Let’s get one thing straight. McLaren Vale is not just “the other South Australian wine region”. It's a sun-drenched pocket of coastal bliss, where ancient soils meet new ideas, and where Grenache might just outshine Shiraz (we said what we said).
It’s the kind of place where cellar doors double as design studios, farm kitchens or surf shacks - and the people behind the bottles are never too far from the vineyard.
So, if you're heading down the Fleurieu, here’s our take on who to visit, where to sip, and where to eat when you’re ready to soak in the salty breeze and call it a day.
The Established Heroes
D’Arenberg
You can’t talk McLaren Vale without tipping your hat to D’Arenberg. Whether you’re here for the eccentric Cube (love it or loathe it, it’s worth a walk-through) or the deeper dive into the region’s classic red blends, D’Arenberg delivers spectacle with substance. The cellar door is big, bold and built to entertain-but scratch the surface and there’s plenty of winemaking pedigree underneath. Give the Dead Arm a swirl for old times’ sake.
Wirra Wirra
Church block, catapults, cricket bats-Wirra Wirra are as McLaren Vale as it gets. Their cellar door is one of the most polished in the region, but never in a way that feels overdone. The wines? Consistent as ever, with rock-solid Shiraz and Cabernet blends and some increasingly serious small-batch stuff creeping through. A safe bet for first-timers, and still worth a visit for the more seasoned drinker.
Primo Estate
A little slice of Italy on McMurtrie Road. Primo Estate nails the Euro-Aussie crossover with its olive oils, grappa, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese blends. The cellar door is sleek and stylish, and the tastings feel like you’ve been invited into the family home (if your family was Italian and very good at wine). If you’re into food and wine pairings, this is your stop.
The Modern Stars
S.C. Pannell
Steve Pannell’s cellar door is perched up high with views to match the reputation. Whether some of Australia’s finest Grenache, the benchmark reds from Koomilya vineyard, or alternative varieties like Touriga, Fiano and Nero - these wines are benchmark material. Structured, savoury, and seriously food-friendly. The tasting flight reads like a Mediterranean fantasy, and the kitchen doesn’t miss either. If you're only doing one, make it SCP.
Yangarra
Yangarra’s stunning new cellar door has thrown a Grenache-sized gauntlet down to the rest of McLaren Vale. Yangarra is obsessive about their vineyard, experimental geniuses in the winery, and can rightly claim to these days be the region’s premier producer. Climb the stairs of their seriously sexy new home, overlooking both their remarkable certified biodynamic vineyard and their world-class winery, and grab yourself a glass or three of some of Australia’s finest and most creative wines.
Oliver’s Taranga
This sixth-generation estate has quietly become one of the most interesting and loved names in the Vale. Headed up by Corrina Wright - winemaker, grower, and Fiano whisperer - their cellar door offers deep dives into the region’s classics, alternative varietals (hello, Mencia) and a profound pour of history. It’s a wonderfully welcoming, unpretentious cellar door with fun and generosity at its heart, and always worth the stop.
Hidden Gems
Samuel’s Gorge
No website flash, no big-budget branding - just one of the most atmospheric cellar doors in the country. Tucked into an old stone barn overlooking the Onkaparinga Gorge in a corner of the Vale, this place feels like a portal to another time. These artisanal wines are built on flavour and textural, rather than preconceived notions, and have gained a cult following for good reason. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot charismatic owner and winemaker Justin McNamee running around the winery - make sure you say g’day!
Bondar / Sherrah / Lino Ramble
Three of the region’s most creative and curious small producers, all pouring side-by-side in a humble shared cottage on McMurtrie Road in the heart of the Vale. All three of these terrific small producers are known for their deliciously approachable wines that provide value, fun and a genuine point of difference from the region’s big boys. Wonderful wines and even better people - this is one of our must-do cellar door recommendations for a glimpse into the future of the region. Explore here: Bondar | Sherrah | Lino Ramble
Inkwell
Part luxury eco-hotel, part cutting-edge cellar door. Inkwell feels like it was designed for people who take their wines seriously but don’t take themselves too seriously. Owners / grape-growers / winemakers Dudley and Irina are hugely passionate about their uniquely conceived and managed vineyard, which produces a suite of textural, flavour-packed wines made from varieties both traditional and new. The on-site lodging (Hotel California Road) is the perfect way to turn a tasting into an overnight stay.
The New Guard
Somos
Mexican-turned-McLaren Vale maestro Mauricio Ruiz Cantú is the man behind Somos - one of the region’s most playful and progressive producers. For several years Mauricio’s wines have captured the imagination of younger drinkers, most notably with their alternative variety releases from grapes like Vermentino and Mencia, and natural-leaning skin contact wines. Somos’ new humble cellar door is the final piece of the puzzle for this enigmatic brand, and well worth a visit for the curious drinker.
Aphelion
Grenache is king here for this leading artisanal producer, and owner/winemaker Rob Mack knows how to let it shine with one of the country’s most thorough explorations of the variety, alongside alternative friends like Chenin Blanc and Grenache Blanc. Aphelion’s homely new cellar door with sweeping vineyard views, delightful snacks and even wine-matching tunes is the perfect way to settle in and discover what makes McLaren Vale’s wines arguably the country’s most exciting
Varney Wines
A newer kid on the block that’s quickly built a cult following. Alan Varney spent time at d’Arenberg and now channels that experience into a smart, expressive range of wines under his own name. The cellar door is slick, the staff are on point, the food is fantastic, and the wines balance approachability with a serious sense of place. A new name to watch for lovers of the region’s red wines.
Where to Eat
Coriole
Garden terrace, old stone buildings, olive groves - much-loved winery Coriole is basically the platonic ideal of a long winery lunch. The restaurant runs a tight menu built around what’s in season, and the cellar door is right there when you’re ready for a top-up. Bonus points for killer Sangiovese and Chenin Blanc!
Main & Cherry Cellar Door Kitchen
Perched up high in Cherry Gardens, the kitchen at boutique winery Main & Cherry (open Thursday–Mondays) is all about local produce, open-fire cooking and spectacular views. It's casual in all the right ways - think grazing plates, alternative wines, and a vibe that feels instantly relaxed.
The Salopian Inn
An institution. Possibly the best restaurant in the region. The menu blends South-East Asian spice with local produce, and the wine list is encyclopaedic without being overwhelming. Settle in for the afternoon - you won’t want to leave.
The Victory Hotel
Not technically in McLaren Vale, but just down the road and unmissable all the same. The Victory has one of the best wine cellars in the country hidden beneath a classic country pub. Get the fish and chips, ask for something weird and wonderful from the list, and enjoy the view over Sellicks Beach.
Final Word
McLaren Vale is a region that rewards exploration. It’s got the history, sure, but it’s also full of fresh thinking and forward motion. Whether you're in it for benchmark Grenache or tasty, thought-provoking wines made from grapes you've barely heard of - there’s a version of the Vale waiting for you.