View across the valley at McLaren Vale with the Seaview Winery in the foreground

McLaren Vale
Attractive and historic town in the heart of one of South Australia's premier grape growing areas.
Located 39 km from 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.

It is now accepted that the town was named after David McLaren, the Colonial Manager of the South Australia Company, who arrived in the colony in 1837 and departed three years later. There is some dispute because some sources claim that town was named after a John McLaren who surveyed the area in 1839. Before either of them came along the local Aborigines reputedly called the area Myallina Dooronga. Until as recently as the 1920s McLaren Vale was applied to the region more than to the particular town and even today there is a feeling that the surrounding vineyards are really McLaren Vale vineyards even if they are some kilometres outside the town.

This is an area which has always been about grape growing. As early as 1850 the historic Hardy and Seaview wineries were in operation. It is widely accepted that Thomas Hardy's purchase of the Tintara vineyard in 1853 is the symbolic beginning of the town. Today the fundamental raison d'etre of the district has not changed.

Things to see:  

Hardy's Tintara Winery
In a way this is the emotional centre of the district. Located on the Main Road at the western end of town it is a large complex centred around the old McLaren Vale Flour Mill which dates from 1878.

People wanting to do the rounds of the McLaren Vale wineries could do worse than purchase a copy of 'Wineries of McLaren Vale' which is available at the Hardy Winery in McLaren Vale and which lists, with maps, every one of the wineries in the local area and gives specific details of how to get there, what grapes are grown there, and a history of the owners and the winery.

The Barn
Located in Ellen Street and built in 1870 this building was, for a long time, the main coaching stop in the town.

McLaren Vale Hotel
Located on the Main Road, the McLaren Vale Hotel was built in 1857 and subsequently bought by Thomas Hardy who insisted that, regardless of demands on accommodation, there was always a room available for him.

Congregational Church and Salopian Inn (1854)
The Old Chapel in Willunga Road, McLaren Vale is now used by a range of small cottage industries. The plaque on the outside says 'To honour the memory of the pioneers of McLaren Vale who with dauntless faith held the first church service in the open air in 1840, built the first chapel in 1844, and built this, the first church, in 1861'. It¹s the McLaren Vale Congregational Church and is now occupied by the Art Gallery and L.J. Hooker.

Signs to the Coreole winery, the Chapel Hill winery, the Seaview Winery and the Amory Vineyards

Wineries in the Area - To the North
Chapel Hill Winery
Located on the Chapel Hill Road north of McLaren Vale this family winery was established in 1979 and specialises in dry red and white table wines and dessert ports derived from cabernet, chardonnay, Verdelho and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8429.

Coriole Vineyards
Located on the Chaffeys Road north of McLaren Vale this family winery was established in 1969 and specialises in dry red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, semillon, chenin blanc, sangiovese and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8305.

Seaview Winery
Located on Chaffey's Road, north of McLaren Vale this famous winery was established in 1850 and specialises in red and white table wines and sparkling wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, semillon, Grenache, chardonnay, verdelho, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8250.

Oliverhill Winery
Located on Seaview Road, north of McLaren Vale this family winery was established in 1973 and specialises in red and white table wines, fortified wines and sparkling wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, Grenache, chardonnay and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8922.

Kay's Amery Vineyards
Located on Kay's Road, north of McLaren Vale this family winery was established in 1890 and specialises in full bodied dry reds, white table wines and fortified wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, mataro, pinot noir, Merlot, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8211.

d'Arenberg Wines
Located on Osborn Road just north of McLaren Vale this family winery was established in 1912 and specialises in red and white table wines, sparkling red wine and fortified wine derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, viognier, petit verdot, chardonnay, marsanne, rousanne, sauvignon blanc, grenache, mourvedre, chambourcin and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8206.

Merrivale Wines
Located on Olivers Road just north of McLaren Vale this picturesque winery was established in 1971 and specialises in red and white table wines and ports derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, chardonnay and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 9196.

