The Auswine Forum

Hi All, wanting to get some inside info on the smaller end boutique wineries in the McLarenvale region. We will be there for a week and have been before, but visited the usual cellar doors. I have spent the morning going back through the archives here trying to find some answers myself, but no luck. Any help would be appreciated. Cheers

P.S. Have been checking the next post from Anon and the list everyone has been providing for McLarenvale - the only winery we haven't visited on that list was Pertaninga?. Any comments on this winery. I will google. Thanks!

Pertaringa are making some good wine and well priced too.

Like the Barossa, most of the McV boutiques don't have cellar doors but sell through places like Auswine, Gavin has numerous of the better ones.

Visit Samuels Gorge next to Chapel Hill, they are excellent according to my sources, I'm visiting them on Friday.

Paxton has a new CD that I'll be visiting for the first time on Friday as well

Another not to be missed is Foggo Road, lovely people and very good wines.

Shingleback (who won the latest Jimmy Watson) have a CD at the visitor centre as you first turn into McLaren Vale and before that on the left is Fonthill/Anvers, well worth a look.

If I find anything new and worthwhile I'll let you know.

Cheers Steve, all the wineries you mentioned we haven't been to, so really appreciate it!! Thanks again Are there any wineries that are by appointment only that you would recommend?

Depends if you're buying!

Oliverhill do occasionally see people who are buying from them. Their wines are excellent full throttle types.

A set up called Redheads on the McLaren Flat Road is a bunch of tiny winemakers, handful of barrels type stuff, but not sure who is head honcho or if they'll show you any wines. I've bought a couple out of there through Gavin at Auswine, in fact grabbed some more bottles from him just this morning of a brilliant semi amorone Shiraz called Pieri.

G'day FJ & welcome.

Samuel's Gorge fantastic, especially the Grenache, I'd go there first as when I was last there they were running short on Grenache (already sold out of Tempranillo).

I guess Kay's is a no-brainer but still worth a visit while you're up in that corner of the valley (just up the road from Samuel's Gorge). I reckon their muscat is often overlooked in the face of all their great reds, definitely worth a go and good QPR. Might be worth calling ahead to see if they have any Hillside left and if they have it for tasting.

Not many people get across to Hugo and Shottesbrooke, but I reckon they make some of the best value Shiraz in the Vale, and really good cellar door experiences. The current Hugo Shiraz is a bit too much charry oak for my tastes, but the Grenache Shiraz is fruit-forward and excellent.

Last but not least, definitely try to fit Saturday lunch in at Fino in Willunga, really fantastic food is a relaxed environment with a very eclectic (but in a good way) wine list.

Have Fun,
Nick

Thanks for the info Nick and the heads up on Fino too! We are actually staying in Wilunga so thats great. I have always just lurked in the background in here, but this is great and its really nice to have other people's input. Cheers - will let you know how we get on.

I second the suggestion of Kays, and Fino where I had great food at a sagrantino dinner last year.

I duck in to Coriole for olives and cheese even if not really tasting. Try the 2005 sangiovese there even if you have been before - it's their best effort with the varietal, I reckon.

d'Arenberg you may have already been to on past visits.

I'd stop at Foggos (not far from Kays) as well, for the red bubbles.

I duck in to Coriole for olives and cheese even if not really tasting. Try the 2005 sangiovese there even if you have been before - it's their best effort with the varietal, I reckon.


HERE, HERE,

The best Lunch in McLaren Vale.

I think we've mentioned a lot of these already in the other thread...

As I said before, Gemtree are well worth a visit - great wines, fantastic prices and no BS. I think they're sharing space with another winery or two at the Salopian Inn. I can't remember who though.

Cheers,
Ian

If anything go see the Bushing King for 04 and 06: Wayne Thomas. recently he has been quite sick, and rumours say that there is not a lot of time left for him. So get in quick and avoid the Christmas rush. Grab some of his Petit Verdot: I liken it to have an encounter with a cheap hooker; slaps you round the face, a touch dirty but leaves a smile on your face and just quietly, you will come back for more.

Hugh Hamilton is also a great place to visit, if for nothing more to look over the sweeping plains of vineyard's. Also if you go there in oyster season you can get fantastic fresh oysters prepared by some of Adelaides leading restaraunt's.

Whilst your down that way drop into Ilya Vineyard's. Located at the top of Toop Rd in Kuitpo. Their Shiraz is unlike anything else from that area and well worth a look at. You may have to call ahead but well worth the 40 cents. They also do a massive Pinot at about 14% alc. I know, not keeping true to the style but defiently eye opening.

I agree that Foggo is a must see. They spend less money on thier marketing and more on their booze.

Penny's Hill, is another place to go. Great food in the restaraunt and Ben Riggs is quite handy at putting together great booze.

Cheers, Wine Bloke.

wine bloke wrote:If anything go see the Bushing King for 04 and 06: Wayne Thomas. recently He has been quite sick, and rumours say that there is not a lot of time left for him.

That's terrible news WB - it's not that long ago we lost Len Evans, Greg Trott & Jim Brand.

Cheers,
Ian

Go and see Dave Cheesley at Willunga Creek Wines if your down south, below is the link.
He also manages properties etc. (ours for one)

http://www.willungacreekwines.com.au/Main.html

Visited Samuels Gorge on Friday, just two wines available, a 2004 Grenache and a 2004 Shiraz, both very impressive wines.

The Grenache is amongst the top three or four I've had and shows how good it can be in the right hands.

We looked at a barrel sample of a belter 2006 Tempranillo, serious and delicious, makes most others I've tried look second rate.

We also got a look at the as yet unopened cellar door of Oliver's Taranga that is in a renovated 19th century cottage now ewith a new office attached. About 3-4 months until opening we were told. They've also just constructed a barrel and storage shed adjacent to the cellar door. This will be a good addition to McLaren Vale as their wines are excellent due to the usual combination of site, viticulture and winemaking.