In the News

Rhône ranging: The evolution of Australia’s red Rhône varieties

"The grand cru of McLaren Vale. McLaren Vale is closer to the sea than Barossa and it’s not quite as hot. There are some extraordinary Grenache-based wines being produced here too, in a perfumed, red-fruited, slightly lighter style . . ."

Words by Matt Walls
Published on Decanter
21 August 2024

A place in the sun: The Rhône’s white grapes take root in Australia

"Rhône-lovers will be on more familiar ground with Australian Roussanne, a grape that’s seen stunning success in McLaren Vale. Peter Fraser, winemaker at Yangarra, has planted all of the 13 permitted Châteauneuf-du-Pape varieties except Picardan. His pure Roussanne, named Roux Beauté, stands up to the finest French examples. Thistledown and d’Arenberg provide further evidence of its promise here . . ."

Words by Matt Walls
Published on Decanter
16 August 2024

Deep Dive into McLaren Vale Grenache

"McLaren Vale – arguably the finest Australian territory for the grape – now leading the charge for making grenache in a considered way, with many of the wines of the past – which were often dry and rustic or were dominated by confected raspberry notes – being replaced with wines that can be earthy and savoury, as well as fragrantly pretty. These expressions broke new ground in Australia, and are fast building a global reputation for this variety, from this region . . ."

Words by Young Gun of Wine
Published on Young Gun of Wine
24 May 2024

James Halliday AM honoured with the inaugural d'Arry Osborn Award

"James Halliday AM has been honoured with the inaugural d'Arry Osborn Award that was presented at the 2023 McLaren Vale Wine Show's Bushing Lunch.The d'Arry Osborn Award recognises an individual or company that has championed and promoted grenache and its blends in McLaren Vale. The award honours the legacy of d'Arry Osborn who was an advocate for grenache, and who stood against the vine pull scheme run by the government in the 1980s. The scheme threatened McLaren Vale's old vines, which included a lot of grenache that now produces award-winning wines . . ."

Words by J'aime Cardillo
Published on Wine Companion
30 October 2023

Marcus Ellis on McLaren Vale's GI and districts

"Australian wine regions have legally controlled borders, but within those boundaries, variations in geology, soil, climate, elevation and aspect can create pockets of individuality that are reflected in the wines made – an expression of terroir, in other words. While those sites and subregions may take time to be officially recognised, that’s not slowing down independent research by growers and makers in McLaren Vale. Today, a project that is almost a decade and a half old is yielding results that could see us better understand the complex nuances of the region . . ."

Words by Marcus Ellis
Published on Wine Companion
3 October 2023

The Many Faces of McLaren Vale

Comparisons of wines from South Australia to the Rhône Valley are particularly pertinent, now more than ever. Shiraz has dominated the landscape and the headlines for decades, but now there is greater respect for the other Rhône varieties. Grenache and Mourvédre (commonly referred to as Mataro), in particular, as well as Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, are gaining in popularity. The leaps and bounds made with Grenache over the last decade are perhaps the most exciting development in the local fine wine scene . . .

Words by Angus Hughson.
Published in Vinous
February 2023

Centre of biodynamic winemaking in Australia

Few winemakers are confronting climate breakdown as fast and with as much finesse as the South Australian innovators of McLaren Vale, where sustainability is poured into each and every glass.

Full article attached.

Words by Rebecca Foreman.
Published in South China Morning Post
May 2023

Make Mine a Monte

Lino Ramble Domino Montepulciano 2019 is the best of both worlds. So sophisticated, complex and silky-smooth yet finished dry and slightly grippy. A real joy.

Full article attached.

Words by Dan Traucki.
Published in WBM
March / April 2023

WINE BUSINESS MAGAZINE - ON SOLID ROCK, SACRED GROUND

Until the mid-1990s very few people outside of South Australia had heard of McLaren Vale as a winegrowing region. However today, around the world, it is one of Australia's better-known wine regions.

Full article attached.

Words by Dan Traucki.
Published by WBM
March / April 2023

The Vintage Journal - McLaren Vale 2022

The results of our recent trip to McLaren Vale, a region that is going from strength to strength. There are over 150 wine reviews plus essays from Angus Hughson and Andrea Pritzker MW, a new addition to The Vintage Journal team, as well as an extensive history of the region. We also feature the Living Icons from vineyards planted before 1900.

