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With its idyllic Mediterranean-style climate, proximity to stunning beaches and wealth of food, wine and hospitality experiences, McLaren Vale is the perfect destination for a quick get away or luxurious weekend stay.
Download a map of the vale
McLaren Vale has the warmth and feel of a country town, with the distinct advantage of being 40 minutes from South Australia’s Capital city, Adelaide.
McLaren Vale is one of Australia’s renowned wine regions, famous for producing some the best wines in the world, and with over 65 cellar doors. The region is thriving, and the energy and passion of the local community is infectious.
The region’s artisans are passionate about the food, wine and culture of the area, and this is evidenced in the genuine hospitality offered by McLaren Vale’s tourism operators.
The area is only minutes away from the stunning coastline and beaches that influence so much of our lifestyle, culture and primary production. Our neighbouring townships – Willunga, Aldinga, Port Noarlunga offer visitors a unique experience rich in history, artisan craftsmanship and culture.
Indigenous Australians, the Kaurna people lived in and travelled through the land of what is now McLaren Vae for thousands of generations.
The right honourable John, Earl of St Vincent, was the first Lord of the Admiralty who supported Matthew Flinders 1801 journey to chart Australia’s South Coast. The Gulf of St Vincent is named in his honour.
McLaren Vale was named after David McLaren, the Colonial Manager of the South Australia Company, who arrived in the colony in 1837. He surveyed the area in 1839.
John Reynell is credited as being the first to establish a vineyard in the southern areas of Adelaide. He commenced vine planting in 1838 at 'Reynella'.
The township of Willunga was established in 1839 and was first used as resting place for travellers between Adelaide and the South.
A period of rapid vineyard growth occurred in 1845 in the McLaren Vale area. A selection of prominent Adelaide practitioners, including Dr Rawson Penfold, established vineyards during this time.
English immigrant Thomas Hardy planted his first vines in 1853.
Thomas Hardy created history and shipped his first vintage to England in 1857.
Dr Alexander C Kelly formed Tintara Vineyard Company in 1861 on 280ha of land at what is now McLaren Vale.
In 1876 Thomas Hardy purchased Dr Kelly’s Tintara Winery and Vineyard. Famously joining Hardy and Tintara Vineyards.
In 1890, Herbert and Frederick Kay purchased the 133ha Amery Property. In just 4 years the Kay Brothers has planted 100 acres of vines, built a winery and produced their first 9100 litres of wine.
In 1892 Alexander C Johnston began planting vines on the 98ha Pirramimma property. He named his land Pirramimma, an Aboriginal phrase meaning “the moon and the stars”. After developing the ‘Johnson Prolific’ strain of almond, which began the commonly used variety in Adelaide, he gradually used more of the land as vineyard.
By 1911 there were 123acres of vineyards at the Amery Property and the Kay Brothers bought additional grapes from local growers, vintaging 230 000 litres. Kay’s is the oldest McLaren Vale winery still in founding family hands with third generation Colin Kay continuing the family tradition.
The d’Arenberg winery was established by the Milton family in the 1890’s and purchased by Joseph Osborn in 1912.
In 1943 Joseph Osborn’s grandson Francis d’Arenberg, universally known as ‘d’Arry’ returned from school aged 16 to help his ill father run the business. He eventually assumed full management of d’Arenberg in 1957.
D’Arry labelled the first of the famous diagonal red stripe labelled wines at d’Arenberg.
Coriole was founded by the Lloyd family in 1967.
Pertaringa Vineyard was established. It was purchased in 1980 by owners Geoff Hardy and Ian Leask.
Professor Tom Nelson established the winery Chapel Hill and restored the Chapel. The Retreat was later built in 2004.
The Scarpantoni Estate winery was built on the old school site in McLaren Flat.
Geoff Merrill purchased heritage listed Mount Hurtle Winery. It took only 2 years to restore the rundown winery to its former state.
Tony & Susie Parkinson purchased 32ha of land in McLaren Vale and named the vineyard ‘Penny’s Hill’ as it sits at the base of Penny’s Hill.
