisters’ hearty breakfast, skip the queues for coffee (see Stop 2) then dawdle through Vogue Australia’s 2009 ‘Outstanding Farmers’ Market.’ 70-odd local producers qualify to sell here. Talk to them all. Try before you buy.
Open every Saturday 8 am to 12.30 (but not Christmas Day),
Willunga Town Square,
Main Road, Willunga
Tel: 08 8556 4297
Links:
Stop 2 - Coriole cellar door for wine olive oil, platters
It is a languid scenic drive from Willunga to the high northern slopes of the Vale. The views are spectacular and the road-signs read like a wine list. Family-owned Coriole makes notable wines and an equally notable contribution to cultural life. The annual Coriole Music Festivals are legendary.
Cellar door open 10 to 5 weekdays; 11 to 5 Sundays and public holidays.
Chaffey’s Road,
McLaren Vale
Tel: 08 8323 8305
Links:
Stop 3 - Maxwell Wines and Meads
At this striking winery set into the chalk hillside above the township, Maxwell makes rich classic exemplars of the McLaren Vale wine types. Sampling the shiraz and cabernet styles alone makes a visit worthwhile. But did you know Australian mead sets world standards? A medal and trophy winner at overseas mead competitions, Maxwell also makes three illustrious meads. Try them.
Cellar door open 10 to 5 daily.
Olivers Road,
McLaren Vale
Tel: 08 8323 8200
Links:
Stop 4 - Lunch at Salopian Inn
The Salopian is a southern vales dining institution. The building has been there for 150 years. The same family has run it for – well, not quite as long. The menu is local, concise and imaginative and the cellar fully reflects the region. You have had a busy morning. Now for a reflective meal with some decent regional wine. They all are, of course.
Open for lunch daily except Wednesday. Open for dinner Friday and Saturday nights.
Corner Main and McMurtrie Roads,
McLaren Vale
Tel: 08 8323 8769
Links:
After lunch - stroll to Primo Estate for wine and olive oil tasting
This makes an excellent post-luncheon stroll from the Salopian. Visit this striking contemporary structure, taste the Italian-heritage wines and olive oils and admire this bold statement of the Grilli family’s confidence in the long-term future of McLaren Vale.
Open daily 11 to 4
McMurtrie Road,
McLaren Vale
Tel: 08 8323 6800
Links:
Stop 5 - Wirra Wirra
From the 1970s the legendary and now-late Greg Trott, rescuer of this derelict 1902 ironstone winery from its state of near demolition, leveraged this rejuvenated brand into the public eye with a shrewd blend of assured winemaking and astute marketing. Trott’s stamp is found everywhere in this fascinating winery.
Open Monday to Saturday 10 to 5; Sunday and public holidays 11 to 5
McMurtrie Road,
McLaren Vale
Tel: 08 8323 8414
Links:
Stop 6 - Dinner at Fino
One well-known wine writer called this the best restaurant in South Australia. Perhaps he’s right. There is one simple way to find out. Book.
Open for lunch Tuesday to Saturday; for dinner Friday and Saturday; and for breakfast on Saturday from 8.30.
8 Hill Street,
Willunga
Tel: 08 8556 4488
Links:
Regions
- Fleurieu Peninsula (SA)
- Fleurieu (including Kangaroo Island) (SA)
- McLaren Vale (SA)
- Mount Lofty Ranges (SA)
Our Recommendations
To see our recommendations, ratings and reviews you must be a logged-in subscriber.
To subscribe please enter your email address in the "Subscribe Now - it's Free" box on the right and click the "Join" button, or fill in this form >
South Australia's Eden Valley offers spectacular views and outstanding wine. Touring and tasting there is memorable. Plan a leisurely drive and taste striking examples ... superior Eden Valley wines with style, finesse and austerity »
With so many vineyards, wineries and wines to choose from, it's difficult to know where to go and what to try. Our top 12 Australian wine regions guide may assist you »
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, has accepted the Great Wine Capitals Global Network’s invitation to become the network’s ninth member in this coup for Australia »
Mitolo is one of McLaren Vale's most respected wineries, consistently receiving high scores from wine critics Robert Parker and James Halliday and exporting their ... offer magnificent views of the natural creek, vineyards and Willunga Ranges »
Maxwell Wines in McLaren Vale may have a reputation for premium reds, but its brewing origins lie in mead. And the award winning nectar is under threat from a honeybee disorder sweeping the world »
Explore the vineyards and cellar doors of the McLaren Vale wine region.
Learn more about wine production in the McLaren Vale region.
How can one wine region play host to such a diverse range of seemingly endless contrasts? Just 35 minutes south of Adelaide the region boasts sun-kissed sands and ... traditional Aussie shiraz and hearty grenache and savoury Mediterranean wines made from sangiovese, nebbiolo and barbera.
New wine names seem to be popping up everywhere, thanks in part to the EU's language police. But every cloud has a silver lining, and new (trademark protected) names ... Cadenzia are taking off. What is it? Find out on the Cadenzia trail »
Coriole is situated in the undulating hills of the densely planted McLaren Vale region just within sight of the sea and less than an hour from Adelaide. read more
Family owned since 1979, Maxwell Wines is found at the heart of the McLaren Vale wine district in South Australia. A premium boutique producer, the Maxwell Winery ... read more
Primo Estate is family owned winery in South Australia's beautiful McLaren Vale making a unique range of wines that reflect their Italian heritage. read more
Wirra Wirra Vineyards is situated 3.7km from the township of McLaren Vale in the state of South Australia. Originally settled in 1838, McLaren Vale has become one ... read more
The award winning Salopian Inn restaurant is located on the outskirts of McLaren Vale, South Australia, in a slate-floored, stone building dating from 1851. read more
Coriole Vineyards
Coriole Vineyards was established by the Lloyd family in 1967 overlooking the McLaren Vale region and the Gulf of St Vincent. The area is one of Australia's oldest ... read more
The beautiful limestone Maxwell Winery is split into three levels where you can look out from the cellar door to the impressive views of McLaren Vale and then look ... read more
Fino's passionate and experienced team lead by David Swain and Sharon Romeo aim to maintain high levels of food with professional and welcoming service. read more
Established in 1894, Wirra Wirra's ironstone cellars were restored when first cousins Greg and Roger Trott revived the Wirra Wirra (Aboriginal for amongst the gums) ... read more
Read more about this winery at the Winepros Archive, which contains over 20,000 reviews and articles accessible to Visit Vineyards® subscribers read more
Primo Estate Olive Oils - Joseph LabelPrimo Estate in the McLaren Vale of South Australia produce high quality award winning olive oils and vinegar, as well as wines (see window below for address and ... read more
Visiting vineyards? You think you'll remember all those wines, but guess what? You probably won't. So we've created a wine tasting template to fill in easily, to keep track of all your favourite (and not so favourite) wines. 
in the cooler months, a drop of red warms your tastebuds and your soul, especially when it's fine red wine from Huntington Estate. Love wildlife as well as red wine? Help the Central Highlands Tasmania Wildlife Group support animals, starving after bushfires, through the colder months and you could win superb Tassie Milford Pinot Noir. 
Friend us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Find us on Pinterest
Join us on Google+