Another region Martin enjoyed having so close to home, being a mere 30 minute drive from his home town of Adelaide, McLaren Vale’s mixture of international wine brands, family-owned wineries and artisan winemakers delivers a complete offering of premium red and white wines. Varying exposure and changes in altitude and soil types throughout the region ensure an inspiring mix of food, wine and lifestyle.
McLaren Vale is widely recognised as one of Australia’s greenest wine regions because of its ongoing water use efficiency strategies and commitment to environmental sustainability.
With a mixture of wine brands of international significance, the Vale has a complete offering of premium red and white wines.
The flats of the McLaren Vale are compared often with the Mediterranean climate, warm sunny days with fresh sea breezes from the nearby Gulf of St Vincent to temper high summer heats. Its proximity to the Mount Lofty Ranges sees the cool gully winds fall down from the hills in the late evening and early morning, chilling the grapes to retain crisp acidity and structure. Good winter rainfall (580-700mm) and low relative humidity ensure consistency of ripening and premium quality fruit. Frost is rare, as is rain before vintage. Long dry summers through to late autumn, with a mean January temperature of 21.7ºC and 1920 heat degree days, means McLaren Vale is considered one of the safest wine growing regions in Australia.
The region is known for its Shiraz and Grenache, but Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay all do very well in the appropriate location.
Acknowledgement: Wine Australia and SA Wine Industry Association