Wine isn’t the only drink that makes a splash in McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast.

A community of trailblazing distillers also bring an impressive collection of craft spirits to the table.

1)  Angove Family Winemakers, McLaren Vale

Top-drawer brandy is a beautiful thing. Angove Family Winemakers is a fifth-generation family winemaking business and has been producing its benchmark St Agnes Brandy for 95 years.   

Must try: The new St Agnes Brandy flight experience at the Angove McLaren Vale Cellar Door in the heart of the family’s historic, organic and biodynamic Warboys Vineyard. Taste three treasures from Australia's oldest continually operating craft distillery -  the Bartenders Cut (eight-year-old),  XO (15 year-old)  and XO Imperial Blend (20-year-old). 

2)  Settlers Spirits at d'Arenberg Cube, McLaren Vale 

Make a day of it and enjoy a full gin tasting at The Cube overlooking panoramic view across the picturesque McLaren Vale region. You can choose between two gin flights and enjoy their extensive range that includes sloe and pink gins as well as a plethora of flavoured gins to satisy your taste buds.

Must try: Enjoy a 30 minute wine tasting. 30 minute gin tasting and a self guided tour of the d'Arenberg Cube.

3)  Never Never Distilling Co, McLaren Vale

An architecturally-designed back to back award winning distillery door with uninterrupted views of McLaren Vale is the spiritual home of Never Never Distilling Co.  

Never Never owners George Georgiadis, Sean Baxter, and Tim Boast know a thing or two about gin, so make sure you taste the team’s line-up of juniper-forward gins including the Southern Strength Gin which won the World’s Best Classic Gin at the 2019 World Gin Awards.    

Must try: Their Dark Series of experimental gins including Ginache made with Never Never’s award-winning Triple Juniper Gin and Grenache using grapes picked from Chalk Hill’s Slate Creek vineyard.  It sold out fast but the team kept a few bottles aside.

4)  Neat Spirits and Fortifieds, McLaren Vale

Discover Neat Spirits, a small and relaxed distillery serving refreshingly different gins, vodkas and cocktails. Find a spot on our huge lawn area in one of our famous lime green armchairs, and unwind with an Appletini Crumble cocktail or Raspberry Tart Gin. Neat is located halfway along the Flat to Vale cycle and walking trail – the perfect refreshment pitstop!

Must Try: Neat’s Sunshine Citrus Gin is a summery burst of ruby red grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin and yuzu.

5)  Salopian Inn Gin Bar, McLaren Vale

One of McLaren Vale’s most beloved restaurants also has an exceptional Gin Bar. 

Pull up a stool at the bar and check out the Salopian’s encyclopaedic list of about 150 different gins from around  Australia and the globe. You will definitely need a drink after reading the dizzyingly diverse gin menu but a local tip -take  guidance from sommelier and drinks guru, Alex Marchetti.  

Must try: The Summer Gin (a bespoke collaboration with Kangaroo Island Spirits) delivering a fresh style with hints of saltbush and mint, making a cracking G&T to sip at the beach on a hot summer’s day.

6)  McLaren Vale Distillery, Blewitt Springs

McLaren Vale Distillery is home to a delicious single malt whisky, but also make gin and fortified wines. 

Must try: Awarded Brand Innovator of the year in 2018 by Icons of Whisky, the tasting room offers a Barley to Bottle experience hosted in the distillery where you are seated next to the large copper stills and talked through the process of whisky making.

Winery Restaurants in McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast

McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast isn't just home to some of South Australia's finest wines — it's also one of the state's most exciting dining destinations. Just 40 minutes south of Adelaide, a growing number of wineries across the region have embraced the long lunch tradition, offering memorable dining experiences that showcase the region's rich food culture alongside their signature drops.

Think seasonal menus, fresh local produce and creative dishes served in stunning cellar door settings. From architecturally striking spaces to relaxed vineyard views, the vibe is always warm and welcoming — whether you're settling in for a full degustation or sharing a few plates over a bottle of red.

Many of the chefs behind these kitchens work closely with nearby growers, producers and artisans, so what lands on your plate is as local as the wine in your glass. It's the paddock-to-plate philosophy at its very best — and it's the kind of place where lunch easily stretches into the afternoon. That's exactly how it should be.

So if you're planning your next food and wine adventure, McLaren Vale's winery restaurants should be at the top of your list. Just be sure to book ahead — the secret's well and truly out.

At a Glance: Winery Restaurants in McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast

• Location: McLaren Vale & the Fleurieu Coast, 40 minutes south of Adelaide
• Cuisine style: Seasonal, paddock-to-plate, local produce-focused
• Dining styles available: Shared plates, long lunches, degustation menus, casual cellar door dining
• Bookings: Essential at most venues — particularly on weekends and during harvest season (February–April)
• Best time to visit: Year-round — harvest season is especially popular for its unique winery atmosphere
• Dietary options: Most venues cater for vegetarian and other dietary requirements — confirm when booking
• Best for: Special occasions, long weekend escapes, food and wine lovers, couples, groups

Why Are McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast Winery Restaurants Worth the Trip?

What sets McLaren Vale's winery dining scene apart from other Australian wine regions is the combination of quality and setting. You're not just eating well — you're doing it surrounded by some of the most beautiful vineyard landscapes in the country, often with cellar door access to the very wines being poured at your table.

The region's proximity to Adelaide makes it an easy day trip for city visitors, but many diners choose to stay overnight and make a full weekend of it — pairing a long lunch on Saturday with a coastal morning on the Fleurieu and more cellar door exploration on Sunday. If that sounds appealing, browse accommodation options across the region to make the most of your visit.

March and April are particularly magical times to dine in McLaren Vale. Harvest season brings an energy to the wineries that's unlike any other time of year — winemakers are on-site, the vines are being picked, and the connection between what's in your glass and what's happening in the vineyard outside is immediate and tangible.

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Tips for Visiting McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast Winery Restaurants

Book ahead — always. Most of McLaren Vale's winery restaurants are operating at or near capacity on weekends. The more popular venues book out weeks in advance, particularly during harvest season, long weekends and school holidays. Don't leave it to the day before.

Allow plenty of time. A winery restaurant long lunch is not a one-hour affair. Budget two to three hours minimum, and resist the urge to schedule anything demanding afterwards. The whole point is to linger.

Plan your designated driver or consider a tour. With so many exceptional wines on offer, it's worth thinking about how your group will get around. Several local operators run guided wine tours with transport from McLaren Vale township — a great option that means everyone can enjoy the experience fully.

Visit during harvest season if you can. Dining at a winery restaurant during vintage (February to April) adds an extra dimension to the experience — you may see picking bins rolling in, meet the winemaker, or taste wines from the current vintage as they develop.

Check for special events. Many of McLaren Vale's winery restaurants host long weekend events, live music lunches and seasonal dining experiences throughout the year. Check the events calendar before you visit.

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