Australian Traveller — Issue 75 — June-July 2017

AUSTRALIANTRAVELLER.COM 113

DETAILS

Getting there

McLaren Vale is a 45-minute drive

down the Southern Expressway

from Adelaide CBD. Ben has a

range of tours to explore the

region. We took the Fork and

Grape, a one-day tour including

morning tea, lunch and far too

much wine. offpistetours.com.au

Dining there

THE SALOPIAN INN

Part of McLaren Vale’s history

since 1851, Karena Armstrong

took over The Salopian Inn in

2012 and makes use of her

kitchen garden and Fleurieu

produce to fuel her menu.

The restaurant also boasts a

230-bottle gin collection, for

your G&T hour. salopian.com.au

Drinking there

BERESFORD WINES

Opened late last year, this

award-winning tasting pavilion

offers wine and cheese tastings

from $15, while the newly

renovated homestead can be

booked for weddings and private

functions. beresfordwines.com.au

Staying there

THE VINTAGE

Two private 19th-century-style

suites make a place of respite

after a hard day of wining and

dining. Read a book by the

fireplace or relax in a steamy

bubble bath. vintage.net.au

Playing there

WILLUNGA FARMERS MARKETS

Farmers, producers and bakers

sell the best of the Fleurieu every

Saturday. Try Bull Creek Bakery’s

wood-fired venison pie.

willungafarmersmarket.com.au

OUTSIDE THE

SQUARE

Aiming to create a new
architectural landmark in the
region, chief winemaker Chester
Osborn was inspired by the
shape of the Rubik’s cube for
his new five-storey tasting
complex, the d’Arenberg cube.
“Our label names are such a
puzzle to work out, and wine
is such a puzzle to work out,
so we thought, what’s the most
iconic puzzle out there?” he
says. With an opening slated for
early 2018, the Cube will house
a new tasting room, several
bars, a new restaurant and
exhibition space. “The tasting
room at d’Arenberg has been
full for the past 13 years,”
Chester continues. “Something
bigger like this has been in the
back of my mind for many
years. It will offer a completely
different experience.”
darenberg.com.au/cube

CLOCKWISE FROM

TOP LEFT: Making

friends; Stay at The Vintage;

Rolling hills; Country life.

OPPOSITE (from far left):

Beresford Wines’ homestead;

The award-winning tasting

pavilion; A d’Arenberg shiraz;

The sparkling Silver Sands;

Tasting time at Primo Estate;

Living local – host Ben’s house.