10 Free Things to do in McLaren Vale That You Shouldn't Miss

Fox Creek Wines is an iconic, award winning winery located in McLaren Vale, South Australia. With a rich heritage in crafting fine regional wines since 1994, Fox Creek Wines portfolio ranges from Sparkling white through to Shiraz and includes exciting Italian varietals. Our commitment is to cultivate a unique wine brand that embodies the qualities of craftsmanship, innovation, consistency and authenticity. We invite you to visit our historic 19th century stone Cellar Door cottage, conveniently located 45 kilometres south of Adelaide, between the villages of McLaren Vale and Willunga on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The expansive grassed areas surrounded by flower beds, gum trees and of course vineyards, allow visitors to find their own tranquil spot from which to enjoy a view of the cottage, the Fox Creek winery and our iconic wine region, McLaren Vale.

Shottesbrooke Vineyards is a well-respected, award-winning 5 star wine producer in the premium winegrowing region of McLaren Vale. Offering a variety of both traditional and educational wine tastings, private picnic areas, and hosted, behind-the-scenes winery and vineyard tours, there really is something to delight everyone - those with an hour to spare, or those who have all day. Their unique experiences showcase everything that modern, sustainable winemaking can be, and aim to celebrate regionality in wine and the intricacies of the winemaking process.

Taste our handcrafted wines in the beautiful setting of our piazzetta-style cellar door and tasting room. For groups of 7 or more, please book in advance for our JOSEPH Experience tasting, a seated flight of premium wines with a tasting platter of local bread, Italian cheese and delicious JOSEPH Extra Virgin Olive Oil for just $20 per head, refunded upon purchase from the JOSEPH range. Our family looks forward to welcoming you to our award winning winery.

Picture this: a calm, relaxed creek-side setting amongst gum trees in a revegetated native corridor filled with abundant wildlife. Your picnic hamper is by your side as you sit back, listen to birdsong, and sip a James Halliday 96 point rated DogRidge Cabernet. Afterwards, you wander through the Cellar Door and art gallery and settle in at the handmade refectory table to be guided through a comprehensive tasting experience. Such is the DogRidge experience, and it's one not to be missed. The 'Dog Ridge' is a very old grapevine rootstock, no longer used in modern viticulture as it is too vigorous. This remnant of wine history, combined with the fact that Jen and Dave Wright have been breeders of curly coated retrievers and live on a sandy ridge...well, the name makes sense. DogRidge began when Jen and Dave discovered their first 40-acre vineyard in the ancient soils of McLaren Flat's Kurrajong Formation. In 2005 Jen's son Fred, and his wife Sarah, joined the team, with the sole ambition of making great McLaren Vale wines. Before long the Cellar Door opened, and shortly after that the art gallery did too. The 1940s vineyard on ancient Kurrajong soil makes for wines that are heavily perfumed on the nose, with a gentle tannin. DogRidge specializes in the juicier varieties and blends that the McLaren Vale is known for. Take, for example, DogRidge's pride and joy, its 'Most Valuable Player' - the 2012 Shiraz. With an aromatic dominance of mud cake, after dinner mints and cut cedar, you know you're in for something special. The palate starts with a vibrant burst of dark berry fruits up front, with a spiced Christmas cake middle and baked plums on the finish. Sounds too good to be true! But fear not, it's the real deal. The fruit is picked super ripe and vinified in open fermenters with extended skin contact, then pressed delicately into French oak to mature for nearly three years. It's no wonder James Halliday gave it a 95 point rating. Jen and Dave recommend you buy a bottle and enjoy it with a BBQ rib eye steak, mushrooms and red wine jus: spectacular. DogRidge harvests from late January into March, and grows chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, grenache, cabernet, and petit verdot grapes. The Wrights are proud of DogRidge's environmental record, having received property management awards for sustainability and minimal impact on the environment. These awards recognise DogRidge's efforts at incorporating biodiversity into the vineyards, recycling of wine barrel oak and green waste, and conservation of precious water resources. When you arrive for a tasting, you'll be provided with Jen's sourdough bread and Wild Tree extra virgin olive oil for dipping. Be sure to try the botrytis dessert wine, a fortified Viognier, as well as the delectable produce. Open 362 days a year, there's never a bad time to visit DogRidge - take a picnic and make a day of it!

Awarded best Red wine in the World twice for their Giant Squid Ink Shiraz within their Internationally acclaimed Squid Ink Shiraz Range, McLaren Vale III Associates produces premium Estate grown & award winning McLaren Vale wines. Come and taste our amazing range including the signature multi-award winning Squid Ink and International Trophy winning Giant Squid Ink Shiraz and along with our old vine Fourscore Grenache and some other little hidden gems!

Coriole Vineyards was founded by Hugh and Molly Lloyd in 1967. Coriole is still owned by the Lloyds and is now managed by second and third-generation family members. The estate is situated in the undulating hills of the densely planted McLaren Vale region just within sight of the sea and less than an hour from Adelaide. The original farmhouses were built in 1860 and are now the epicentre of the garden and cellar door at the winery. The original vineyards were planted in 1919. Shiraz is the great tradition of McLaren Vale going back over 150 years, and is the major variety planted on the estate. Coriole has been an Australian pioneer of Sangiovese and Italian varieties since 1985.

Hugh Hamilton Wines is a 'must see' winery in McLaren Vale. Set on a ridge line it provides nearly 360 degree 'stunning' views of the McLaren Vale wine region. The wines are all estate grown and include the main stream varietals such as Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot including some of the more rare and unusual varieties including Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Saperavi. All wines have fun names and include The Trickster, The Scallywag, The Rascal, The Villain, The Ratbag, The Mongrel, The Scoundrel, The Floozie, The Oddball, and The Drama Queen. Visitors from overseas are all welcome.

Kay Brothers is located at the top of the hill with a view out to the Mount Lofty ranges, 5 km from the McLaren Vale Main Road, and one hour south of Adelaide. Open 7 Days, the Cellar Door offers wine tastings and experiences. Premium red wine specialists of estate grown, traditionally handcrafted McLaren Vale wines. Varieties & Styles include: Grenache Rose, Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d’Avola, Merlot, Mataro, Fortified Tawny and Muscat wines. Free tastings for groups of five or less. For groups of 6-15 people, please book ahead. Maximum group size is 15 people.