Peter and Vicki's Travel Blog: On the McLaren Vale Wine Trail

Lovely day sipping the McLaren Vale drops!

As well as our familiar favourites there are some very interesting new grapes being grown here - mostly Italian and suited to a Mediterranean climate which the McLaren Vale region is very much like - Fiano, Chenin Blanc, Sangiovese, Grenache, Cuvee, Marsanne, Tempranillo and Mouvedre, to name a few, and very nice wines are being produced! Really liked Coriole's Fiano.

McLaren Vale is a lovely wine region with the vineyards set on rolling hillsides with the stunning back drop of the Willunga Hills. The scenery is lovely! There are over 65 cellar doors each with an individual style and personality. You don't always have to have a taste, you can just enjoy a wander around the vineyard and take in the great character and style! We did the 28 km loop and dropped in at d'Arenberg, Coriole Vineyard, Rosemount Wines, Samuel's Gorge, Chapel Hill Winery, Wirra Wirra Vineyard and Penny's Hill. We admired, AND we tasted !! :) - (at some)

Willunga is a historic little town 6kms from McLaren Vale where slate mining was a thriving industry in the 19th century, evidence of which is seen in the buildings, roofs and pavements today. The main street was great to stroll along with its unique shops, cafes and galleries. The "oldness" gives it great appeal and character.

Was a great sight this morning when I pulled up the back window blind! Lucky - another lovely backyard! :)

The McLaren Vale Wine Trail - in yellow - 28kms of undulating beauty!

The wine region is rich in history with the first vines being planted by John Reynell in 1838, two years after the proclamation of the colony of South Australia. As early as 1850 the historic Hardy and Seaview wineries were in operation and it is widely accepted that Thomas Hardy's purchase of the Tintara vineyard in 1853 marked the symbolic beginning of the McLaren Vale.

The lovely roses and lavenders in the Tourist Information gardens

The region's showcase of wine and food at the Information Centre

Nice spot to try the food and wine!

The entrance to d'Arenberg Winery

The Cellar Door and Darry's Verandah Restaurant

Great views over the town, valley and vineyards from the restaurant verandah
The Willunga hills form the beautiful ever present backdrop

Established in 1967. The original farmhouses were built in the 1860's and are now the epicentre of the "English" style garden, cellar door, and restaurant at the winery.
Just beautiful!

The Retreat - their function centre

The original chapel

The original school

Lovely conservatory to enjoy your socialise and wine

The original stained glass window came from Italy

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos - noisy devils!
They liked the trees around the chapel!

View from Chapel Hill

Now this is a fence! An eye catching entrance to Wirra Wirra Vineyards

Wirra Wirra historic ironstone cellars

"Among the gums"! (Wirra Wirra) they advertise

Effective - made of wine corks!

The Angelus bell sits atop the ironstone cellars.
They have a wine club called the Bell Ringers named after the bell

WILLUNGA

It is now a unique restaurant/cafe called "Christina's on High St"

Minko Wines
The rustic Cellar Door and they also have Fleurieu Peninsula regional produce
A boutique family run vineyard. They practice eco-sustainable viticulture with an ethos of minimal impact on the environment and in conversion biodynamic.

Note the slate footpath!