Just 40 km south of Adelaide, the picturesque McLaren Vale is Australian wine country at its finest. With over 80 cellar doors and a winemaking heritage dating back to 1838, this region balances time-honoured traditions with boundary-pushing innovation, resulting in some of the coolest wineries in South Australia.
Unlike Adelaide Hills, its chillier neighbor, McLaren Vale’s almost-Mediterranean climate produces bold Shiraz, vibrant Grenache, and increasingly, Italian and Spanish varieties that thrive in its unique terroir. But there’s plenty more to this region than just wine – read on to discover the ultimate guide to McLaren Vale.
The Best McLaren Vale Wineries & Distilleries
Hugh Hamilton Wines
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Hugh Hamilton Wines, AKA the Black Sheep of the Australian wine industry, represents five generations and over 180 years of family winemaking. The institution is one of Australia’s oldest.
The stunning tasting room floats above the vineyards, offering 270-degree views across McLaren Vale through dramatic curved glass walls. This is the perfect backdrop for sampling their eclectic range of wines, which includes both classic varieties and more unusual offerings like Saperavi and Tempranillo.
Their restaurant takes full advantage of those killer views, serving seasonal share plates featuring local produce. The signature “Black Sheep Experience” offers a guided tasting journey through their premium wines paired with matched morsels.
Specialties: Storied history, premium blends, spectacular vineyard views
d’Arenberg
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No visit to McLaren Vale is complete without experiencing the iconic d’Arenberg Cube. This five-storey architectural marvel houses not just a cellar door but a contemporary art museum, alternative realities museum, and the acclaimed d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant.
The family-owned winery, established in 1912, produces over 60 wines from 30+ varieties. Their famous Dead Arm Shiraz showcases the intense flavors that put McLaren Vale on the global wine map. For something different, join their Blending Bench experience where you can create a custom wine to take home.
Don’t miss the Salvador Dali exhibition on the ground floor – a perfect reflection of the winery’s creative, boundary-pushing philosophy.
Specialties: Alternative varieties, immersive tasting experiences, century-old vine Shiraz
Swell Brewing Co.
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Vine meets coastline at Swell Brewing Co. This craft brewery represents the region’s newer generation of producers, founded by Dan and Corrina Wright, who also own McLaren Vale’s esteemed Oracle Vineyards.
The brewery’s origin story perfectly embodies the region’s laid-back coastal influence – after a surf trip to America’s craft beer hotspots, the couple decided to expand from wine into brewing. Today, their spacious venue offers sprawling lawns, a playground, and regular live music.
Their core range of beers includes the popular Golden Ale and a refreshing Cloudy Apple Cider, while seasonal releases often incorporate wine industry techniques or local ingredients. The kitchen serves up beer-friendly fare focusing on wood-fired pizzas and American-style barbecue.
Specialties: Craft beers, woodfired pizza, family-friendly venue with live music
Want to visit Hugh Hamilton Wines, d’Arenberg, and Swell Brewery (& more!) in the northern region of McLaren Vale? Book our epic McLaren Vale North Hop On Hop Off Wine Tour.
Wirra Wirra
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Housed inside an ironstone building dating back to 1894, Wirra Wirra embodies McLaren Vale’s perfect balance of heritage and innovation. Their biodynamic practices result in wines with exceptional regional character.
Best known for their Church Block red blend (a McLaren Vale staple), Wirra Wirra offers relaxed seated tastings that showcase their impressive range. Try their Harry’s Deli for a casual lunch, or pre-book the Trott’s Table experience for a four-course regional feast paired with museum wines.
Specialties: Church Block blend, biodynamic wines
Oxenberry Farm
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Tucked at the start of the Shiraz Trail, Oxenberry Farm offers a classic wine tasting experience. Hidden away in McLaren Vale’s oldest stone cottage, this spot is ideal for wine lovers looking for a laidback setting.
The cellar door pours easy-drinking, approachable wines with a focus on classic McLaren Vale reds and crisp whites. Their fortifieds are a local secret worth seeking out.
Beyond the wines, Oxenberry is known for its all-day café, serving hearty breakfasts, wood-fired pizzas, and house-made desserts, all best enjoyed on the sunny verandah overlooking the vineyards.
Specialties: Shiraz, fortified wines, casual café dining, historic setting
Never Never Distilling Co.
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In a region dominated by wineries, Never Never Distilling Co. offers a refreshingly different experience with their world-class gins in a spectacular hillside setting. Sharing space with Chalk Hill Wines and Cucina Di Strada, this collaborative venue delivers a triple threat of exceptional drinks and food.
Never Never’s striking modern distillery and tasting room features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking olive groves and vineyards. Their award-winning Triple Juniper Gin has earned global acclaim, even taking out World’s Best Classic Gin in 2019 – no small feat for an Australian newcomer.
Pair your gin flight with Italian street food from Cucina Di Strada’s kitchen – think wood-fired pizzas and handmade pasta. And don’t miss Chalk Hill’s Mediterranean varietal wines to complete your tasting experience – their Barbera and Fiano particularly shine.
Specialties: Award-winning gins, gin cocktail masterclasses, Italian street food
Down the Rabbit Hole
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Down the Rabbit Hole is as much an experience as it is a winery – think coastal boho vibes, plush daybeds, and a turquoise double-decker bus turned tasting room. Yes, really. This boutique winery invites you to slow down and sip thoughtfully.
Tastings are guided and personal, often led by the owners themselves, and focus on small-batch, sustainably made wines with personality and story. Their Mediterranean varieties shine, especially the Tempranillo and Vermentino.
