Home mclaren vale wine tours mclaren vale wine tours. Domenico scarpantoni arrived in australia in 1952 and settled in the mclaren vale region. Philip was the wine writer for the advertiser for many years and now writes for the independent weekly the original idea for this mapping project came from bill fairburn, an english geologist. He purchased his first block in mclaren vale in 1958 and planted the first of many vines. Wine grapes mostly grow between the 30th and the 50th degree of latitude, in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Mclarens writing has long been a gift to the church, and to the world. Home to some of the worlds oldest grapevines and with over 80 cellar doors and vineyards accessible just 45 minutes from adelaide, mclaren vale is a winelovers dream. Mclaren vale beer company vale inn the mclaren vale beer company was founded in 2008 with just one beer in their selection the beloved vale ale. Also the main source for this article is the great book mclaren vale. Location is no limitation for winemakers that want to make the best wines they possibly can. Along with wolfgang and jeff the other two key people involved in producing the map and text for the geology of the mclaren vale wine region are the geologist bill fairburn and wine writer philip white.
This list of wineproducing regions catalogues significant growing regions where vineyards are planted. Australia spent millions of dollars to build a brand around shiraz australias word for syrah. The business also sells olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and local. Winesearcher currently lists 129 mclaren vale wine producers. Mclaren vales winemaking history dates all the way back to 1838, making it one of the oldest wineproducing regions in australia. Situated in the heart of the renowned mclaren vale wine district, this destination is designed and positioned to take full advantage of its location, the cellar door is nestled in the familys. The nebbiolo comes from a vineyard in the blewitt springs area of. Fun, wine, boutique wineries and larger, scenery, food, history and character stories. With a wide variety of terroirs, the diversity of mclaren vale wines is as rich as its history. 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. Mclaren vale was named after david mclaren, the colonial manager of the south australia company who surveyed the area in 1839.
Gary mehigan explores the darenberg cube, mclaren vale. Growers have planted the ironstone soils surrounding the town of mclaren vale producing rich, supple wines with chocolate and mocha characteristics in their shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and red blends. The stunning angove mclaren vale vineyards and cellar door and superb range of wines from this region builds upon the familys remarkable history. Take a tour of the best mclaren vale wineries and cellar doors for 2019 with this guide from wine selectors. The australian wine industry is one the worlds largest exporters of wine, with approximately 800 million out of the 1. For a full description of the region and its wines, see mclaren vale. History mclaren vale grape wine tourism association. If you are on the lookout for the perfect weekend getaway and just 45 minutes from adelaide, check out the best wineries in mclaren vale. Our wine history may be short by old world standards, but. Working on vineyards and at wineries in mclaren vale, while he and his wife saved for their own piece of land, graham learnt the fine art of quality winemaking. This small township is home to around 2,500 people and boasts numerous festivals and activities throughout the year including the fleurieu folk festival, the almond. Living almost his entire life in the mclaren vale wine region, graham won his first vine pruning trophy at the age of 9. At the 2011 census, mclaren vale had a population of 3,861. If youre heading to mclaren vale you have to go to the darenberg cube.
Mclaren vale is home to sustainable winegrowing, worldclass wines and culinary experiences, as well as pristine beaches, natural attractions and. John reynell and thomas hardy planted grape vines in 1838 and the seaview and hardy wineries were in operation as early as. Mclaren vale is located just south of adelaide in south australia. In 1968 domenico scarpantoni purchased another 20 hectare block in mclaren flat on the site of one. Minimum 4 people, maximum 12, with pickup in adelaide or in the mclaren vale region. Thomas hardy, the founder of hardys wines and a mclaren vale wine pioneer, acquired tintara in 1876 and the vineyard has access to some of the best vines in the vale. You can opt in with matched wines, or go a step further and book the chefs table. South australias viticultural origins began in mclaren vale and our region s mediterranean climate continues to drive our region s wine style and diverse food culture. Mclaren vale is a small rural town in south australia famous for producing world class red wine. Moreover, mclaren vale wine region, a part of fleurieu wine zone, has more than 70 cellar doors to explore. Cabernet sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
In so doing, the foundations were being put in place for two wine dynasties that were to dominate the region for over a century. Geology of the mclaren vale wine region cartographic. Taste the region s signature shiraz along the way at wineries such as the globally renowned wirra wirra, where you can try and make your own blend of the winerys famous church block label. There is food to accompany the drink stop into the willunga farmers market on a saturday to gather produce from the 80plus stalls, grab a midmorning snack at the clarendon bakery, and treat yourself to a long lunch or indulgent dinner at the awardwinning salopian inn. Together the families represent seventeen winegrowing regions. These coastal, mediterraneanlike conditions are perfect for producing red wine. Mclaren vale can lay claim to being south australias first. Vale, mclaren flat and willunga, but for those with a sense of history names. We have wineries in the region which specially open early for us, and it costs no more to do an extended day. Australias first families of wine affw is an australian wine initiative to raise the profile of australian wine to the world, showcasing a representative of its landmark wines and to highlight the quality and diversity of australian wine. Mclaren vale is a wine region in the australian state of south australia located in the adelaide.
