So the ultimate McLaren Vale showcase, Sea & Vines, starts in just a week. But you’re a week-by-week planner who throws caution to the wind. Who cares what’s already sold out, you want to know what’s still available and going to blow you away! Grab your resident designated driver, pack your sleeping bags for when you’ve have a tipple too much and get set for the weekend, because we’ve an itinerary here that’s jam packed to the brim. Not that we expect you to see it all. But if you managed to get around to it, well, let’s just say we have a special commemorative tee shirt waiting for you to mark your achievement.
Friday 10th
De Lisio Wines – Label Art Dinner @ Stump Hill Gallery
796 Main Rd, McLaren Vale
Kick things off on Friday with a show-stopping three course dinner by Chef Robert Yates of Decant Restaurant, alongside guided tastings through four premium vintages from De Lisio wines by the winemaker himself, Tony De Lisio. Watch on as De Lisio’s label artist brings to life a new design for the coming vintage on the night! Tickets to this dinner also include a six-pack of new release wine, so you really can’t wish for a better start. Tickets here.
Saturday 11th
Willunga Farmers Market Kitchen Table
Willunga Farmers Market & The Producers, 67 Branson Rd, McLaren Vale
Start bright and early and head along to the iconic Willunga Farmers Markets for an exclusive culinary journey with McLaren Vale Foodie Pip Forrester as your guide. With baskets full of goodies, you’ll then be transported back to The Producers Farm Kitchen in McLaren Vale where you will be part of a tutored cooking class of cheese making, sour dough pizzas and a little wine blending on the side! Finally enjoy the fruits of your labor around a shared table with vineyard views to the Willunga Hills. Tickets here.
D’Arry’s Verandah Degustation
Osborn Rd, McLaren Vale
Be greeted by the legendary ‘d’Arry’ himself, before indulging your senses with eight sumptuous courses, brimming with local produce, and expertly matched to award winning d’Arenberg wines. Sprawling vineyards and views over the rolling hills of McLaren Vale provide the perfect setting for this unforgettable experience at d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant. This will be something special. Also available on Sunday and Monday. Tickets here.
D’Arenberg Wine Masterclass
Osborn Rd, McLaren Vale
Did you know that d’Arenberg basket presses all of their grapes, both red and white? Learn about how this draws out the gorgeous flavours in their range and more, at their wine masterclass. Graze on a complimentary cheese plate, hear about age-old winemaking techniques, and be guided through a mixture of traditional and emerging varieties, including Grenache, Sagrantino, Aglianico and more. Also available on Sunday and Monday. Tickets here.
James Morrison Live @ Maxwell Wines
CNR Olivers Rd and Chalk Hill Rd, McLaren Vale
James Morrison is known throughout the world for his sheer brilliance as a jazz musician and entertainer and joining him on stage is one of Melbourne’s most sought after jazz vocalists Hetty Kate to help make up the James Morrison Quintet. Indulge with the VIP experience of a 5 course degustation paired with Maxwell wines and gold reserve seating for the concert. Or, take the more laid back approach with a Silver Reserve ticket, including a glass of wine on arrival and food available to purchase on the evening as you wish. Tickets will be available on the door on the night. Call Maxwell’s for more information on 8323 8200.
Nick Stock’s VIP Wine Tour
Award-winning South Australian wine guy, Nick Stock, is set to take you on a day-long tour of McLaren Vale. Nick will host one-off tastings with the region’s best winemakers, guide you through parts of the Vale the public rarely gets to see, and set up surprise tastings in unique locations. You’ll enjoy lunch at V. Mitolo & Sons Pizzateca, with local rock star turned winemaker Tony Mitolo cooking up a storm and local singer, songwriter and producer Surahn spinning records. The boys are founding members of local disco outfit The Swiss and toured together for 6 years as members of Empire of the Sun. This will be a day to remember! Plus you’ll receive 4 stylish Plumm wine glasses to take home after the tour. Break three (by accident) and you still come out on top! Tickets here.
Sunday 12th
Bondar Wines Shed Party
Chalk Hill Road & Twentyeight Road, McLaren Vale
Bondar Wines are a little winery in McLaren Vale making wines that are brighter, lighter, and a little different (they also took out two trophies at McLaren Vale’s wine show last year). This year for Sea and Vines they are having a SHED PARTY on Sunday, featuring food by the very talented boys at Snap Crackle, tunes by WOMAD-playing artist Ripley, and beats by Adelaide’s pre-eminent DJ Driller. Your ticket gets you entry, entertainment, a glass and your first glass of wine. Tickets here.
SC Parnell’s Day of the Dead End
60 Olivers Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171
Premier wine label S.C. Pannell are celebrating the release of their brand new Dead End Tempranillo, with a four course Hispanic inspired menu, live beats and of course, the Tempranillo on hand to guzzle! Dress code is the finest outfit you have, with a creative twist. Tickets here.