Words by Andrew Caillard MW.
Published in The Vintage Journal
December 2022

RAC 'Horizons' Magazine - Feel Good McLaren Vale

For Western Australians, stunning coastal wine regions don’t get much better than Margaret River, but just over the border, producers in South Australia’s McLaren Vale are doing some interesting new things in one of the country’s oldest wine regions. McLaren Vale delivers a stunning gourmet seaside experience, with vibrant local markets, undulating sustainably run vineyards, oodles of biking and walking trails, and miles of white sand beaches fringing the aquamarine waters of Gulf St. Vincent.

Full article attached.

Words by Susan Gough Henly
Published by RAC Horizons Magazine, Perth
October 13, 2022

Australian Traveller '100 Amazing Road Trips' - McLaren Vale

The Saturday farmers market in Willunga packs up at noon, but even after a sleep-in and a crossword I still arrive with time to spare thanks to the wormhole-like Southern Expressway that whisks me through Adelaide’s southern suburbs to McLaren Vale. Growers and makers of every type cram into the local schoolyard, and I follow my nose (and the crowds) to the toastie stall for a gooey late breakfast.

Words by Alexis Buxton-Collins
Published by Australian Traveller
May 10, 2022

Old-Vines South Australia

Old vines may be a modern concept—or, at least, a distinction born out of modern viticulture, post phylloxera. According to Chester Osborn, who has collected old-vine parcels to build on his family’s d’Arenberg estate in McLaren Vale, vines planted on their own roots can survive for centuries in the dry conditions at his vineyards. It is largely the failure of the graft between the rootstock and the scion that creates what modern viticulturists consider the vine’s 40-year lifespan.

Words by Joshua Greene
Published by Wine & Spirits Magazine
February 7, 2022

Meet Sam Berketa Young Gun of Wine Awards 2021

Amanda Eve (2021 Wine Communicators of Australia Wine Media Cadet) sits down with the Young Gun of Wine Awards - People's Choice Winner, Sam Berketa of Alpha Box and Dice Winery in McLaren Vale to see how he is coming into his own in the Australian wine industry.

Words by Amanda Eve
Published by Great Wine Capitals
January 17, 2022

From Paddock to Plate – McLaren Vale is dishing up more than great wine!

Located just 45 minutes from Adelaide’s CBD, the McLaren Vale Wine Region is a popular and easily accessible wine tourism destination within South Australia. While known for producing world-class wines and pioneering many Mediterranean varietals such as Vermentino, Nero d'Avola and Tempranillo; it’s also an industry leader when it comes to sustainable agriculture.

Words by Amanda Eve
Published by Great Wine Capitals
January 17, 2022

Coastal Vines

A taste of the Mediterranean with a distinctly Aussie twist awaits at McLaren Vale. Susan Gough Henly discovers the best places to dine, drink and play in South Australia’s greenest wine region.

Words by Susan Gough Henly
Published by Gourmet Traveller

January 10, 2022

Must-visit McLaren Vale cellar doors

McLaren Vale's 80-plus wineries can be daunting for the uninitiated. To streamline your options and kick off your planning, we’ve pinpointed six unmissable cellar doors.

Published by Wine Companion

February 12, 2021

Organic Growth

South Australia's first wine region, McLaren Vale has grown to be one of the country's finest, elevated through a culture of respect and cooperation, and the locals' innovative and thoughtful attitude to wine production.

Words by Kate Symons
Published by mindfood.com
December 2, 2021

Trending Travel Spots - The Aussie towns to get across Now!

Sip the day away at the many McLaren Vale wineries.

Words by Gabrielle Del Grande
Published by New Idea, National
19 April 2021

Media Article: SA's wineries boast more than just a fine drop

Mona-style museums and cuisine are the latest to invade SA's wine region.

Words by Louise Goldsbury
Published by: Explore / Inspiration for Today's Smart Traveller
17 April 2021

McLaren Vale wines to try

Established in the early 1800s, SA’s McLaren Vale is one of Australia’s most historic winemaking areas.

Published by Wine Companion
7 April 2021

Searching for the Best Grenache in McLaren Vale

"Grenache is tough. Ruggedly so. Under extreme duress, in baking heat, with little water, it survives. Thrives even. But this kind of dogged persistence is not the stuff of glamour. Grenache doesn’t have the ethereal cachet of pinot noir, nor the regal cast of syrah. And even in its most famous vinous expressions, it is often accompanied, chaperoned by other varieties, both those perceived to be more and somewhat less noble. But grenache is far more than a reliable workhorse. And in South Australia’s McLaren Vale, it has found a home where solo expressions are breaking new ground . . . "

Words by Young Gun of Wine
Image courtesy of d'Arenberg
Published on Young Gun of Wine
6 September 2019