The Best McLaren Vale Wineries To Suit Every Taste

With more than 80 cellar doors, the McLaren Vale wine region offers something for every wine lover – from family-friendly cellar doors to boutique tastings.

This wine region has long been at the forefront of cultivating southern Mediterranean varietals that thrive in its warm, coastal climate and each cellar door offers something different for visitors. Here’s our guide to the very best McLaren Vale wineries.

In short

If there’s only time to visit one winery in the McLaren Vale make it the picturesque Down the Rabbit Hole for its versatility – family-friendly, casual meals, restaurant and of course, the wine.

Down the Rabbit Hole

It’s no surprise Down the Rabbit Hole has become an Instagram favourite, with its vast green spaces, flower beds and even a pastel-blue double-decker bus for wine tasting. But the food and wine here are just as impressive. Laze on the grass with grazing boards brimming with brie, cured meats, and local olives, or enjoy homemade wood-fired pizzas, while the kids explore the gardens and maybe meet a resident cat or two.

Address: 233 Binney Road, McLaren Vale, SA 5171

Mollydooker Wines

Good things come in small packages, and Mollydooker is no exception, with crowd-pleasing ‘juicy’ wines that never fail to impress. Order a platter filled with local cheeses and charcuterie, relax on the large deck, and enjoy a sunny day with friends or family – kids are welcome, too.

Address: 23 Coppermine Road, McLaren Vale, South Australia 5171

Beach Road Winery

A laid-back spot to kick back and relax, Beach Road Winery is simple but satisfying. The focus here is on good pizzas and excellent wines, including their signature shiraz and grenache blends. There’s plenty of lawn space for kids, making it a relaxed, family-friendly option with views to match.

Address: 309 Seaview Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171

Chalk Hill Wines

With six generations and 185 years of winemaking under its belt, Chalk Hill has earned its reputation for crafting excellent small-batch wines like fiano, pinot grigio and SBR nero d’avola. The winery continues to evolve, now offering immersive wine tasting experiences, including the immersive Sensory Odyssey that pairs favourite wines with the perfect soundtrack. It’s also now grown to include Never Never Distilling Co. and Cucina di Strada which serves up Italian-style street food.

Address: Chalk Hill Wines, 56 Field St, McLaren Vale SA 5171

Ekhidna Wines

Operating for just two years, Ekhidna Wines has quickly established itself thanks to its stunning location, outstanding wines and acclaimed restaurant. The Branson Road property is framed by vineyards and rolling hills, making it a popular spot for proposals – sometimes even involving a helicopter. The Ekhidna Kitchen earned a chef’s hat this year, with much of the menu’s produce sourced directly from its own gardens.

Address: 67 Branson Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171

Alpha Box and Dice

Known for their cult-following wines, Alpha Box and Dice has a quirky personality and a relaxed, bold vibe. Step into the heritage-listed cellar door to taste their shiraz and vermentino. Wine tasting is free, and their unique ‘Alphabet of Wine’ concept is a must-try on any regional tour.

Address: 8 Olivers Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171

Coriole Vineyards

Perched on Seaview Ridge, Coriole has been pioneering Mediterranean varieties such as sangiovese, fiano, and picpoul since the 1980s. Taste their crisp chenin blanc and dark, fruity nero d’avola, then enjoy lunch at Gather at Coriole, where the menu is seasonal, locally sourced and foraged.

Address: Chaffeys Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171

Wirra Wirra Vineyards

Fans of high-quality red blends like cabernet-shiraz-merlot will love Wirra Wirra . The cellar door, located in historic cellars dating back to 1894, sits among vines and gum trees with ‘Wirra Wirra’ meaning ‘among the gums’ in the Kaurna language. Try the famous Church Block blend and cool-climate Adelaide Hills whites, accompanied by share plates and light meals in the relaxed garden.

Address: 255 Strout Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171

Gemtree Vineyards

A must for organic and biodynamic wine lovers, Gemtree produces grenache brimming with red berries, earthy shiraz and small batch fiano. Their sustainable approach extends to the Tasting Room which was built using recycled materials, is powered by solar panels and uses only rainwater. Shiraz aficionados can take a deep dive into the areas celebrated variety.

