We highly recommend the following – also, very tried and tested.
Awesome old stone olive pressing building and no actual tasting bar. They simply walk around and pour the wine wherever you’re standing. It’s refreshing and relaxing. The kind of place you joyously get stuck in…. in every sense of the phrase! Super relaxed atmosphere, excellent wines and a fantastic view of the Onkaparinga Gorge.
T: 08 8323 8651
A: Chafey’s Road, McLaren Vale – 5 mins from us.
Daily: 11am – 5pm
Now this is something else! Six generations of the grape growing Harvey family….. and finally a fabulous space to show off their awesome wines. A beautiful hilltop position with stunning views to The Cube and Mt Barker. Featuring a Wine Bar, Pizza Teca food, Never Never Distilling Co cocktail lounge and Chalk Hill’s exclusive Alpha Crucis tasting lounge. There’s also large expanses of lawn to picnic on.
T: 08 8323 6400
A: 58 Field Street, McLaren Vale – 6 mins from us.
Check their website
At the inland end of the valley Kangarilla is just 6 minutes away for The Vineyard MV. They have fantastic wines. Must try the Grenache. Try and talk them into showing you around the winery. They have a sorting table which is the envy of the Vale…. It shakes, rattles, rolls, blows and pops.
T: 08 8383 7518
A: 809 Kangarilla Road, Kangarilla – 6 mins from us
M | T | W | T | F | S – 10am – 5pm (closed Sunday).
Made in tiny volumes, the Bekkers signature is wine with soft, silky texture from McLaren Vale’s hero varieties of Syrah and Grenache. An accent on spice and fragrance is sympathetically supported by McLaren Vale’s hallmark generosity of flavour. Toby & Emmanuelle Bekkers share our vision to provide our guests with an experience of the highest standard. They invite you to pop into their stunning tasting room or you are welcome to arrange a private tasting.
T: +61 (0) 429 900 021
A: 212 Seaview road, McLaren Vale – 5 mins from us
T | F | S – 10am – 4pm
By Appointment all other times.
An absolute gem of a small batch, boutique winery. It’s exactly what you’d be looking for in a premium wine region. Terrific wine, chatting to the winemakes, Paul and Heather Wilson, in a gorgeous 160 year old settlers chapel with the cutest small batch winery just outside the door.
The Samson Tall Grenache is made with fruit from our prestigious Marmont block here at The Vineyard Retreat and is a real stunner along with the rest of the line-up.
What’s with the name, you might ask? Pop your head out the back door of the pug construction chapel and you’ll see a tiny graveyard before the vines. In there lies your answer…. literally!
T: 0488 214 680
A: 219 Strout Road, McLaren Vale – 5 mins from us
M | T | W | T | F | S | S – 11am – 5pm
Cosy cellar door and lovely outdoor area. Beautiful wines year in year out.
T: 0460 898 158
A: 148 McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale – 5 mins from us
F | S | S – 11am – 5pm
A visit to Tim and Amanda Geddes’ place is about as authentic and down home as you can get. Essentially a husband and wife team (with one or two quality employees) these guys give it their all. If you want a small, family oriented, and laid back experience we think this would be right up your alley.
Tim’s solid wines compliment Amanda’s terrific food. I always try to make sure I drop by the winery around mealtimes, hoping to catch a bite or two of whatever amazing dish is being whipped up! Only minutes away, just over the hill as the crow flies, it’s close to The Vineyard Retreat.
T: 0438 128 281
A: 283 Blewitt Springs Road, Blewitt Springs – 3 mins from us.
Daily: 10am – 5pm
In a very old small stone building…. It can get shoulder to shoulder, like a popular British Pub but with good wines and good olives too. If you like big reds try the Lloyd Shiraz.
T: 08 8323 8305
A: Chaffeys Road, McLaren Vale – 5 mins from us
M | T | W | T | F – 10am – 5pm
S | S – 11am – 5pm
One of the Vale’s original winemaking families with some great old vineyards. Beautiful old buildings with some seriously chunky Red Gum woodwork inside. Very spiffy whites like Vermentino and Fiano as well as serious reds.
T: 08 8323 8498
A: 246 Seaview Road, McLaren Vale – 7 mins from us
Daily: 10am – 4pm
Like stepping back into the 1960’s cellar door experience. You might be lucky enough to get the somewhat professional Colin Kay behind the counter for an even more crustily authentic experience. Try to buy the Block 6. You won’t regret parting with your money if you get some.
W: www.kaybrothersamerywines.com
T: 08 8323 8211
A: Kays Road, McLaren Vale – 3 mins from us
M | T | W | T | F – 9am – 5pm
S | S – 11am – 5pm
Gorgeous contemporary building and cellar door. Beautiful wines and olive oil. A really lovely tasting experience.
T: 08 8323 6800
A: McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale – 9 mins from us
Daily: 11am – 4pm
A visit to the D’Arenberg tasting room involves a visit to the massive life size Rubics Cube. There’s a $15 entrance fee ($10 for children & free for under 2yrs & dining guests). Located on the top level offering stunning views of the district, you’ll not only be able to taste some of the 70 wines available (try the Dead Arm & Coppermine Road) but you’ll also be able to explore other levels of this amazing building including the wine sensory room, the alternate realities Museum and the wacky bathrooms! There is also a cafe on the 3rd level.
