Never have I been more enamoured and captivated by the wines of McLaren Vale. Leave your expectations at the door, for McLaren Vale has a whole new groove. Since the time of the original inhabitants, the Kaurna people, who made the coastlines of the Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsulas their home more than 7000 years ago, this land has been revered. Just a 45-minute drive from Adelaide, you’ll find yourself in a coastal haven where the temperate Mediterranean climate benefits from strong maritime influences of the sea. Bordered by metropolitan Adelaide to the north, the Mt Lofty Ranges to the southeast, and the broad Gulf St Vincent to the west, McLaren Vale is arguably now recognised as South Australia’s most dynamic wine region.

Today, it’s a region of sprawling beaches, rugged shorelines, and rolling hills dotted with some of the finest wineries and cellar doors. The warm summers, moderate winters and winter-dominant rainfall make it an ideal place for the vine to flourish. With over 180 years of rich winemaking history, McLaren Vale has firmly established itself as one of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions.

Free from phylloxera and renowned for its innovative, sustainable, and forward thinking viticulture, McLaren Vale is leading the way in contemporary Australian winemaking. Sixty-five per cent of the region’s annual water demand is from a sustainable source, and it stands today as the most environmentally sustainable wine grape growing region in Australia. So, too, is how the region’s winemakers are making judicious decisions when it comes to the choice of maturation vessel. Fewer new oak applications make way for amphora and concrete tulips,stainless steel and seasoned puncheons. Precision in fruit picking times is key, and the subtle nuances of each unique site and terroir shine through in the final wines, creating expressions that are both authentic and compelling.

With its blend of ancient soils and well-established vineyards, McLaren Vale is embracing new, progressive varietals from fiano, chenin blanc, tempranillo and nero d’Avola while continuing to showcase mastery with the classic grapes shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, and chardonnay.

The 2023 vintages showcased perfume and finite elegance compared to the richer, weightier and more powerfully built wines of 2022 and 2021. With the ease and alluring grace that Grenache encompasses, it was a standout variety. The select white wines of the region conveyed the considerate layering of texture, highlighting the efforts to make the wines tactile and with perceivable palate density. It must be noted, though, that McLaren Vale’s Grenache deserves a seat at the top table of international wines. 

The region, stretching over 30 kilometres, is rich in meso- and micro-climates, creating the perfect canvas for an impressive array of bottlings. From the ethereal perfumes of Blewitt Springs to the bold structure of Clarendon, McLaren Vale’s Grenache has become a world-class standout, taking the lead in both consistent quality and distinction. In McLaren Vale, history, creativity, and nature’s beauty combine to create one of Australia’s most vibrant wine regions with over 90 cellar doors. The region is producing wines that captivate both the classicist and the modern enthusiast. From world-class Grenache to new, daring varieties, McLaren Vale offers a unique experience for those in search of quality, character, and adventure.