MCLAREN VALE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

​EAT DRINK SEA MCLAREN VALE WITH SEAN BAXTER

Sean Baxter is one of the founders and Brand Director of Never Never Distilling Co. Producing Australia’s moot highly awarded gins from their brand home in one of Australia’s premiere wine regions, McLaren Vale. Just 45 minutes from Adelaide, McLaren Vale has been producing some of the country's best wines for over 100 years. Nestled between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the Gulf St Vincent beaches, the distinctly Mediterranean climate has paved the way for the region to produce its signature dry reds and a culinary scene inspired by the incredible local produce. A thriving cellar door scene made up of over 80 wineries means there is always something new to discover amongst the picturesque rolling hills of ‘The Vale.’

Never Never on Chalk Hill ​

Made up of Never Never Distilling Co. Chalk Hill Wines and Cucina Di Strada, Chalk Hill has quickly become one of the hottest destinations in South Australia. The architecturally designed corrugated structure is home to Never Never’s Distillery Door, delivering gin flights, distillery tours and cocktail experiences. Chalk Hill Wines offer fabulous wine tastings with chocolate and cheese pairings to boot.

Cucina Di Strada offer an incredible selection of Italian treats, including their already famous ‘Pinsa,’ a Roman pizza variation that’s light and fluffy and smothered in generous toppings. It has some of the best views of the Mt Lofty ranges hand down and it’s sprawling lawns.

EAT

Pizzateca Pizzateca is from the same operators as Cucina Di Strada and are one of the most popular venues in the Vale. Their authentic Napoli pizza style is widely celebrated as the best in South Australia and no wine tour is complete without first mopping up the remnants of a few local bottles of red with some pizza and red sauce.

It’s very popular on weekends, especially in the warmer months, so if you’re trying for a walk in, try later in the afternoon after 2pm.

DRINK

Down the Rabbit Hole McLaren Vale has a history of pushing the boundaries when it comes to its wine experiences and Down the Rabbit Hole Wines have one of our favourite contemporary cellar doors.

In fact the cellar door has a name - Lennon, the blue double-decker bus lovingly converted into an intimate tasting space. With sprawling lawns and some cracking wines it’s a great place to spend a balmy summer evening with friends.

SEA

Port Willunga beach and the fishermen’s caves ​ Grab some take away from the Star of Greece Kiosk and head down to Willunga Beach to check out the fishermen’s caves.

They were hewn into the soft limestone rock by fisherman, who used them to store their boats and gear. The fishermen are long since gone however the caves remain and offer the perfect place for a beachside picnic or impromptu shelter. The caves sit adjacent to the remains of the Port Willunga pier, another famous South Australian landmark.