It is conveniently located on the main road as you enter the heart of the picturesque mclaren vale township. Nick tried a bottle of barolo from the piedmont region of italy. Explore the vineyards and cellar doors of the mclaren vale wine region. Mclaren vale became the model of the small winery before such enterprises became fashionable in other states, and it remains one of the most richly varied and highly developed areas in australia, producing intensely. Coriole was established by the lloyd family in 1968, and now exports wine to the usa, canada and various countries in europe and asia. Vineyard farmstay retreat in the mclaren vale wine region. Summers in mclaren vale are hot and dry but enjoy cool relief coming in from the sea. The mclaren vale wine region, in the northwest of fleurieu peninsula, is.
Mclaren vale news newspapers books scholar jstor november 2015 learn how and. We make it the wine region experience of a lifetime. Converted shearing shed with vineyard views, stylish self catering studio. I am personally thrilled with the mclaren vale region map. Mclaren vale wines buy wine from mclaren vale region of.
The eightkilometre fivemile shiraz trail follows an old railway line between mclaren vale and willunga. Mclaren vale wine a guide to the wines of mclaren vale. The history of mclaren vale is written in its wineries. Large and small vineyards produce a wide range of specialised varieties.
Mclaren vale wine region vinodiversity wine information. Established by a collective of twelve multigenerational familyowned wine producers. Mclaren vale travel south australia, australia lonely planet. The complete guide with over 60 maps beeston, john on. Mclaren vale vintage overview sa winegrape crush survey 2017 2 wine australia july 2017 vintage report vintage 2017 in the mclaren vale wine region was judged highly successful for both grape growers, who had above average crops with minimal faults, and winemakers who had the ability to pick fruit as they required during an extended dry autumn. Therefore, i present 3 of the top breweries in the mclaren vale wine region, which i highly recommend you to visit on your next trip to this fantastic region of south australia. Our friendly and fully trained staff and volunteers are happy to assist in providing a wealth of information on the region. Unlike regions like the yarra valley, whose cool climate grapes were largely unsuitable.
They produce red wines from grape varieties such as cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, sangiovese, nebbiolo and barbera. Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, mclaren vale is home to perhaps the most classic style of australian shiraz. For decades mclaren vale has been lauded for producing brilliance from an array of noble varietals cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, fiano and nero davola, and its star performer, grenache. Local wines and a mixture of contemporary and historical recipes are included. The great spiritual migration puts into words what so many people of faith are experiencing, and in a way that is at once accessible and profound, challenging and deeply comforting. This is one of australias most celebrated wine regions renowned for producing some of our finest shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, grenache and chardonnay. Geology of the mclaren vale wine region cartographic material 2010. Cellar doors of mclaren vale wine region mclaren vale. Originally the area which we now call the mclaren vale wine region. The mclaren vale wine region is rich in history, with the first vines planted by john reynell in 1838, two years after the proclamation of the colony of south. He is the author of varietal wines of australia and concise history of australian wine.
Grapes will sometimes grow beyond this range, thus minor amounts of wine are made in some rather unexpected places. Their range of whites is made from grapes such as chenin blanc, fiano and semillon. You will reach the final page feeling inspired, understood, and a little less alone. Nearly all of the images in this book are the work of milton wordley, a leading. The mclaren vale wine region on the fleurieu peninsula. The mclaren vale region is known by many as one of the premier wine growing districts in australia and with good reason the temperate climate rivalling the mediterranean, some of the best brands, smooth reds are the norm and of course the locals who tackle the art of wine making with a passion. Learn more about wine production in the mclaren vale region. John reynell and thomas hardy planted the first vines on properties that are now owned by hardys wine. However, despite the success, australian wines have suffered some serious drawbacks in the media. The vineyard doesnt just supply wine grapes to olivers taranga, but many other premium wine producers in the mclaren vale region and beyond. Read this book and over 1 million others with a kindle unlimited membership. It was hardy who made wine history in australia exporting our first wine to england in 1857. Willunga is another part of the mclaren vale wine growing region and while it doesnt have the most producers around it makes up for it in quality and a variety of other options. In this case the wine looked brown and unappealing but he pushed on to try the wine.
Servicing the famed mclaren vale wine region, its a businesslike, utilitarian. Note some regions are not portrayed to actual geographical size, but in terms of their volume. Mclaren vale is a worldclass destination with wine, and so much more. The township was formed in 1923 from a merging of the two original villages of gloucester and bellevue, which were established in the 1840s by british pioneers. Welcome to the scarpantoni web page and online wine ordering page. The marketing paved the way for australia wine production to triple since 1990. With one of the strongest winegrowing histories in australia and some of the countrys bestrated modern wines under its belt, mclaren vale is the jewel of south australias pretty fleurieu zone from its coastal areas, where high altitudes and sea temperatures provide idyllic vineyard conditions even without irrigation, in some areas to the northern areas where sand and clay soils. Graham stevens was born to grow grapes and make wine. Mclaren vale is home to sustainable winegrowing, worldclass wines and culinary experiences.