Monica and Will’s Day Out
9.45 am – Pick up from McLaren Vale Accommodation
10am – Oliver’s Taranga
Oliver’s is the third oldest family owned business in Australia. The sixth generation of the family, Corrina, Brioni and Sam currently run the business and have taken it to another level. Corrina won winemaker of the year in 2019, is a highly recognised wine writer and is one of the great wine making faces of McLaren Vale. Wine styles include traditional Shiraz, Cabernet and Vermentino along side Mediterranean varieties including Fiano, Falanghina, Mencia and Tempranillo.
11am am – D’arenberg Cube
Chester Osborn is the fourth generation of his family to grow grapes and make wine on their property. He’s quite eccentric and came up with the idea of a building based on the Rubix cube. In 2018 the Cube opened and has been a hit since. There are a few “alternate reality” rooms to awaken your senses before tasting some of their large portfolio from the 5th floor cellar door. A must tick for anyone visiting the region.
12:30 pm – Salopian Inn
Winning the best restaurant in South Australia is no easy feat but these guys have done that and so much more. One of the best known and recommended restaurants in the region, they are a local favourite for many and a staple of the area. Karena Armstrong is the owner and head chef and makes amazing Asian/Australian fusion with local ingredients. You’ll be treated to a couple entrees, a shared main with sides and a drink included.
2pm – Down the Rabbit Hole
A little bit of Byron Bay in McLaren Vale, the property is gorgeous as well as the people. Started by Dom and Elise, they have great stories of how the brand started and their various wines. The double decker bus from Scotland is a stand out piece on their property but the rest of the area fits the vibe extremely well. They’ve done a great job of getting a large instagram following and getting lots of recommendations from visitors to the region.
3pm – Samuel’s Gorge
The quintessential boutique winery, Justin started the brand in 2003 and officially opened the cellar door in 2005. Located in an old barn, they are very experience focused, casual and just want people to have a good time. They focus mainly on reds but have a couple easy drinking summer wines available as well as a well renowned sparkling red.
4pm – Never Never Distillery
Never Never won best Gin in the world when making out of a brewery in Adelaide. They joined Chalk Hill collective in 2020 where they established their distillery and cellar door. It’s the perfect place to finish a day with a gin flight or cocktail with picturesque views over McLaren Vale
5 pm – Return to accommodation