Fireside Cellar Doors to Explore this Winter
Soul-warming wines, made even better by the warm glow of a fireplace.
There’s something special about winter in McLaren Vale: the crisp air, the velvety reds, and the gentle crackle of a fireplace.
It’s a time to slow down, shut out the world, and savour the simple pleasure of good food and wine. Where every sip and bite brings comfort, connection, and a sense of place.
From May to September each year cellar doors, restaurants and venues across the McLaren Vale wine region, invite you to settle in by the fire, glass in hand, and soak up the warmth of regional hospitality.
From rustic charm to modern comfort, here’s where to find McLaren Vale’s cosiest winter spots:
Maxwell Wines
Maxwell's architecturally designed cellar door offers a window into the belly of a working winery that you can enjoy from the comfort of your fireside seat.
Whether you prefer concentrated, robust and characterful wines or vibrant and approachable wines one of Maxwell's wine flights means you're certain to find a wine to suit your taste and mood.
Maxwell's offers a small range of curated cheese and charcuterie boards to accompany your wine or you can indulge yourself by adding matching canapés from Maxwell's acclaimed restaurant.
Maxwell's cellar door is open 7 days a week.
Explore and book your experience here: maxwellwines.com.au
Vigna Bottin Cellar Door & Osteria
Vigna Bottin is home to McLaren Vale wines with an Italian spirit and it's the perfect place to spend a long cosy afternoon in the McLaren Vale Wine Region.
The Bottin family have been growing grapes in McLaren Vale since 1970 and in Italy for generations before that. This Winter you're invited to take a seat beside the fire and soak in the welcoming atmosphere as you settle in ready to explore Vigna Bottin's minimal intervention wines via a seated wine flight.
For the true Italian experience book into their restaurant, Osteria, to enjoy their wines with the type of Italian fare that you'd expect to share at Nonna's Table.
Bookings are highly recommended vignabottin.com.au
Hastwell & Lightfoot
Spend a Winter's afternoon in to the comfort of the chesterfield couches that surround Hastwell and Lightfoot's roaring fireplace.
This award winning family-owned and operated cellar door is the perfect spot to enjoy their Grazing Platter and Wine Tasting Experience by the fire. Savour a generous grazing platter for two as you taste through carefully selected wines in this 1.5 hour guided wine tasting.
Hastwell & Lightfoot is open Friday–Monday
301 Foggo Road, McLaren Vale, South Australia 5171
Secure your spot by the fire at hastwellandlightfoot.com.au
Ivybrook Farm
Set in a historic 1898 stone barn in the coastal township of Maslin Beach, Ivybrook Farm's Cellar Door is the epitome of rustic charm.
Family owned for five generations, Ivybrook Farm strive's to be self-sufficent and they practise bio-dynamic principles in the vineyard. Situated only 3km from the coast, their vineyard has varied soil types, aspects and elevations providing ideal growing conditions that suit their range of wines including the McLaren Vale staples of shiraz and grenache as well as their range of alternate varieties including Arinto, Mencia and Touriga.
The large wood burner that adorns the corner of their cellar door provides the perfect setting to relax with friends and family this winter, where you can enjoy Ivybrook Farm's seated Wine Tasting Experience alongside a 'create your own platter' full of local produce. Alternatively, enjoy pizza, wine and vineyard views at their Gourmet Pizza Sundays.
Wine tastings and create your own platters available all day Saturday and Sundays.
Gourmet Pizza Sundays - Sundays only, kitchen open 12-3pm. Gluten free and vegan options available.
Book your spot beside the fire at ivybrookfarm.com.au
Richard Hamilton
At Richard Hamilton Wines, as the cooler months roll in, the cellar door becomes a cosy retreat—where the crackle of an open fireplace sets the tone for relaxed, refined tastings.
Settle in by the fire, let time slow, and discover why Richard Hamilton Wines is a must-visit this winter – where classic McLaren Vale charm is always in season.
Richard Hamilton is open 7 days a week.
Main Road, McLaren Vale, South Australia 5171
Book richardhamiltonwines.com.au
Shadow Creek
Perched above the serene Turraparri Creek and surrounded by old gums and sweeping vineyard views, Shadow Creek’s cellar door is a hidden gem with soul. The flicker of their fireplace offers a heartfelt welcome and the perfect spot to get cosy, stay awhile and enjoy their range of wine.
Shadow Creek is open Friday–Sunday
Rifle Range Road, McLaren Vale, South Australia 5171
Secure your spot by the fire at shadowcreek.com.au
Shottesbrooke Vineyards
Nestled within picturesque vineyards in McLaren Flat, follow the brick lined path to Shottesbrooke Vineyards' quaint cellar door where you'll be greeted by the warmth of their wood burning fire.
Once inside you can get to know the Shottesbrooke story through a structured wine tasting, then choose your favourite and sink into the plush couch aside the fire for a relaxed afternoon of wine, warmth and friends.
A range of Shottesbrooke experiences are available 6 days a week.
For more information and to book visit shottesbrooke.com.au
Woodstock
The cellar door at Woodstock is a place for friends and family to gather and enjoy the good things in life - great wine, delicious food and excellent company in the warmth of their large open fire.
Woodstock is open wine sales and tastings 7 days a week.
More information at woodstockwine.com.au
Varney Wines
Be guided through a structured tasting of the Varney Wines highly acclaimed portfolio of wines. Sit back, relax, and take in stunning views of the Onkaparinga Gorge, comforted by the warmth of their roaring fire.
Varney Wines Tasting Room is open Friday–Sunday 11AM–4PM
Settle in by the fire, book at varneywines.com.au
Article originally published 28 June 2023