Hugh Hamilton, a 5th generation Hamilton winemaker went out on his own to establish Hugh Hamilton Wines
Rosemount Estate purchases a 100 year-old winery in McLaren Vale.
Australian family owned Tyrrell’s Wines purchased an 85 acre vineyard at the Willunga foothills in 1994, after producing wine from McLaren Vale grapes for over 20 years.
The original d’Arenberg homestead is renovated and extended to include a restaurant, aptly named ‘d’Arry’s Verandah’
Sabella Vineyards were established.
Ben Riggs launched the brand Mr. Riggs in association with Penny’s Hill.
d’Arry, of d’Arenberg is awarded the Queen’s Medal of the Order of Australia for his contribution to the wine industry and McLaren Vale region.
Mollydooker was founded by well-known local winemakers Sarah and Sparky Markwis.
At the age of 70, and after a life time of winemaking within the district, Graham Stevens and daughter Carolyn opened Graham Stevens Wines at McLaren Flat.
Winter in the Vale kicks off with the annual Sea and Vines Festival in June. Most of the year’s rain falls in winter, grey storms roll in from the coast and smother the hills in clouds. You would think that the rain would dampen the spirits of the locals, quite the contrary a wet day in the vineyard means its time to go out and have some fun! Rain is celebrated. Good winter rainfall means irrigation can be kept to a low level and manipulated to achieve the production of superior fruit through out the rest of the year.
The weather in spring is best described as fresh. The district looks very fresh with grasses and flowers growing after the winter rains. The weather is fresh too, with cool mornings turning into warm afternoons.
Generally temperatures range between 10°C at night to 25°C. November days will start to climb above 30°C, and the vineyards start to rapidly grow shoots in response.
Summer has very low humidity causing locals to remark… don’t worry it’s a dry heat!
It is common to have nothing but clear sunny days between December and February. The lack of any bad weather is great for grape growing and holiday making. Dry sunny weather helps viticulture by producing ripe grapes. The heat is cooled by breezes off the surrounding ocean, and also the 'Gully Winds' from the Hills. This makes for a smooth ripening season during which time the grapes accumulate flavour and intensity. (and they help cool down the vineyard workers!)
The region's warm dry weather through March and April gives an easy change between summer and winter. It is gentle with long warm days and short cool nights. Grape pickers working in the vineyards start their days in jumpers and end them in shirt sleeves.
The locals call it an Indian summer. Winemakers call it vintage. Autumn is McLaren Vale’s busiest time of the year.
Our lives here are governed by the rhythms of the seasons, the food is good, fresh and full of flavour.
We are farmers first and everything flows from that.
Winemaking in McLaren Vale is an absolute lifestyle proposition. There is an evocative food, wine and people culture that mingles together to form the unique personality and fabric of McLaren Vale.
Michael Fragos, Winemaker, DJ
Wine
McLaren Vale wines are distinguished by their ripeness and elegance.
Shiraz is by far the most important variety for the region, accounting for about 50% of the total crush. Not surprisingly it is what we are best known for. Every winery makes a Shiraz, or two, or three or four. The region’s moderate climate and diverse terroir means no two are alike…
Then there are Shiraz blends, with Grenache, Mourvedre, Viognier. In fact you could live your life drinking nothing but
McLaren Vale Shiraz and variations… Go on, we dare you! Alright, even the most one-eyed local doesn’t just drink Shiraz. We are open minded...
The same conditions that are good for Shiraz are good for alternatives. The region also excels at producing Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Tempranillo is gaining attention and experimentation with varieties such as Viognier, Marsanne, Rousanne, Barbera and Sangiovese have caused stir.
Everything
Else
The weekend Farmer’s Market in Willunga will get you hand-made breads, tarts, traditional cured and smoked meats, rich chocolate and seasonal fruit and vegies straight from the fields. Throw in the smells of fresh brewed coffee, freshly picked flowers and you will be in gourmand heaven.
Want the inside info? Ask a local. Our B&B hosts, cellar door people and all of our "experts in the field" will give you their 'must do' list!