T: 08 8329 4822
A: Osborne Road, McLaren Vale – 7 mins from us
Daily: 10.30am – 4.30pm
Set in a vineyard with expansive views it’s just a lovely place to visit. The tasting pod is a little quirky and there’s a fantastic selection of wines to try.
T: 0459 101 372
A: 695 California Road, McLaren Vale – 18 mins from us
Daily: 10am – 5pm
Intimate cellar door. Decent wines.
T: 08 8557 0000
A: 90 Malpas Road, McLaren Vale – 11 mins from us
Daily: 10am – 5pm
You won’t feel guilty having a taste on the balcony as the whole place has been built to minimize the footprint and be ecologically sensitive. None of that detracts from the wines though so if you’re a red drinker be sure to take a look at the Tempranillo and the White Lees Shiraz as well as the flagship Obsidian.
W: www.gemtreevineyards.com.au
T: 08 8323 0802
A: 167 Elliott Road, McLaren Flat – 8 mins from us
Open
Daily: 10am – 5pm
Very instagram friendly, live music, rugs on the grass, food platters and wine tastings
W: www.downtherabbitholewines.com.au
A: 233 Binney Road, McLaren Vale – 12 mins from us
Check their website – times are weather dependent
Very cute and comfortable cellar door on the main street of McLaren Vale. Eclectic yet high quality wines.
T: 08 8556 2082
A: 17 High Street, Willunga – 20 mins from us
F | S | S | M – 11am – 4pm
Modern mediterranean wines. A nice spot to stop for pizza.
T: 08 8323 7344
A: 309 Seaview Road, McLaren Vale – 4 mins from us
Daily: 10am – 5pm
In a lovely little dip of the landscape with new/old building. Quite clean and crisp on the inside, the wines are all served from a rather expensive temperature controlled, airtight dispensary. Again, try the Grenache and perhaps stay for a lunch platter.
W: www.angove.com.au
T: 08 8323 6900
A: Chalk Hill Road, McLaren Vale – 8 mins from us
Daily: 10am – 5pm
Technically in the Adelaide Hills wine region but only 30 mins from “The Vineyard”, K1 is a stunning lakeside cellar door in a different climate altogether. The finesse of these cooler climate wines will amaze you and the varietals such as Arneis and Tzimmukin will give your palate a run for its money. Of course you will also find the more traditional varietals too, like excellent chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet. Take some nibbles and sit by the lake.
T: 08 8388 3700
A: Tynan Road, Kuitpo – 30 mins from us
M | T | W | T | F – 11am – 3pm
S | S – 11am – 5pm
Beresford’s stunning tasting pavilion has to been seen and is like no other in McLaren Vale. There are various tasting experiences on offer accompanied by fresh local produce. There’s also a wine and chocolate experience as well as share platters to be enjoyed on the pavilion deck with a glass or two.
W: www.beresfordwines.com.au/tasting-pavilion
T: 08 8383 0362
A: 252 Blewitt Springs Rd, McLaren Flat – 5 mins from us
W | T | F | S | S – 11am – 3pm
Wirra Wirra’s beautiful stone winery and Café/Providore is famous for its Church Block. Wirra Wirra has much more to offer with great Grenache and Adelaide Hills whites. They have some quirky stuff including Wood Henge (an Aussie take on the English Stone Henge but made from the trunks of huge gum trees) and their very own trebuchet – a medieval siege machine which is great fun to see in action with watermelons as ammunition. Various “experiences” on offer!
W: www.wirrawirra.com/cellar-door
T: 08 8323 8414
A: Cnr Strout & McMurtrie Rds, McLaren Vale – 6 mins from us
M | T | W | T | F | S – 10am – 5pm
Sunday & Public Holidays – 11am – 5pm
Mitolo tasting room offers three structured tasting experiences, each served with delicious accompaniments from the venue’s chef Tom Jack. Expertly guided in the tasting room by members of the Mitolo family, guests are taken on a journey through the Mitolo range, telling the story of each wine.
T: 08 8323 9304
A: 141 McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale – 6 mins from us.
Daily: 10am – 5pm
Fancy a cold one? If you want a break from the wine or you just love beer, pop by this micro brewery and taste their Christmas Ale (Christmas time only), Pale Ale, Pilsner, Stout and Wheat Beer in a lovely location and relaxed atmosphere with a big grass area for the kids!
W: www.goodiesonbrewery.com.au
T: 0409 676 542
A: 194 Sand Road, McLaren Vale – 7 mins from us
Daily: 11am – 5.30pm
This lovely little cellar door is set in the McCarthy’s family orchard. The pear and apple ciders are excellent, the pear being a little less sweet. Platters and small bites can be purchased and there’s a play area for kids. There’s also an “honesty” cool room where you can purchase fresh fruit, this is open 24/7.
T: 0400 155 099
A: Cnr Sand & Hunt Roads, McLaren Vale – 4 mins from us.
S | S: 12am – 5pm
This really exciting venture into single cask single malt whisky really has to be included in any McLaren Vale visit. Tours, whisky and food dinners, whisky and food classes, whisky master classes or how about a bespoke whisky experience in this stunning setting high above McLaren Vale.
W: www.themclarenvaledistillery.com.au
T: 0429 912 398
A: 725 Chapel Hill Road, McLaren Vale – 7 mins from us
Daily: 10am – 4.30pm