Manning Park Wines
Located on the corner of Chalk Hill and Olivers Road just north of McLaren Vale this delightful winery was established in 1982 and specialises in red and white table wines, fortified wines and ports derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, grenache, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8209.

Marienberg Wines
Located at 2 Chalk Hill Road just north of McLaren Vale this winery was established in 1966 and specialises in red and white table wines and sparkling and fortified wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, semillon, pinot noir, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 9666.

Wineries in the Area - Around the Town

The Hardy's Tintara Winery

Hardy's Tintara
Located on the Main Road in McLaren Vale this large and historic winery was established in 1838 and specialises in premium red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, Merlot and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 9185.

Luong Rice Winery
Located on 220 Main South Road in McLaren Vale this unusual winery was established in 1989 and specialises in chinese rice wine . It is open seven days for sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8156.

Tatachilla Winery
Located on 151 Main Road in McLaren Vale this winery was established in 1901 and specialises in red and white table wines and red and white sparkling wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, chardonnay, Merlot, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8656.

Maxwell Wines
Located on Olivers Road in McLaren Vale this family winery was established in 1979 and specialises in red and white table wines and mead (honey wine) derived from cabernet sauvignon, semillon, merlot, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8200.

Dennis of McLaren Vale
Located on Kangarilla Road in McLaren Vale this family winery was established in 1971 and specialises in premium red and white table wines, port and mead derived from cabernet sauvignon, muscat, chardonnay, Merlot, sauvignon blanc, grenache and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8665.

Wineries in the Area - To the East
Andrew Garrett Winery
Located on Ingoldby Road, McLaren Flat just east of McLaren Vale this significant winery was established in 1983 and specialises in red and white table wines and sparkling wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, semillon, pinot noir, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet franc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8383 0005.

Ingoldby Wines
Located on Ingoldby Road, McLaren Flat just east of McLaren Vale this small winery was established in 1973 and specialises in red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, Merlot, grenache, sauvignon blanc, cabernet franc and shiraz grapes. It shares a cellar door at Andrew Garrett Winery and is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8383 0005.

Wirilda Creek Winery
Located on McMurtrie Road east of McLaren Vale this visitor friendly winery was established in 1992 and specialises in red and white table wines and fortified wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 9688.

Wirra Wirra Vineyards
Located on McMurtrie Road east of McLaren Vale this historic winery was established in 1894 and specialises in premium red and white table wines, fortified and sparkling wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, semillon, pinot noir, chardonnay, Merlot, grenache, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8414.

Curtis Wines
Located on Foggo Road east of McLaren Vale this small winery was established in 1987 and specialises in red and white table wines and port derived from semillon, grenache and shiraz grapes. It is open Saturday, Sunday and Public holidays for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8389.

Haselgrove Wines
Located on Foggo Road east of McLaren Vale this small winery was established in 1980 and specialises in dry red and white table wines, fortified and sparkling wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, chenin blanc, viognier, chardonnay, Merlot, sauvignon blanc, grenache and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8706.

Middlebrook Winery and Restaurant
Located on Sand Road east of McLaren Vale this delightful winery was established in 1947 and specialises in red and white table wines, ports and fortified wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, semillon, chardonnay, Merlot and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8383 0004.

Tinlins Winery
Located on Kangarilla Road east of McLaren Vale this winery was established in 1976 and specialises in red and white table wines, fortified and sparkling wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, grenache, pedro ximenes, palomino, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8649.

Scarpantoni Estate Wine
Located on Scarpantoni Drive east of McLaren Vale this family winery was established in 1979 and specialises in premium red and white table wines, fortified and sparkling wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, gamay, muscat, chardonnay, Merlot, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8383 0186.

Fern Hill Estate
Located on Ingoldby Road east of McLaren Vale this boutique winery was established in 1975 and specialises in premium red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8383 0167.

