Wine Producing Regions - McLaren Vale

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• Overview
• Adelaide Hills
• Adelaide Plains
• Barossa Valley
• Clare Valley
• Coonawarra
• Currency Creek
• Eden Valley
• Kangaroo Island
• Langhome Creek
• McLaren Vale
• Mount Benson
• Padthaway
• Riverland
• Southern Fleurieu
• Southern Flinders
• Wrattonbully

McLaren Vale, South Australia

John Reynell planted grapes at Reynella in 1838 and later employed a young labourer named Thomas Hardy. In so doing, the foundations were being put in place for two wine dynasties that were to dominate the region for over a century. McLaren Vale became the model of the small winery before such enterprises became fashionable in other states, and it remains one of the most richly varied and highly developed areas in Australia, producing intensely flavoured and coloured red wines and similarly powerful whites.

The region is bordered to the north by the city of Adelaide with Adelaide Hills to the east, Sellicks Hill Range to the south and the Gulf of St Vincent to the west. The landscape though ever changing is nonetheless invariably beautiful, with rivers—notably the Onkaparinga and its tributaries—hills, olive groves and forests all co-existing and confirming yet again the need for the all-important correct site selection.

Hitherto it had been difficult to describe the official climate of McLaren Vale, as there was no local weather station and statistical data had to be taken from the Waite Institute, located in a southern suburb of Adelaide some 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) to the north. However, a weather station was opened in nearby Noarlunga in 2000, and temperature readings have been used from that station in the calculation of heat degree days given below.

Due to varying exposure, the cooling influence of the nearby ocean (or conversely, to protection from it) and also to significant changes in altitude as the region merges with the hills, there is substantial mesoclimatic variation throughout McLaren Vale. Summer rainfall is low and irrigation is considered essential. Site selection and the marriage of site to variety are all important; Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay all do very well in the appropriate location. Riesling tends to be subtle and delicate in youth but ages well. Pinot Noir is used mainly for sparkling wine. Many producers are now experimenting with new and re-emerging varieties including Viognier, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Verdelho.

There is a wide variety of soil types, a reflection of the varied terrain; red brown sandy loams, grey brown loamy sands with yellow clay subsoils interspersed with lime, distinctly sandy soils (around Blewitt Springs) and patches of red or black friable loams are all to be found. As the long-standing and intensive viticulture attests, most soils in the region are well suited to grape growing.

Wine Notes

Chardonnay

Since its introduction a little over 15 years ago, Chardonnay has, not surprisingly, established a stranglehold on white grape plantings in the region. The style varies according to site, winemaker input and vintage conditions and ranges from elegant, citrus-tinged wines through to richer, fleshier, peachy and buttery versions. Virtually every producer has a Chardonnay in its locker.

Sauvignon Blanc

The cooler sites in McLaren Vale are well suited to Sauvignon Blanc. While vintage variation does play a role, in most years the wines have excellent varietal character tending to gooseberry and tropical fruit rather than more weedy, grassy flavours without becoming coarse or heavy. Semillon is often incorporated to very good effect as a blend component.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The wines are full bodied and rich, often with a touch of dark chocolate intermixed with black currant but they avoid overripe, jam-like characteristics. The tannins are plentiful but soft, and the wines have the structure for long aging. The significant amounts Cabernet Sauvignon produced in the region are blended with less rich wines from other parts of South Australia to provide body and structure in large volume commercial blends.

Grenache

Just as in the Barossa Valley, this variety has enjoyed a spirited renaissance during the last decade. The older plantings produce incredibly richly flavoured wines, high in alcohol and with an almost juicy sweetness.

Shiraz

For much of the 20th century—as in so many of the premium wine growing districts of Australia—Shiraz was the backbone of the industry. It produces a densely coloured, richly flavoured wine that quickly develops a velvety texture and carries high alcohol levels with ease.