Key Varieties
One of Australia’s oldest and most celebrated wine regions, McLaren Vale has a 185-year history of commitment to excellence in the production of world-class premium red wines.
Our winegrowing utopia attracts some of the most talented and creative minds in winemaking, whose innovative approaches are evident in the constant evolution of the region’s wine styles and diversity, bringing out the best expressions of not only our celebrated traditional varieties of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, but also of the burgeoning range of climate-appropriate grape varieties that thrive here.
Shiraz
Crafted with gentle winemaking techniques and the careful use of oak, McLaren Vale Shiraz stands out for its elegance. Each bottle shows a distinct sense of place, reflecting the ancient soils, unique geology and coastal locale of our region. McLaren Vale’s Shiraz wines are as diverse as they are vibrant, and are testament to the region’s exceptional terroir and innovative spirit.
Flavour profile: Red, blue, and black fruits, chocolate, spice, earthy notes
Styles: Varietal styles range from fresh and fruit-driven to elegant and structured, as well as classic rich Shiraz and cellar-worthy selections.
Grenache
McLaren Vale is renowned as “one of the great Grenache growing regions of the world”. Our region's diverse terroir allows for a range of styles from bright and fragrant to complex and age-worthy– particularly from old vines grown in the region’s sandy soils. Minimal intervention winemaking, including whole bunch fermentation and careful oak treatment, enhances the complexity and elegance of these wines.
Flavour profile: vibrant red fruit (raspberry, cherry), floral notes, spice, earthy tones
Styles: Varietal Grenache from McLaren Vale is bright and complex with good acidity and fine integrated tannins.
Cabernet Sauvignon
McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon is distinguished by its full-bodied structure and complex flavour profile. The wines often exhibit well-integrated oak, firm yet approachable tannins, and a balanced palate, making them suitable for aging. The consistent quality and unique soils of McLaren Vale contribute to the region's reputation for producing some of Australia's most compelling Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
Flavour profile: ripe berry (blackberry, raspberry, red currant), bay leaf, mint, green seaside herbs and spices.
Styles: Cabernet Sauvignon wines from McLaren Vale are rich and opulent, yet smooth and balanced, with excellent tannin structure for ageing.
Emerging Red Varieties
The McLaren Vale wine region is leading Australia’s championing of emerging varieties, particularly those originating from the southern Mediterranean which best suit our warm coastal locale.
Notable varieties grown across the region include Nero d’Avola, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Tempranillo and Mencia.
Shiraz
Crafted with gentle winemaking techniques and the careful use of oak, McLaren Vale Shiraz stands out for its elegance. Each bottle shows a distinct sense of place, reflecting the ancient soils, unique geology and coastal locale of our region. McLaren Vale’s Shiraz wines are as diverse as they are vibrant, and are testament to the region’s exceptional terroir and innovative spirit.
Flavour profile: Red, blue, and black fruits, chocolate, spice, earthy notes
Styles: Varietal styles range from fresh and fruit-driven to elegant and structured, as well as classic rich Shiraz and cellar-worthy selections.
Grenache
McLaren Vale is renowned as “one of the great Grenache growing regions of the world”. Our region's diverse terroir allows for a range of styles from bright and fragrant to complex and age-worthy– particularly from old vines grown in the region’s sandy soils. Minimal intervention winemaking, including whole bunch fermentation and careful oak treatment, enhances the complexity and elegance of these wines.
Flavour profile: vibrant red fruit (raspberry, cherry), floral notes, spice, earthy tones
Styles: Varietal Grenache from McLaren Vale is bright and complex with good acidity and fine integrated tannins.
Cabernet Sauvignon
McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon is distinguished by its full-bodied structure and complex flavour profile. The wines often exhibit well-integrated oak, firm yet approachable tannins, and a balanced palate, making them suitable for aging. The consistent quality and unique soils of McLaren Vale contribute to the region's reputation for producing some of Australia's most compelling Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
Flavour profile: ripe berry (blackberry, raspberry, red currant), bay leaf, mint, green seaside herbs and spices.
