McLaren Vale, the heartland of South Australia’s wine culture, is home to some of the oldest grapevines on the planet. Just a short 45-minute drive from Adelaide, the region unfolds between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the Gulf St Vincent coastline, offering more than 80 cellar doors, acclaimed dining and boutique accommodation.
Beyond its celebrated vineyards lie sweeping beaches, rugged cliffs and an abundance of local wildlife. Here are five facts about the region that make it unique:
McLaren Vale has been crafting world-class red wines for more than 185 years. Many of the region’s founding families are still tending vines today, with generations of winemaking stories woven into the landscape.
With around 7,335 hectares under vine, McLaren Vale is proudly red-wine country. 90% of plantings are red varieties, with a small but expressive 8% devoted to whites.
The region’s strict biosecurity keeps McLaren Vale phylloxera-free, a rare status that helps preserve some of the oldest, most precious vines in the world.
McLaren Vale boasts the highest concentration of certified organic and biodynamic vineyards in Australia, reflecting a long-standing commitment to sustainable, thoughtful farming.
Few wine regions on earth match McLaren Vale’s geological diversity. With more than 55 unique soil and rock types, with some dating back 550 million years, the region is a natural playground for distinctive wine styles.
Learn more about this region via Australia.com or McLaren Vale Wine