Ultimate Shirax Masterclass at Wirra Wirra Wines
463 McMurtrie Rd, McLaren Vale
Wirra Wirra are banking on the idea that nobody will get tired of tasting their 698 Shiraz during Sea and Vines. Of course, who could ever get tired of wine. This ultimate shiraz experience will be a very special opportunity to try some of their best current Shiraz as well as museum wines. And if that doesn’t get you we know the chocolate platter will. Delve behind the scenes with an intimate winery tour, learn about barrel ageing in their historic Ironstone Cellars, and taste five of Wirra Wirra’s best including a rare museum wine in Trott’s famous Old Cellar Door. There will be two sessions at 11am and 1pm. Tickets here.
Secrets of The Sea With Michael Angelakis @ Hardy’s Tintara
202 Main Road, McLaren Vale
Adelaide seafood icon Michael Angelakis will be bringing the best produce from his famous city fishmongers to Hardy’s to pair with their delicious wines. Smoky Bay Oysters 3 ways, Bluw Swimmer Crab, SA Gulf Prawns and fresh sashimi are all on the menu, tied together with a beautiful chocolate dessert and the full range of Hardy’s vintages. Tickets here.
Monday 13th
Monday Zest @ Wirra Wirra
463 McMurtrie Rd, McLaren Vale
Latin love, Italian passion and the best blues music in town. A combination that only Wirra Wirra could come up with. This little mix is zesty to say the least, with Taco Cat & Adelaide Wood Fired Pizza bringing their soulful street food to Wirra’s Cellar Door. Joined by Room to Groove, this little mix brings the coolest blues together with hottest food sensations, in an event that will probably confuse and delight you all at the one time. No tickets required! That’s how we like it!
Woodstock French Degustation
215 Douglas Gully Road, McLaren Flat
Adelaide chef Nu Suandokmai has spent the better part of the last year at the helm of North Adelaide darling Cliché Exhibition, showcasing delicious French flavours. Now at new Gouger Street address Fish Head (the old British India location), Nu has continued to impress. Woodstock are dragging Nu out of his city kitchen to prepare a 9 course French inspired banquet showcasing some of his signature flavours and dishes. With Sunday already sold out, this is a not miss for foodies! Tickets here.
Festa del vino; Italian grapes through a McLaren Vale lens with Mike Bennie @ The Producers
67 Branson Rd, McLaren Vale, SA
McLaren Vale boasts a long history with Italian varieties in Australia, and offers a depth of interpretations through producers growing and working with these seemingly exotic grapes. What makes these varieties interesting? Are they seemingly more suited to our climate and cultural vernacular of Mediterranean influenced cuisine, al fresco lifestyle and drinking culture? Why should we be drinking them? Hang on, do they even taste good? Host, wine writer Mike Bennie, will lead a round table tasting and discussion exploring Italian grape varieties planted in McLaren Vale, across 8 local wines. The White Wine Session in the morning will feature amongst others the beautiful 2016 Fiano from Oliver’s Taranga, the 2015 Vermetino from Five O’Clock Somewhere and the LaGita Arneis from Zerella Wines. Wait for the Red Wine Session in the afternoon and be indulged by Hither & Yon’s 2014 Aglianco, the 2013 Sagrantino from Mitolo and a broad sweep of the region’s tastiest Nero d’Avola. Tickets for the White Wine Session are here, while Red Wine lovers should look here.
Beresford Estate Masterclass Luncheon
252 Blewitt Spring Road, McLaren Flat
This long table Masterclass Luncheon will be catered by My Kitchen Rules Champion Bree May from ‘Food According to Bree’. Expertly matched with Beresford Estate’s range of wines and our newly released, Limited Release Shiraz, unwind on the final day of Sea & Vines with great wine, food and company, whilst taking in the breathtaking view across the Beresford Estate vineyard. Tickets here.
And here’s what you’ve missed out on…
To encourage you to get your plans together early, here two events that you should be green with
envy to be missing:
Gemtree Wines
Sunday 12 June, 167 Elliott Rd, McLaren Flat
Gemtree will be hosting the ultimate Spanish inspired fiesta overlooking the vines. Enjoy tapas and a glass of wine on arrival, then savour a trio of paellas paired with a trio of Tempranillo during your wine flight in the afternoon sun. It’s our tempo trio baby, and it’s going to be hot to trot!
Oliver’s Taranga Porchetta Party!
Sunday 12 June, 246 Seaview Rd, McLaren Vale
A three course lunch with a seafood twist from Chef Steele all produced sourced locally and a delicious porchetta from local butchers Ellis Meats. Acoustic music and all your favourite Oliver’s Taranga wine included.
So you missed out, big deal. You can still visit these cellar doors over the weekend and soak your tongue in their scrumptious wines!
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