Styles: Cabernet Sauvignon wines from McLaren Vale are rich and opulent, yet smooth and balanced, with excellent tannin structure for ageing.
Emerging Red Varieties
The McLaren Vale wine region is leading Australia’s championing of emerging varieties, particularly those originating from the southern Mediterranean which best suit our warm coastal locale.
Notable varieties grown across the region include Nero d’Avola, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Tempranillo and Mencia.
Fiano
Fiano – an ancient Italian white grape variety – has found its second home in coastal McLaren Vale. This alluring grape caught the attention of McLaren Vale winemakers 20 years ago, who were first to plant it in Australia. Since then McLaren Vale Fiano has garnered significant attention for its vibrant and versatile profile. Fiano is now McLaren Vale's third-most planted white grape and is widely recognised as the region’s icon white wine of the future.
Flavour profile: citrus (lemon, lime), green apple, pear, floral aromas, nutty undertones
Style: McLaren Vale Fiano showcases bright acidity, rich textures, notable minerality and complex flavours, which can age gracefully to develop deeper flavours and textures.
Chardonnay
McLaren Vale is recognised for refined and structured Chardonnays with distinctive balance and vibrant profile. These wines exhibit a harmonious blend of fruit, acidity, and subtle oak, making them versatile for pairing with a variety of dishes.
Flavour profile: bright citrus notes (lemon, lime), white peach, nectarine, green apple, hints of cashew and nougat.
Style: Our warm, maritime climate lends itself to a fuller-bodied, well-balanced style with refreshing acidity, a clean mineral finish, and a creamy texture often derived from subtle oak aeging.
Emerging White Varieties
The McLaren Vale wine region is leading Australia’s championing of emerging varieties, particularly those originating from the southern Mediterranean which best suit our warm coastal locale.
Notable white varieties grown across the region include Viognier, Vermentino and Picpoul. Upcoming emerging varieties include Grillo and Grenache Blanc.
Fiano
Fiano – an ancient Italian white grape variety – has found its second home in coastal McLaren Vale. This alluring grape caught the attention of McLaren Vale winemakers 20 years ago, who were first to plant it in Australia. Since then McLaren Vale Fiano has garnered significant attention for its vibrant and versatile profile. Fiano is now McLaren Vale's third-most planted white grape and is widely recognised as the region’s icon white wine of the future.
Flavour profile: citrus (lemon, lime), green apple, pear, floral aromas, nutty undertones
Style: McLaren Vale Fiano showcases bright acidity, rich textures, notable minerality and complex flavours, which can age gracefully to develop deeper flavours and textures.
Chardonnay
McLaren Vale is recognised for refined and structured Chardonnays with distinctive balance and vibrant profile. These wines exhibit a harmonious blend of fruit, acidity, and subtle oak, making them versatile for pairing with a variety of dishes.
Flavour profile: bright citrus notes (lemon, lime), white peach, nectarine, green apple, hints of cashew and nougat.
Style: Our warm, maritime climate lends itself to a fuller-bodied, well-balanced style with refreshing acidity, a clean mineral finish, and a creamy texture often derived from subtle oak aeging.
Emerging White Varieties
The McLaren Vale wine region is leading Australia’s championing of emerging varieties, particularly those originating from the southern Mediterranean which best suit our warm coastal locale.
Notable white varieties grown across the region include Viognier, Vermentino and Picpoul. Upcoming emerging varieties include Grillo and Grenache Blanc.
The top 5 varieties by planting size in the region (2024)
Of the 7,375 hectares of grapevines planted in the McLaren Vale wine region, the top 5 most widely planted varieties are:
| #1 Shiraz | 56.23% | 4,152 ha |
| #2 Cabernet Sauvignon | 17.54% | 1,295 ha |
| #3 Grenache | 6.93% | 512 ha |
| #4 Chardonnay | 3.46% | 256 ha |
| #5 Merlot | 2.38% | 176 ha |