We are a talented bunch, if we do say so ourselves. If you can grow top grapes you can grow top olives. We really have
to show discipline and not eat all of them because we need the oil. Once you have enough olive oil you need bread. What goes well with bread? Well, cheese. We do cheese too. Then there are relishes, sauces. Do you like almonds? No problems, we have 50 year old almond trees with beautiful, flavoursome nuts that leave what you buy in the shops for dead.
If you are handy with a fishing rod and a frying pan you may not need one of our talented chefs to do it for you. You can pick up local cheese’s, olives, almonds, garden spices, dips, chutneys, home made pasta and that is just in the main street of the Vale.
In 1802 the English navigator, Matthew Flinders, and the French explorer, Nicolas Baudin, mapped the southern coast of Australia. They met at a point just off the mouth of the Murray River. This historic meeting has been recorded in the naming of Encounter Bay.
The Mount Lofty Ranges dominate the central highlands of the Peninsula, whilst gorges split the landscape with the Onkaparinga River National Park a beautiful example. The coloured cliffs of Aldinga Bay contrast dramatically with the sheer cliffs that drop sharply to the waters of Yankalilla Bay and the Southern Ocean. To the east the landscape changes to undulating plains, Lake Alexandrina, the wetland lagoons of the Coorong, and finally the mouth of the Murray River.
McLaren Vale has forged a reputation as a gourmet hot spot in South Australia, and for many a good reason. A handful of restaurateurs have worked tirelessly for the region.
From the CBD of Adelaide take Anzac Highway to Glenelg (A5) until it crosses Main South Rd (A13). Turn left onto Main South Rd (A13), the sign says Noarlunga, and travel south. Continue along Main South Rd (A13) until Darlington. At Darlington during certain times of the day you can access the Southern Expressway (M2) this speeds the journey by 10 mins. Whether via the Expressway or Main South Rd you will arrive at Noarlunga. Follow the signs to Victor Harbor (and McLaren Vale) and stay on the A13. You will come up a hill and down into the McLaren Vale wine region! At the bottom of the hill the sign for the main street is clearly marked as a turn off on the left.
The train service to Noarlunga centre is currently inactive, but trains usually depart Adelaide Railway Station in North Terrace for Noarlunga Centre every 25 mins. (Mon-Sat) and every half hour on Sundays. It is a 35 min journey to Noarlunga. Buses leave regularly from Noarlunga Centre and these will bring you to the doors of the McLaren Vale Visitor Centre (Route 751). For a timetable see www.transitsa.com
Premier Coachlines offer a direct bus service from the Adelaide Bus Terminal travelling via McLaren Vale and Willunga to Victor Harbor. Daily service for more information. www.premierstateliner.com.au/express.html
For the more active who would like to cycle to the region, Adelaide and environs has excellent dedicated bike lanes. A bike trail runs parallel to the Southern Freeway from Bedford park to Noarlunga Centre and then on to McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Visitor Centre. Cyclists can pick up the trail again to Willunga via the 'former railway line'.
McLaren Vale stands at the gateway to the Fleurieu Peninsula with it’s wide variety of attractions including places to stay, regional produce, surf beaches, natural attractions and unique wildlife.
There is always something going on, too many to list but it you absolutely must ask, this is what we call essential...
The McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Visitor Information Centre is strategically located on the Main Road at the entrance to McLaren Vale. Just on the left-hand side as you turn into town.
We are the home to the experts on the region. You get lost? We help you! Overwhelmed by choice? We help you!
Take advantage of the free accommodation and tour booking service offered for all your holiday and conference needs, or to book your accommodation online click here. We also host ever changing art exhibitions and displays. Browse the Centre's gift shop stocked with a wide range of local produce and craft.
If you are looking for a venue for your next function, conference or product launch, there is a theatre available for hire.
Set on 12 hectares of extensive grounds the centre features its own vineyard, lake, linear park and landscaped gardens showcasing regional floriculture. The building itself is a focal point with rammed earth walls, 100 year old timbers, and local stone and slate all combining to make an architecturally unique structure.
Come on in and Say hello!
Main Road McLAREN VALE, SA 5171
Telephone: 08 8323 9944
Fax: 08 8323 9949
Email: visitorcentre@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au
Monday to Friday:
- 9am to 5pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays:
- 10am to 4pm
Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday.
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