McLaren Vale
South Australia, south of Adelaide, between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the sea.
Warm Mediterranean with pronounced sea breezes from Gulf St Vincent; long, dry autumns.
McLaren Vale, a rolling landscape of old vines and olive trees between the hills and the sea south of Adelaide, is one of Australia's most characterful red-wine regions. Its Shiraz is simultaneously rich and refreshing, and its old-vine Grenache has become a global treasure.
A wave of 'alternative varieties' - Fiano, Vermentino, Nero d'Avola - has reinvigorated the region, and some of Australia's most exciting natural winemakers call it home.
For the buyer, McLaren Vale offers personality-driven reds, serious old-vine wines and a livelier drinking experience than its great northern neighbour.
Terroir & Soil
Undulating country with varied soils from clay over ironstone to sand and limestone; some of the oldest Grenache and Shiraz vines in the world.
What to Expect from the Wines
- · McLaren Vale Shiraz is plush and chocolatey, with a fragrant, cool edge from the sea.
- · The region has become Australia's workshop for old-vine Grenache and a wave of Italian varieties like Fiano.
- · Its reds are more savoury and restrained than Barossa's, yet still generous.
Remarkable Bottles from McLaren Vale
All wines →McLaren Vale Shiraz
McLaren Vale · 2024 (representative vintage)
McLaren Vale Shiraz is an red wine from Australia, in the McLaren Vale region (South Australia, south of Adelaide, between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the sea.), made principally from Shiraz. a house-style McLaren Vale shiraz that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
McLaren Vale Grenache
McLaren Vale · 2024 (representative vintage)
McLaren Vale Grenache is an red wine from Australia, in the McLaren Vale region (South Australia, south of Adelaide, between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the sea.), made principally from Grenache. a house-style McLaren Vale grenache that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
McLaren Vale Mourvèdre
McLaren Vale · 2024 (representative vintage)
McLaren Vale Mourvèdre is an red wine from Australia, in the McLaren Vale region (South Australia, south of Adelaide, between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the sea.), made principally from Mourvèdre. a house-style McLaren Vale mourvèdre that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon
McLaren Vale · 2024 (representative vintage)
McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon is an red wine from Australia, in the McLaren Vale region (South Australia, south of Adelaide, between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the sea.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. a house-style McLaren Vale cabernet sauvignon that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
McLaren Vale Fiano
McLaren Vale · 2024 (representative vintage)
McLaren Vale Fiano is an white wine from Australia, in the McLaren Vale region (South Australia, south of Adelaide, between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the sea.), made principally from Fiano. a house-style McLaren Vale fiano that showcases the grape in this region.
$12–$28 est. retail
McLaren Vale Vermentino
McLaren Vale · 2024 (representative vintage)
McLaren Vale Vermentino is an white wine from Australia, in the McLaren Vale region (South Australia, south of Adelaide, between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the sea.), made principally from Vermentino. a house-style McLaren Vale vermentino that showcases the grape in this region.
$12–$28 est. retail
Food Pairing
- · McLaren Vale Shiraz pairs with grilled lamb, charred meats and pizza.
- · Grenache is lovely with Mediterranean braised dishes.
- · Fiano is a wonderful seafood and antipasti white.
Buying from McLaren Vale
- › Look for 'old vine' Grenache across the Vale's boutique growers.
- › Single-vineyard Shiraz from the Blewitt Springs or Seaview sub-regions is superb.
- › The region's Grenache and Shiraz, plus the exciting Italian-variety whites, define modern McLaren Vale.