Address: 167 Elliot Rd, McLaren Flat SA 5171

Hither & Yon

Housed in a 1860s butcher’s shop, Hither & Yon is intimate, with space for just 14 guests at a time. Enjoy a personal tasting – there is a wide range of wines from chenin blanc to shiraz paired with a cheese board, soaking up the sun outside or cosy up by the fire. Hither & Yon are also one of the first vineyards in South Australia to become Carbon-Neutral certified.

Address: 17 High St, Willunga SA 5172

Samuel’s Gorge

Bordering a national parkland, Samuel’s Gorge sits high on a ridge with views of the Onkaparinga River and out to the ocean. Taste their grenache, shiraz, mourvèdre, graciano and tempranillo in the old stone barn, with breathtaking views all around.

Address: 193, Lot 10 Chaffeys Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171

Willunga 100

Well known for grenache, one of McLaren Vale’s signature varietals, Willunga 100 has won multiple awards. Their Grenache Room provides tastings and educational experiences, immersing visitors in the story of the grape and its connection to the region.

Address: 188 Moritz Rd, Blewitt Springs SA 5171

Lloyd Brothers

Set among a historic olive grove, Lloyd Brothers is a must-visit for wine and olive enthusiasts alike. David and Matthew, third-generation South Australian vignerons, oversee both McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills vineyards. There’s plenty of space for kids to play while adults enjoy a glass of wine and estate platters, with stone-baked pizzas available on weekends.

Address: 69 Warners Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171

Paxton Wines

Leaders in organic and biodynamic winemaking, Paxton is housed in an original 1850s shearing shed surrounded by sprawling lawns. Check their website for information on live music, day discos, long lunches, and intimate hands-on experiences exploring sustainable farming – from the garden to the glass.

Address: Via, Budgens Road, 68 Wheaton Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171

Winding down in the Yarra Valley, where ‘work from home’ becomes ‘work from wine country’.

Steam from my morning coffee curls gently into the cool valley air, mist-veiled vineyards stretch out in neat rows below me. Magpies warble from trees, and the morning’s quiet carries the soft bleating of lambs from a nearby paddock. Midweek in the Yarra Valley has its own rhythm. It’s slower, quieter, with more empty tables at cafes and cellar doors, and walking trails I can claim all to myself. It’s as if the entire region takes a deep breath once the weekend crowd leaves.

walking trails in the Yarra Valley — You’ll find walking trails are less crowded during the week. (Image: Visit Victoria)

I haven’t come here for a holiday, but to do a little work somewhere other than my home office, where I spend too much time hunched over my desk. Deadlines still loom, meetings still happen, but with flexible work evolving from ‘work from home’ to ‘work from anywhere’, I’m swapping the view of my front yard to the vineyards.

A quiet afternoon at Yarra Valley Dairy

holding a glass of wine at Yarra Valley Dairy — Wine time at Yarra Valley Dairy, where you can enjoy a toastie or bagel in the cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)

With the Yarra Valley just over an hour from the CBD, many Melburnians could drive here in their lunch break. I arrive late in the afternoon and am delighted to discover the Yarra Valley Dairy still open. On weekends, I’ve seen queues spilling out the door, but today there’s only one other couple inside. There’s no need to rush to secure a table; instead I browse the little store, shelves stacked with chutneys, spices, artisan biscuits and gorgeous crockery that would look right at home in my kitchen. It’s hard not to buy the lot.

a cheese tasting plate atYarra Valley Dairy — A cheese tasting plate at Yarra Valley Dairy.

I order a coffee and a small cheese platter, though the dairy has a full menu, and choose a wooden table with bentwood chairs by a wide window. The space feels part farm shed, part cosy café: corrugated iron ceiling, walls painted in muted tones and rustic furniture.

Outside, cows meander toward milking sheds. If pressed for time, there’s the option of quick cheese tastings – four samples for five dollars in five minutes – but today, I’m in no rush. I sip slowly, watching a grey sky settle over the paddock. Less than an hour ago I was hunched over my home-office desk, and now my racing mind has slowed to match the valley’s pace.

Checking in for vineyard views at Balgownie Estate

Restaurant 1309 at Balgownie Estate has views across the vines.

As my car rolls to a stop at Balgownie Estate , I’m quietly excited, and curious to see if my plan to work and play comes off. I’ve chosen a suite with a spacious living area and a separate bedroom so I can keep work away from a good night’s sleep. I could have booked a cosy cottage, complete with open fireplace, a comfy couch and a kettle for endless cups of tea, but as I am still here to get some work done, I opt for a place that takes care of everything. Dinner is served in Restaurant 1309, as is breakfast.

oysters at Restaurant 1309, Balgownie Estate — Oysters pair perfectly with a crisp white at Restaurant 1309.

