Mclaren Vale Wine Region

The McLaren Vale Wine Region is blessed with a wonderful climate for viticulture. it has rolling hills and a variety of suitable soils for grapegrowing and the cooling influence of the Southern Ocean.

the location

McLaren Vale is located just south of Adelaide in South Australia.

It is part of the Fleurieu Zone along with the Currency Creek, Langhorne Creek, Kangaroo Island and Southern Fleurieu wine regions.

Situated on rolling plains between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the sea, the area is warm enough to ripen almost all varieties, but the maritime influence tempers the worst of the summer heat. No wonder there are more than a hundred wineries operating in the region, and most are producing excellent wine.

The climate also suits olives and a few wineries have a sideline of producing olive oil.

The location so close to the State capital is a mixed blessing.  While it is easy for visitors to come from Adelaide the region is under threat of being encroached on by suburban development from nearby Adelaide.

View over McLaren Vale from the Cellar door and Restaurant at Beach Road Wines

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Wine varieties in Mclaren Vale

The benign viticultural environment here is suitable for many varieties and until recently the region was best known for its red wines, notably Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon as well its Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre (GSM) blends. 

But now the region is abuzz with a whole range of new varieties. In the 1990s a few wineries such as Coriole broke out of the traditional mould and started producing wine from Italian varieties notably Sangiovese. Early in the current century a whole new wave of alternative varieties have been introduced and are now flourishing.

For example, Coriole were the first winery to release Fiano in Australia, while their neighbours at Olivers Taranga Vineyards are the first Australian producers of the Galician variety Mencia. Coriole is also among the first producers of the Picpoul variety.

McLaren Vale now has an amazing culture of innovative winemakers introducing many new varieties, new winemaking techniques (or reviving ancient ones like amphora fermentation) and creating groundbreaking marketing methods.

