Indulge Your Senses in McLaren Vale Wine Region

Winter is the perfect time to slow down, indulge the senses and savour long lunches aside the fire.

The McLaren Vale Wine Region offers experiences for all the senses, from a wine tasting in the dark to a vegan long lunch.
Check out our pick of must-try experiences, whatever the weather:

Tasting in the Dark: A Wine Sensory Experience

by Hardys Wines

Journey down into the darkness of Hardy's Fortified Cellar, take your seat, apply your blindfold and prepare yourself to embark on a sensory wine tasting experience like no other.

If you've ever wondered how the senses work together to influence your wine tasting experience then Hardys' Tasting in the Dark is the ideal way to find out. This fun and interactive wine tasting will engage and challenge your senses. Your host will guide you through four Hardys' Wines where you will discover how removing the sense of sight influences your wine tasting experience.

Tasting in the Dark is suitable for all levels, no prior knowledge required. This tasting is designed to enhance your wine knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of your palate to elevate the wine experience. You will walk away with wine sensory tricks and skills you can take to your next social gathering.

Tasting in the Dark - A Wine Sensory Experience
Available Wednesday–Sunday at 2.00pm at Hardys Tintara Cellar Door, McLaren Vale.
Booking in advance is essential: hardyswines.com

Wellness & Wine - A Vegan Long Lunch

by Shottesbrooke and The Currant Shed

Immerse yourself in Shottesbrooke's vegan wines and tantalise your taste buds with a three-course vegan long lunch at The Currant Shed that features exquisitely prepared local and seasonal produce that reflect the flavours of the land.

Once a partnership between two neighbours in a secluded part of McLaren Flat, Shottebrooke and The Currant Shed are now linked by more than the native wood lot between the properties. Now they are part of the same family offering the perfect combination of sustainably produced wines and world-class culinary experiences.

On your Wellness & Wine experience you will begin at Shottesbrooke Vineyards, where you will be guided through a private winery tour to learn how Shottesbrooke create their wines without using any animal products. You will be invited to taste wines straight from the tank and barrel to really see, feel and smell what makes their wines so unique. After the tour, you will be hosted in the comfort of their cellar door as you taste through a selection Shottesbrooke Vineyards' vegan-friendly wines. Once your tasting has concluded, you’ll take a short 5-minute walk through the native wood, that connected the two properties, where you’ll be greeted by the friendly staff at one of McLaren Vale's premium restaurants, The Currant Shed. Here, you'll enjoy a three course vegan lunch, inspired by regional plant-based and seasonal produce, while being surrounded by vineyards and the restaurant's Tahitian Lime grove.

Wellness & Wine - A Vegan Long Lunch
Available Thursday–Tuesday from 11.30am–2.30pm.
Bookings essential: shottesbrooke.com.au

A Taste of Premium Wine Tasting Experience

By Hugh Hamilton

Ascend the impressive staircase or take the gentle meandering slope past the vines to Hugh Hamilton's elevated cellar door where 270º views of the surrounding vineyards await you. Upon arrival your taste buds will be awoken with a refreshing non-alcoholic estate grown Shiraz or Muscat cordial. Take a seat at one of the ideally positioned tables that adorne the perimeter of Hugh Hamilton Wines' circular cellar door, each table affording its occupants maximum views.

As your tasting is prepared, Hugh Hamilton Wines welcoming cellar door hosts enrich you with the details of the family's long winemaking history; In 1837 Hugh Hamilton's great great grandfather Richard emigrated to the new colony of South Australia and planted Australia’s first wine grapes. Now 5th and 6th generation Winemaker Hugh Hamilton and CEO Mary Hamilton respectively are continuing the 180 year Hamilton winemaking legacy.

The Hugh Hamilton 'A Taste of Premium' wine tasting offers you the chance to experience this legacy through six premium vegan friendly wines, ranging from classic McLaren Vale varietals like Shiraz through to some self proclaimed oddities that you may never have tried, including two wines that are reserved for their Black Sheep Club members.

A Taste of Premium Wine Tasting
Available 7 days a week, 11am–4pm.
It is recommended that you allow 60 minutes to complete your tasting.
Booking essential: hughhamiltonwines.com.au

Discover Wirra Wirra Experience

by Wirra Wirra

This full immersion into Wirra Wirra’s vineyards, winemaking and old cellars is a feast for all the senses.

Soak in the beaming sounds of lorekeets softened by the mellow sways of gum leaves as you overlook Wirra Wirra’s biodynamic vineyards. You'll learn about their biodynamic vineyards as you taste Wirra Wirra's certified biodynamic wines. Your sense of smell will be awoken by the encompassing aroma of oak barrels and ageing wine as you tour the original ironstone cellars, here you will learn about winemaking and barrel ageing as you taste five of Wirra Wirra’s finest wines complemented with a chocolate tasting plate. Take the time to reflect on your learning as you finish with a two-course lunch and wine from Harry’s Deli.

Discover Wirra Wirra Experience - Biodynamic Winery Tour and Wine Tasting
Available Monday - Friday, subject to availability.*
Book: wirrawirra.com

Saturday Night Music Sessions

At Sourc'd Wine Collective and Bar

A hidden gem on the esplanade of Aldinga Beach is Sourc'd cellar door and wine bar. A passionate supporter of locals, Sourc'd is the perfect spot to kick back on a Saturday evening, sip on some small batch wine and listen to the enchanting sounds of local artists.

This beachside cellar door and wine bar features small batch boutique wines and spirits from local paddocks and beyond, including their own wine brand BeachFace Wine Co. Their menu of comforting tapas style bites are made for self indulgence and sharing.

Saturday Night Music Sessions
Every Saturday night from 6.30pm, June 3rd to December 23rd 2023
More info: www.sourcd.com.au