McLaren Vale - South Australia

Located 39 kilometres south of Adelaide, McLaren Vale is a charming and substantial township surrounded by more than 40 vineyards and wineries. On every side there are fields of grapes and the signposts at various points are thick with invitations to visit cellar doors to sample the vintages and purchase the locally made wines.

In 1838 the first grapes of this region were planted by John Reynell at the Reynella estate and by early 1850, the historic Hardy and Seaview wineries were in operation. However, it is widely accepted that Thomas Hardy's purchase of the Tintara vineyard in 1853 was the symbolic beginning of the town.

Famous McLaren Vale wine varieties, prized in Australia and successfully exported, include Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and more recently Viognier, Marsanne and Sangiovese. It is the outstanding Shiraz and Grenache for which this area is renowned.

Festivals, over 60 cellar doors offering premium wines, gourmet food, and accommodation to suit every taste and budget.

McLaren Vale is also the gateway to the geographically diverse Fleurieu Peninsula, with cottage industries, steam train rides, wonderful surf and family beaches, diving, boating, fishing, whale and penguin viewing.