• Aldinga Bay McLaren Vale Barbera, Petit Verdot, Nebbiolo, Ruby Cabernet, Sangiovese, Vermentino
• Alpha Box and Dice McLaren Vale Barbera, Carignan, Dolcetto, Montepulciano, Muscadelle, Nebbiolo, Negramoll, Nero d'Avola, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
• Aphelion McLaren Vale Chenin Blanc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Nero d'Avola, Sagrantino
• Battle of Bosworth Wines McLaren Vale Graciano, Petit Verdot, Touriga
• Beach Road McLaren Vale Aglianico, Greco, Fiano, Montepulciano, Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot, Vermentino, Zinfandel
• Beechtree Wines McLaren Vale Arneis, Marsanne, Petit Verdot
• Bent Creek Vineyards McLaren Vale Tempranillo
• Berg Herring McLaren Vale Barbera, Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Nero d'Avola, Saperavi, Touriga, Vermentino
• Big Easy Radio McLaren Vale Fiano, Malbec, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Touriga, Vermentino
• Blewitt Springs McLaren Vale Barbera, Tempranillo
• Bondar Wines McLaren Vale Carignan, Cinsaut, Counoise, Fiano, Nero d'Avola
• Brash Higgins McLaren Vale Carignan, Chenin Blanc, Cinsaut, Crystal, Nero d'Avola
• Brini Estate McLaren Vale Chenin Blanc
• By Fabiano McLaren Vale Fiano, Greco, Zinfandel
• Byrne and Smith McLaren Vale Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo
• Camwell Wines McLaren Vale Nero d'Avola, Vermentino
• Cape Barren Wines McLaren Vale Gruner Veltliner, Tempranillo
• Chalk Hill Winery McLaren Vale Arneis, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Fiano, Graciano, Gruner Veltliner, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Savagnin, Tempranillo, Vermentino
• Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Nero d'Avola, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Savagnin, Tempranillo, Vermentino
• Coates Wines McLaren Vale Malbec, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Touriga
• Conte Estate Wines McLaren Vale Aglianico, Gewurztraminer, Lagrein, Vermentino
• Coriole McLaren Vale Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Montepulciano, Negroamaro, Nero d'Avola, Picpoul, Sangiovese
• Cradle of Hills McLaren Vale Aglianico, Cinsaut, Fiano
• Cragg Cru McLaren Vale Fiano, Touriga
• Curtis Family Vineyards McLaren Vale Durif
• D'Arenberg McLaren Vale Aglianico, Arneis, Chambourcin, Cinsaut, Fiano, Marsanne, Mencia, Petit Verdot, Roussanne, Sagrantino, Souzao, Tempranillo, Tinto Cao
• Dabblebrook Wines McLaren Vale Grenache Blanc
• Doc Adams McLaren Vale Savagnin, Tempranillo
• Dodgy Brothers McLaren Vale Cabernet Franc, Fiano, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
• Dog Ridge McLaren Vale Petit Verdot, Sangiovese
• Dowie Doole McLaren Vale Aglianico, Chenin Blanc, Graciano, Lagrein, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Vermentino
• Dr Plonk McLaren Vale Carignan, Montepulciano, Tannat
• Dune McLaren Vale Carignan, Cinsaut, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Montepulciano, Negroamaro, Nero d'Avola, Picpoul, Sangiovese, Touriga
• ess&see McLaren Vale Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Vermentino
• Fell Wines McLaren Vale Fiano, Sangiovese, Touriga
• Five Geese Hillgrove Wines McLaren Vale Nero d’Avola
• Five O’Clock Somewhere McLaren Vale Barbera, Durif, Montepulciano, Nero d’Avola, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Tannat, Touriga, Vermentino
• Foggo Wines McLaren Vale Cinsaut
• Fox Creek Wines McLaren Vale Nero d’Avola, Pecorino, Tempranillo, Vermentino
• Geddes Wines McLaren Vale Carignan, Petit Verdot, Roussanne
• Gemtree Vineyards McLaren Vale Albarino, Savagnin, Tempranillo
• Geoff Merrill McLaren Vale Sangiovese
• Gilligan McLaren Vale Marsanne, Roussanne
• Good Doctor Wine Group McLaren Vale Montepulciano, Tannat
• Graham Stevens Wines McLaren Vale Tempranillo
• Hancock and Hancock McLaren Vale Touriga
• Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy McLaren Vale Fiano, Graciano, Lagrein, Roussanne, Savagnin, Tannat, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Zinfandel
• Haselgrove McLaren Vale Fiano, Montepulciano, Fiano
• Hastwell and Lightfoot McLaren Vale Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Vermentino
• Head in the Clouds McLaren Vale Graciano, Zinfandel
• Hedonist McLaren Vale Fiano, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
• Heirloom Vineyards McLaren Vale Tempranillo, Touriga
• Hither and Yon McLaren Vale Aglianico, Carignan, Malbec, Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Tempranillo, Touriga, Vermentino
• Hugh Hamilton McLaren Vale Montepulciano, Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Saperavi, Tempranillo
• Hugo Wines McLaren Vale Fiano, Nero d'Avola Tempranillo
• Hustle and Vine McLaren Vale Sangiovese
• In Praise of Shadows McLaren Vale Graciano, Tempranillo, Touriga
• Inkwell McLaren Vale Arinto, Tempranillo, Zinfandel
• Ivybrook Farm McLaren Vale Mencia, Tempranillo, Touriga
• Justoposed McLaren Vale Fiano, Sangiovese
• Kangarilla Road McLaren Vale Fiano, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Savagnin, Negramoll, Vermentino, Zinfandel
• Kay Bros Amery McLaren Vale Nero d'Avola
• Koltz McLaren Vale Sagrantino, Sangiovese
