The Next Level: A lovely day in McLaren Vale

16/3/2015

First stop was the local tourist information center as they got a good coffee shop, free WiFi and an art exhibition. It took me a bit longer than usual to get through all of it as I didn't do much computer works on the weekend due to Stef's visit.

Next stop were a few cellar doors:

Coriole Vinyard:

Really good wines and a fantastic garden

Rosemount Wines

Good wines and a lovely long chat with the woman conducting the tasting as I picked a time when I was the only one there – Graham, whom I met at Wolf Blass, was her manager for several years. Rosemount usually have an art gallery too, but they are just preparing a new exhibition.

This hall would make a great venue for events

The Nursery Project - Cellar Door only wines

They are one of the most decorated wineries in Australia and apparently some of their wines are sold to over 100 countries worldwide

d'Arenberg

d'Arenberg are a family owned, over 100 year old winery and are producing outstanding wines. Very stylish place, some great premium wines and a sensational slow cooked lamb for lunch in their exquisite, luxurious restaurant.

I kind of like their labels - the artwork on them is great, the big red line crossing them fits nice on some, disturbs my eye on others though

The Dead Arm Shiraz, their flagship wine from the "icons" series, sells for around $65 per bottle - tried the 2006 and 2010 - liked the nose on the 2006 better but overall taste wise would go for the 2010. However, they would cellar well for at least 10 years.

The Amazing Sites Single Vinyard Shiraz - 2010 The Swinging Malaysian (my favourite), 2010 The Vociferate Dipomaniac Shiraz and the 2010 J.R.O Afflatus - all $99 a bottle and probably a lot too young to get their full potential out.

My table for lunch was next to this nice collection of wines... difficult to resist!

and S. C. Pannell

Great wines with cool labels, very stylish cellar door/tasting room and nice restaurant overlooking their surrounding vineyards. They got quite a lot of praise for their wines and can be found in upper class restaurants around Australia. They won the renowned Jimmy Watson memorial trophy in 2014 with their 2013 Adelaide Hill Shiraz - unfortunately sold out so no chance to even try it!

Lovely stuff - around the $25-35 mark

One level up, awesome wines ($45-55), especially 2012 The Vale

View from the deck

I parked the van in the caravan park and walked into town to check out Hardys.

Some people use their caravans to make a statement against Pokies (Spielautomaten)

Arty backyard with a barbell ready to get some bench press sets in

Hardys Wines

I did quite a big tasting at Hardys, most of the wines I had from them were their cheapest range and I have to say that their upper ranges of wines are really nice. They won a huge number of medals and prices and I had a good time there.

I tried a lot of their HRB and Tintara ranges and got to taste a lovely 2005 Chateau Reynella Basket Press Shiraz - awesome.