On my first evening, instead of the usual walk about my neighbourhood, I stroll through the estate at an unhurried pace. There’s no need to rush – someone else is preparing my dinner after all. The walking trails offer beautiful sunsets, and it seems mobs of kangaroos enjoy the view, too. Many appear, grazing lazily on the hillside.

I wake to the call of birds and, after breakfast, with the mist still lingering over the vineyards, I watch two hot-air balloons silently drift above clouds. Perched on a hill, Balgownie Estate sits above the mist, leaving the valley below veiled white.

kangaroos in Yarra Valley — Spotting the locals on an evening walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Exploring the Yarra Valley on two wheels

the Yarra Valley vineyards — Swap your home office for a view of the vineyards. (Image: Visit Victoria/Cormac Hanrahan)

Perhaps because the Yarra Valley is relatively close to where I live, I’ve never considered exploring the area any way other than by car or on foot. And with a fear of heights, a hot-air balloon is firmly off the table. But when I discover I can hop on two wheels from the estate and cycle into Yarra Glen, I quickly realise it’s the perfect way to step away from my laptop and experience a different side of the region.

COG Bike offers pedal-assist e-bikes, and while the bike trail and paths into town aren’t particularly hilly, having an extra bit of ‘oomph’ means I can soak up the surroundings. Those lambs I heard calling early in the morning? I now find them at the paddock fence, sniffing my hands, perhaps hoping for food. Cows idle nearby, and at a fork in the bike path I turn left toward town.

It’s still morning, and the perfect time for a coffee break at The Vallie Store. If it were the afternoon, I’d likely turn right, in the direction of four wineries with cellar doors. The ride is about 15 kilometres return, but don’t let that put you off. Staying off the highway, the route takes you along quiet backroads where you catch glimpses of local life – farmers on tractors, weathered sheds, rows of vines and the kind of peaceful countryside you don’t see from the main road.

A detour to the Dandenong Ranges

legs hanging over the sides of the train, Puffing Billy Railway — The iconic Puffing Billy runs every day except Christmas Day.

The beauty of basing myself in the Yarra Valley is how close everything feels. In barely half an hour I’m in the Dandenong Ranges, swapping vineyards for towering mountain ash and fern-filled gullies. The small villages of Olinda and Sassafras burst with cosy teahouses, antique stores and boutiques selling clothing and handmade body care items.

I’m drawn to RJ Hamer Arboretum – Latin for ‘a place for trees’. Having grown up among tall trees, I’ve always taken comfort in their presence, so this visit feels like a return of sorts. A stroll along the trails offers a choice: wide open views across patchwork paddocks below, or shaded paths that lead you deeper into the quiet hush of the peaceful forest.

The following day, I settle into a quiet corner on the balcony of Paradise Valley Hotel in Clematis and soon hear Puffing Billy’s whistle and steady chuff as the steam train climbs towards town. Puffing Billy is one of Australia’s most beloved steam trains, running through the Dandenong Ranges on a narrow-gauge track. It’s famous for its open carriages where passengers can sit with their legs hanging over the sides as the train chugs through the forest. This is the perfect spot to wave to those on the train.

After my midweek break, I find my inbox still full and my to-do list not in the least shrunken, just shifted from one task to another. But I return to my home office feeling lighter, clearer and with a smug satisfaction I’d stolen back a little time for myself. A midweek wind-down made all the difference.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Balgownie Estate offers everything from cellar door tastings to spa treatments and fine dining – all without leaving the property.

Playing there

the TarraWarra Museum of Art, Yarra Valley — Visit the TarraWarra Museum of Art. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Wander through Alowyn Gardens, including a stunning wisteria tunnel, then explore the collection of contemporary artworks at TarraWarra Museum of Art . Cycle the Yarra Valley with COG Bike to visit local wineries and cellar doors.

Eating and drinking there

Olinda Tea House offers an Asian-inspired high tea. Paradise Valley Hotel, Clematis has classic pub fare, while the iconic Yering Station offers wine tastings and a restaurant with seasonal dishes.

seasonal dishes at the restaurant inside Yering Station — The restaurant at Yering Station showcases the best produce of the Yarra Valley. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The best wineries and cellar doors in the McLaren Vale