• Koomilya McLaren Vale Graciano, Tempranillo, Touriga
• La Curio McLaren Vale Aglianico, Sangiovese, Zinfandel
• La Madrina McLaren Vale Arneis, Carignan, Montepulciano
• Larnook McLaren Vale Grenache Gris, Tempranillo
• Lino Ramble McLaren Vale Arinto, Bastardo, Fiano, Grillo, Marsanne, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Nero d'Avola, Roussanne, Saperavi
• Lloyd Brothers McLaren Vale Picpoul
• Loom McLaren Vale Gruner Veltliner
• Love + Glory McLaren Vale Tempranillo, Vermentino
• Macaulay Wines McLaren Vale Picpoul
• Maximus Wines McLaren Vale Graciano, Tempranillo
• Maxwell Wines McLaren Vale Fiano, Grenache Blanc, Nero d'Avola, Malbec, Touriga
• Mazi Wines McLaren Vale Cinsaut, Mavodaphne
• McCarthy's Orchard McLaren Vale Nero d'Avola
• Middlebrook Estate McLaren Vale Barbera, Sangiovese
• Ministry of Clouds McLaren Vale Carignan, Gamay, Mencia, Picpoul, Tempranillo
• Mitolo McLaren Vale Malbec, Nero d'Avola, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Vermentino
• MMAD McLaren Vale Chenin Blanc
• Monterra Wines McLaren Vale Nero d'Avola, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
• Mr Riggs Wine Company McLaren Vale Montepulciano, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
• Nashwauk McLaren Vale Tempranillo
• Olivers Taranga McLaren Vale Fiano, Mencia, Sagrantino, Tempranillo, Touriga, Vermentino
• Orbis McLaren Vale Albarino, Bastardo, Fiano, Grenache Blanc, Montepulciano, Nero d'Avola, Tempranillo
• Ox Hardy Wines McLaren Vale Fiano
• Oxenbury Farm McLaren Vale Tempranillo, Vermentino
• Patritti Wines McLaren Vale Arneis, Barbera, Moscato, Savagnin, Saperavi, Trincadeira, Vermentino
• Paxton McLaren Vale Graciano, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
• Pertaringa McLaren Vale Aglianico, Graciano, Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Tempranillo
• Pirramimma McLaren Vale Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Zinfandel
• Possums Vineyard McLaren Vale Malbec
• Primo Estate McLaren Vale Barbera, Colombard, Garganega, Nebbiolo, Pecorino, Sangiovese
• Renards Folly McLaren Vale Sangiovese
• Richard Hamilton Wines McLaren Vale Marsanne, Roussanne
• Rouleur McLaren Vale Nero d'Avola
• Rudderless Wines McLaren Vale Graciano, Malbec
• Sabella Wines McLaren Vale Aglianico, Colorino, Nero d'Avola
• Saltfleet McLaren Vale Sangiovese, Touriga
• Samson Tall McLaren Vale Cinsaut, Grenache Blanc, Picpoul, Tempranillo
• Samuels Gorge McLaren Vale Carignan, Graciano, Gruner, Veltliner, Nero d'Avola, Tempranillo
• SC Pannell McLaren Vale Aglianico, Barbera, Fiano, Malbec, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Nero d'Avola, Tempranillo, Tinto Cao, Touriga
• Scarpantoni Estate McLaren Vale Aglianico, Barbera, Chenin Blanc, Durif, Gamay, Montepulciano, Nero d'Avola, Pinot Blanc, Vermentino
• Seldom In McLaren Vale Carignan, Roussanne
• Selleck's Hill Wines McLaren Vale Greco
• Serafino Wines McLaren Vale Barbera, Carmenere, Fiano, Lagrein, Malbec, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Tinto Cao, Vermentino, Zinfandel
• Sew and Sew McLaren Vale Aglianico, Fiano, Nero d'Avola
• Sherrah McLaren Vale Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Nero d'Avola, Tempranillo
• Shingleback McLaren Vale Fiano, Tempranillo
• Silent Noise Mclaren Vale Fiano, Montepulciano, Nero d'Avola, Zinfandel
• Smidge Wines Mclaren Vale Gruner Veltliner, Montepulciano, Nero d'Avola, Saperavi
• Somos Aglianico, Albarino, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Fiano, Mencia, Meunier, Nero Di Troia, Pecorino, Vermentino
• Tapestry McLaren Vale Touriga
• Thistledown McLaren Vale Aglianico, Fiano, Grenache Blanc, Montepulciano, Nero d'Avola, Roussanne
• Three Dark Horses McLaren Vale Touriga
• Ulithorne McLaren Vale Marsanne, Graciano, Tempranillo
• Varney Wines McLaren Vale Fiano, Mencia, Nebbiolo, Touriga, Vermentino
• Vasarelli McLaren Vale Cabernet Franc, Prosecco, Sangiovese, Vermentino
• Vigna Bottin McLaren Vale Barbera, Fiano, Nero d'Avola, Sangiovese, Vermentino
• Way Wood Wines McLaren Vale Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
• Willunga 100 Wines McLaren Vale Tempranillo
• Wirra Wirra McLaren Vale Tempranillo, Touriga
• Woodstock McLaren Vale Dolcetto, Fiano, Lagrein, Montepulciano, Tempranillo
• Yangarra Estate McLaren Vale Bourboulenc, Carignan, Cinsaut, Clairette, Cournoise, Graciano, Grenache Blanc, Picpoul, Roussanne, Tempranillo, Terret Noir, Vaccarese
• Zerella (la Gita) McLaren Vale Arneis, Barbera, Fiano, Nero d’Avola, Sangiovese
• Zonte's Footstep McLaren Vale Lagrein, Malbec, Prosecco, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Vermentino

The rolling hills of Mclaren Vale facing the Gulf of Saint Vincent

Visiting Mclaren vale

This region is easily reached as a day trip from Adelaide.  But you will enjoy your time here more if you stay for a couple of nights.  After all, there are dozens of cellar doors to visit and the scenery is gorgeous.

You will find plenty of restaurants and pubs serving the local wine as well.

Use the search box below to check out the accommodation options for your visit...

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