McLaren Vale
Boutique wineries close to the city
While McLaren Vale itself is a fairly nondescript town, its eponymous wine region is one of Australia’s finest. It’s an easy 45-minute drive south of Adelaide, peppered with mainly family-owned, boutique wineries producing internationally renowned shiraz, as well as cabernet sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvèdre and other niche varieties.
Outstanding wineries include panoramic d’Arenberg, adventurous Alpha Box & Dice and veteran Coriole, the latter also worth a stop for its farm shop. Coriole and d’Arenberg also offer notable restaurants (book ahead).
McLaren Vale is located around 40km south of Adelaide.
Car: From Adelaide, take South Rd and the Southern Expy (M2).
Train & Bus Adelaide Metro trains connect Adelaide to Seaford, from where bus 751 runs to McLaren Vale. That said, booking a day tour of the region is more convenient. Notable small-group operators include Chook’s Little Winery Tours and Cellar Door Tours.