McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale
Thanks to its location next to the sea, and bordered by the Mount Lofty ranges, the location of McLaren Vale is ideal for growing grapes. Add adequate rainfall, a long, warm summer and a cooling effect thanks to airflow from the sea, and you have vineyard utopia. This did not go unnoticed by Australian wine luminary John Reynell, who planted the first grapes in South Australia in 1838. Variable is the key word in the region, with a wide variety of soil types, a mixed topography sheltering and exposing sites to the cool winds which blow in off the sea and climate conditions changing with a site's proximity to the mountains. Above all, a real fruit salad of grape varieties takes up vineyard space in McLaren Vale. Unsurprisingly, Shiraz leads the charge and is blended with Grenache and Mourvedre to make award winning GSM wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Tempranillo are all found among the red vineyards, while Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc fly the flag for the white varieties.