Pair your tasting with a long lunch on the lawn, complete with seasonal platters, live music, and incredible vineyard views.
Specialties: Tempranillo, Vermentino, small-batch wines, immersive tastings
Want to visit Down the Rabbit Hole, Never Never Distilling Co. and more wineries in the southern region of McLaren Vale? Book our fun McLaren Vale South Hop On Hop Off Wine Tour.
Alpha Box & Dice
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For something completely different, visit the quirky Alpha Box & Dice. Operating from a converted stable, this experimental winery has created a unique “alphabet of wine” – 26 different wines, each representing a letter.
Their eclectic tasting room feels more like a bohemian living room than a cellar door, with vintage furniture, taxidermy, and vinyl records setting a hipster tone. The wines are equally unconventional, ranging from skin-contact white wines to unusual blends and forgotten varieties. Their Tarot Tasting is a unique offering you won’t find anywhere else.
Specialties: Natural wines, unconventional blends, artistic label designs
Yangarra Estate
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The sprawling Yangarra Estate stands as a beacon of biodynamic winemaking excellence. This certified organic estate focuses exclusively on varieties native to the southern Rhône Valley of France, cultivated in sandy soils that produce remarkable wines.
The understated cellar door occupies a renovated homestead with sweeping views across their ancient bush vine Grenache plantings, some dating back to 1946.
For something truly special, we urge you to book the Unlocked experience, which includes vineyard and winery tours followed by a private tasting with rare museum releases.
Specialties: Southern Rhône varieties, biodynamic practices
Top McLaren Vale Restaurants
The Currant Shed
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Situated in a 100-year-old building that once dried currants for the early settlers, The Currant Shed is now one of McLaren Vale’s hottest spots. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase kitchen gardens that supply much of the restaurant’s produce.
The seasonal menu changes regularly, but expect sophisticated dishes that pair perfectly with the lengthy wine list. Book well in advance – with just 14 tables, this intimate dining experience fills quickly.
Specialties: Garden-to-plate cuisine, Australian ingredients, intimate dining atmosphere
Pizzateca
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Fancy a slice? In a region filled with refined dining options, Pizzateca offers something refreshingly casual: wood-fired pizzas with thin, blistered crusts and simple, quality toppings.
The Mitolo family recipes extend beyond pizza to include homestyle antipasti, hand-rolled pasta, and traditional Italian desserts. We think the restaurant’s lively atmosphere and communal tables are perfect for long, lazy lunches.
Pssst… don’t skip a scoop or two at the neighbouring Gelateca. It serves up some of the tastiest gelato in McLaren Vale.
Specialties: Authentic Italian pizzas, family recipes, delicious gelato
Salopian Inn
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Salopian Inn stands as one of McLaren Vale’s culinary landmarks. Under the guidance of chef-owner Karena Armstrong, this destination restaurant blends Asian influences with hyper-local South Australian produce.
The menu changes with the seasons and garden harvests, but might include dumplings with regional seafood, house-made kimchi, or slow-cooked local meats with native Australian herbs.
The restaurant’s gin bar has achieved legendary status, boasting more than 200 varieties from around the world. Ask for the dedicated gin menu and let the knowledgeable staff guide you.
Specialties: Hyper-local produce, Asian-Australian fusion, extensive gin collection
Other McLaren Vale Attractions
Willunga Farmers Market
Every Saturday morning since 2002, the Willunga Farmers Market has been the beating heart of McLaren Vale’s food culture. Over 80 local producers gather to sell everything from just-picked seasonal produce to artisanal cheeses, freshly baked sourdough, and small-batch preserves.
Start your market morning with a locally roasted coffee and a flaky pastry, and thank us later.
The market is open year-round, 8 am to 12:30 pm.
The Shiraz Trail
This 9km shared path connects McLaren Vale and Willunga along a former railway line, offering an easy, car-free way to experience the region’s landscape. Walking the full trail takes about 2 hours, while cycling cuts the journey to 30-45 minutes.
Along the route, you’ll pass several wineries with cellar doors accessible directly from the trail, including Primo Estate and Hugo Wines. Bike hire is available in the town, making this an ideal way to sample wines without driving. Pack a picnic or plan stops at wineries along the way.
Where to Stay in McLaren Vale
There are plenty of swoonworthy places to bed down in the McLaren Vale region – from cosy B&Bs to sprawling hotels with vineyard views. Not sure where to start? We adore The Vineyard Retreat, a boutique option on the fringes of McLaren Flat.
Serafino offers an equally beautiful experience, with an onsite swimming pool and a cellar door that rivals some of the best in the region. Or, for somewhere a little more low-key, Mulberry Lodge serves up a country retreat in picturesque surroundings.
Best Time to Visit McLaren Vale
Summer (December to February) is a popular time to visit. The region hums with activity as temperatures climb past 30°C and vines hang heavy with ripening fruit. Wineries host open-air concerts, long-table feasts, and lively cellar door events.
However, we think spring and autumn are the best times to soak up McLaren Vale’s beauty. In spring, the vineyards burst to life with fresh green shoots and wildflowers, while milder temperatures make it perfect for outdoor tastings and vineyard strolls. It’s a quieter, more intimate time to visit, with fewer crowds and vibrant landscapes along the Shiraz Trail.
Autumn delivers harvest season magic — golden vineyards, crisp air, and the chance to witness winemaking in full swing, often with behind-the-scenes tours and sunset views to match.