P & A Hoffman's Wines
Located on Ingoldby Road east of McLaren Vale this family winery was established in 1996 and specialises in dry red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8383 0232.

Ryecroft Vineyards
Located on Ingoldby Road east of McLaren Vale this well known winery was established in 1888 and specialises in premium red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8383 0001.

Shottesbrooke Vineyards
Located at 1 Bagshaws Road east of McLaren Vale this award winning winery was established in 1984 and specialises in premium dry red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, Merlot, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8383 0002.

Kangarilla Road Vineyard & Winery
Located on Kangarilla Road east of McLaren Vale this family winery was established in 1975 and specialises in red and white table wines and fortified wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, chardonnay, Malbec, sauvignon blanc, cabernet franc, zinfandel and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8383 0533.

Hugo Wines
Located on Elliot Road at McLaren Flat this small family winery was established in 1982 and specialises in red and white table wines and port derived from cabernet sauvignon, semillon, grenache, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet franc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8383 0098.

Woodstock Winery
Located on Douglas Gully Road at McLaren Flat this family winery was established in 1973 and specialises in premium red and white table wines and port derived from cabernet sauvignon, semillon, grenache, chardonnay, riesling, Merlot and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8383 0156.

Maglieri Wines
Located on Douglas Gully Road at McLaren Flat this family winery was established in 1972 and specialises in Lambrusco and premium red and white table wines and derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, semillon, grenache, chardonnay, Merlot and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8383 0177.

Wineries in the Area - To the South
Pirramimma Wines
Located on Johnston Road just south of McLaren Vale this well known winery was established in 1892 and specialises in red and white table wines and fortified wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, semillon, pinot noir, chardonnay, Merlot, grenache, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8323 8205.

Fox Creek Wines
Located on Malpas Road south of McLaren Vale this boutique winery was established in 1996 and specialises in red and white table wines and sparkling wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, verdelho, chenin blanc, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet franc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8556 2403.

Richard Hamilton Wines
Located on Main Road south of McLaren Vale this family winery was established in 1972 and specialises in red and white table wines derived from chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, chenin blanc, semillon, grenache, Merlot, sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8556 2288.

	Tourist Information
	McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Peninsula Tourist Information Centre Main Rd McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 9455 Facsimile: (08) 8323 9949
	Motels
	McLaren Vale Motel Cnr Main Rd & Caffrey St McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 8265 Facsimile: (08) 8323 9251 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Hotel McLaren Vale Main Rd McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 8208
	McLarens on the Lake Hotel Kangarilla Rd P.O. Box 623 McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 8911 Rating: ***
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Samarkand Bed & Breakfast Branson Rd P.O. Box 322 McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 8756 Rating: ***
	Southern Vales Bed & Breakfast 13 Chalk Hill Rd McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 8144 Rating: ***
	Winnies Cottage 196 Main St McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8271 4620 Facsimile: (08) 8373 3443 Email: mclarenbnb@bigpond.com
	Wirilda Creek Winery Bed & Breakfast RSD 90 McMurtrie Rd McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 9688 Rating: **
	Caravan Parks
	McLaren Vale Lakeside Caravan Park Field St P.O. Box 36 McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 9255 Rating: ****
	Restaurants
	d'Arrys Verandah Restaurant at d'Arenberg Wines Pty Ltd Osborn Rd McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 8710
	Hotel McLaren Main Rd McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 8208
	McLarens On The Lake Hotel & Restaurant Kangarilla Rd McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 8911
	Red Gum Chinese Restaurant Main Rd McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 8722
	Salopian Inn Cnr McMurtrie & Willunga Rds McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 8769
	The Barn Restaurant Main Rd McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 8618
	The Limeburner's Restaurant Marienburg Winery McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 8599
	Cafés
	Stump Hill Cafe & Wine Bar Main Rd McLaren Vale SA 5171 Telephone: (08) 8323 8999