3 Boutique Wineries to Visit in McLaren Vale

3 Boutique Wineries to Visit in McLaren Vale

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Posted 2012-09-13 by Bettina Buechelfollow
We all know the big and famous cellar doors, where on weekends and sometimes during the week, the crowd around the wine-tasting area is so large that we would rather go back. The coaches of the major groups are everywhere and the atmosphere of a nice tasting is over. Not that the huge wineries do not produce fantastic wines but sometimes you prefer a more quiet place where you can talk to the person behind the counter and if you are lucky, even directly with the winemaker. Therefore, we have started to look for some of these small wineries from more than 70 cellar doors in McLaren Vale and found some. Following I will introduce 3 of my favorites to you. All of them are really worth a visit and sometimes difficult to find by yourself, since they do not promote themselves too much.

1. Battle of Bosworth Wines

This beautiful spot is located in Willunga and opened its door just in August 2011. The atmosphere in the 1850 old chaff shed and stables is perfect for the tasting of fine and sophisticated wine. Not to forget the great view over the vineyards, where you can enjoy a glass from the selection of wines from their wine cellar.



This is one of the few wineries in McLaren Vale that produces organically grown wines. This process took four years for them to obtain all the necessary certificates. But it was worth it. The number of awards and reviews they have received for their wines in different wine shows is enormous. Even the selection of different white and red wines is impressive.



Something unique:
You want to try something really special? They produce a wine which we have never tasted in Australia before. The "Puritian Shiraz", a very fresh and lively young wine, without having ever been in an oak barrel and with no added preservatives. This reminds us of the French wine "Beaujolais nouveau" which is bottled each year after a short time in tanks in November and is immediately ready to drink (but not to cellar).

Opening hours:
Friday to Monday, from 11 to 5pm

Website:
www.battleofbosworth.com.au

2. Willunga Creek Wines

This winery is located in the Willunga Hills and has a picturesque view of the entire McLaren Vale wine region. We visited this cellar door at random. The sign on the Main Street in Willunga shows a large black duck and indicates, that 2.3 km in that direction a cellar door is to be found. At first we were a little skeptical, because we did not want to drive any long distance until the next cellar door. But in the end, we tried it. And for sure it was not a bad decision. This tiny and cozy cellar door is lovely and if you're lucky, you can meet a special character and great story teller behind the counter.



With their 12 hectares of planted vineyard, they specialize in red wines with a relatively small number. But their Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are rich and very intense in flavour, and have received already a variety of awards throughout the world. This spot is also fabulous to enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace in the hills with a magnificent view over McLaren Vale. And now we know the meaning of the black duck signs, as one of their wine ranges is named "Black Duck".



Opening hours:
Open only weekends

Website:
www.willungacreekwines.com.au

3. Foggo Wines

Foggo Wines is located in McLaren Vale on a side street of Kangarilla Road. This small family-owned winery has a long history back to the 1915's. Today, a team of two people, husband and wife, are managing the entire wine business. From pruning and hand picking to bottling and labeling, this enthusiastic team does everything independently on their property. And if you go to a wine tasting, you can be sure that you will find the winemakers themselves behind the counter and lead an interesting conversation about wine and all that is behind it.



The grape variety consists of white and red, but they are more specialized in reds. One dry Chardonnay and the new-comer Moscato (light sweet and low in alcohol) completes more or less the range of whites. An old bush Vine Grenache and some full bodied and balanced Shiraz wines make it difficult to select the best of it. All of them are fantastic wines and with great flavour. We have our favorite. Just visit this amazing Boutique Winery and make your own choice.



Something unique:
Foggo wines is the only winery in McLaren Vale that produces a Sparkling wine from the Grenache grape. Until now, we only knew the Grenache Rose, but we have never tasted a Grenache Sparkling. A good alternative to the well-known Sparkling Shiraz and a little lighter. Currently they are selling this rare variant for $10 a bottle. A must to try and buy.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday, from 10.30am to 4.30pm
Saturday to Sunday, from 11am to 5pm

Website:
www.foggowines.com.au

Each of these three cellar doors are worth to visit and we had a good time at their place. If you escape the city next time and decide to visit McLaren Vale, jump into one of these places and enjoy their marvelous wines and the friendly and interesting hospitality.

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107101 - 2023-06-12 12:51:44

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