Winter is a great time of year to enjoy McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast, and the season to experience some of South Australia’s best festivals and events.
Only 40 minutes south of Adelaide, come for an event, then stay a little longer. A bite to eat, wander through a gallery, book a cellar door tasting, follow the coast, settle in by the fire or turn it into a relaxed weekend away.
Make more of your visit Explore winter events
Make more of your winter visit
Cosy cellar doors and winter reds
McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast is one of Australia’s most recognised wine regions, and winter is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy it. Settle in at a cellar door, taste your way through bold reds, book a long lunch or find a fireside spot with vineyard views.
Long lunches, cafés and local food
Build your winter day around good food. From restaurants and bakeries to casual cafés, seaside dining, vineyard lunches and regional produce, there are plenty of places to eat before or after an event.
Gin, beer and spirits
Discover local breweries, taprooms, distilleries and relaxed drinks experiences across McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast. It’s an easy way to add another stop to your winter itinerary.
Explore breweries and distilleries
Art, galleries and village wandering
Winter is a beautiful time to slow down and explore the creative side of the region. Visit a gallery, browse local shops, discover public art or wander through one of the region’s historic villages.
Coastal walks and scenic drives
Balance your winter event with fresh sea air. Follow Route 31 Coastal Drive, walk the Witton Bluff Base Trail, visit Port Willunga, explore Port Noarlunga or rug up for a quiet beach walk.
Explore Route 31 Coastal Drive
Stay the night
Turn your winter event into a weekend. Choose from vineyard retreats, beach houses, cosy cottages, caravan parks, boutique accommodation and places to stay close to cellar doors, cafés, beaches and trails.
Featured winter events
From major art exhibitions to fireside dining and month-long celebrations of food, wine and art, winter still brings plenty of reasons to visit McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast. Explore the events below, then build your visit around wine, food, gin, beer, nature, coast and culture.
5 JUNE–5 JULY 2026 | MCLAREN VALE
Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize 2026
Discover a month of creativity and culture in one of South Australia’s most loved wine regions, with contemporary art, exhibitions, workshops and creative experiences across McLaren Vale.
Make more of your visit: Add a long lunch, local shopping, wine tasting, gin tasting, gallery visit or winter weekend stay.
21 JUNE 2026 | MCLAREN VALE
Fireside Party at Oliver’s Taranga
Settle in for a four-course long lunch cooked over flames and paired with classic McLaren Vale red wines. This is winter warmth, generous food and beautiful local wine.
Make more of your visit: Add a cellar door stop, village wander or overnight stay to turn it into a full winter escape.
AUGUST 2026 | ACROSS THE FLEURIEU
Fleurieu Food Festival
Warm up winter with a month-long celebration of local food, wine and regional flavours, including vineyard feasts, farm-fresh experiences, long lunches, hands-on workshops and chef-led dining events.
Make more of your visit: Plan a winter food trail, book a long lunch, visit a winery, stop by a brewery or distillery, or stay the weekend.
Winter trip ideas
Not sure where to start? Use these simple winter ideas to build your visit around an event.
For friends and groups
Choose a music, food or brewery event, add a cellar door or long lunch, then stay overnight so no one has to rush home.
For couples
Pair an art exhibition or winter event with a slow lunch, wine tasting, scenic drive and a cosy place to stay.
For families
Look for family-friendly events, then add a bakery stop, playground, short walk, beach wander or relaxed casual dining.
For food and wine lovers
Start with a winter event, book a long lunch, visit a cellar door, stop by a distillery or brewery and finish with a night in the vines or by the coast.
Looking ahead to spring
Winter is just the beginning. As the seasons shift, McLaren Vale continues the celebrations with Grenache & Gourmet, returning from 18 September to 5 October 2026.
Expect Grenache, local food, long lunches, cellar door events and immersive wine experiences across the McLaren Vale wine region.
Plan your winter weekend escape or stay a little longer.
Close to Adelaide
McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast is around 40 minutes from Adelaide, making it an easy choice for a winter day trip, long lunch, live event, art experience or weekend away.
Start at the Visitor Centre
Drop into the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre for local advice, maps, visitor guides, regional produce, art and ideas for making more of your visit.
Winter events in McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast: FAQ's
What winter events are on in McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast?
McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast hosts a range of winter events, including food and wine festivals, live music, art exhibitions, brewery events, long lunches and seasonal experiences.
Is McLaren Vale good to visit in winter?
Yes. Winter is a great time to visit McLaren Vale, with cosy cellar doors, long lunches, winter reds, art events, food experiences, galleries, breweries and accommodation close to the vines and coast.
Can I visit McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast as a day trip from Adelaide?
Yes. McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast is around 40 minutes from Adelaide, making it ideal for a winter day trip, event outing, long lunch or coastal drive.
What can I do before or after a winter event?
Before or after a winter event, you can visit a cellar door, book a long lunch, stop by a brewery or distillery, explore a gallery, walk along the coast, follow Route 31 Coastal Drive or stay overnight.
Are there winter events for couples, friends and groups?
Yes. The region has music events, food and wine experiences, art exhibitions, brewery events, long lunches and accommodation options suited to couples, friends and groups.
Where should I stay for a winter weekend in McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast?
You can stay in vineyard retreats, beach houses, boutique accommodation, cosy cottages, caravan parks and self-contained stays across McLaren Vale, Willunga, Aldinga, Port Noarlunga, Christies Beach and nearby coastal villages.
