The best time of year is here…. the sun is shining, the nights are lighter and warmer, it’s Summertime! What a great time to get out and about with friends and family, explore new places to eat and drink and generally just celebrating the festive season in the sunshine.

The Summer months in the McLaren Vale region are bursting with things to do…. There are food festivals a plenty, live music galore, twilight evenings and many more entertaining seasonal events. So, no better time to get exploring the local land.

This Summer head down to the Bec Hardy cellar door for their Summer Twilight Sessions for a fun, casual, and relaxing evening with wine, live music, and yummy food available for purchase, they’d love to see you, your family and friends. There will be plenty of lawn games to keep the kids (and adults) entertained. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online. The first one starts on Thursday 28th December, then every Saturday from 6th January 2024 through to Saturday 10th February 2024.

Wine, Food and Music as the Sun goes down at Shingleback? Join them on Friday 29^th December for their annual Shingleback Sundowners Events. There’s live local music setting the perfect vibe, delightful nibbles and grazing plates that pair beautifully with their wines. Whether you are winding down from a busy week or simply looking for a reason to savour life’s little joys, Shingleback Sundowners is the place to be where wine and music take centre stage. Free entry. Kids and pets are welcome.

Encore presents the SandBar. From Friday 1st Dec 2023 - Sunday 25th Feb 2024. Just outside McLaren Vale located at the corner of the Esplanade and Beach Road, Christies Beach, The SandBar will bring back an array of local craft beers, wines and spirits plus live music this Summer. They will showcase local producers and food trucks to help tame the hunger whilst embracing the beautiful Christies Beach foreshore location. Locals and visitors alike will enjoy the atmosphere in a picture-perfect coastal setting.

As we embrace the summer months enjoy a walk through the Onkaparinga River National Park; a spectacular hidden treasure of the region, especially in the Summertime. There's lots to choose from, some shorter walks and some big hikes too.

Dowie Doole is hosting a chocolate and wine pairing experience that is on from now untill the 1st January, with wines paired with four locally made chocolates for an indulging tasting experince. 

Bec Hardy Wine are having a special wine tasting event if you’re lucky enough to be part of their Wine Club. This particular one is focusing on Sparkling, so you get to compare a range of different Sparkling wines, sip sip hooray…. This will be held on 11^th February. Visit Bec Hardy Wines for more info.

Come join in for some wonderful Vigna Bottin Wines, some fabulous Chef Angelo Italian Food, and relax and ‘wine down’ from the week it has been. On Friday 15^th December be 'entertainment by the Soprano's accordion artist's'. Salute!

The Willunga Quarry Markets are on every 2^nd Saturday of the month from 8.30am. Willunga township is the home of Fleurieu Peninsula’s premier country market – where you can stock up on local produce, brighten up your garden, buy a gift, search for a treasure or simply browse to your heart’s content.

Be part of the Santos Tour Down under on 20^th January. The start line is in Christies Beach at 11am for the start of this 129km leg and finishes at Willunga Hill at around 2.30pm. Be part of the action, there are many wineries you can sit and have a wine while taking in part of the race and cheering them on. Maybe also grab a bite to eat and relax further as the riders battle it out on this hilly stage. What a great event to see and be part of….

The ‘Molly Good Weekend’ is on in February. Mollydooker Wines are delighted to announce the return of their annual three-day McLaren Vale wine experience - Molly Good Weekend. Join them for a jam-packed weekend of exclusive Mollydooker fun. Tickets include:

• The mollydooker winery tour, tasting and light lunch.
• Gin, whiskey and spirit tasting at McLaren Vale Distillery.
• Tour and tasting at Shifty Lizard Brewing.
• Tickets to Barrel Hall four-course wine dinner with Lost Phoenix Farm.
• Tickets to Movie at Molly’s featuring Mamma Mia and VIP drinks package.
• Return transport from your accommodation.
  
  

Fancy a bit of exercise after the indulgences of the festive season then you can enjoy a bike ride along the stunning bike path nestled within the vines of McLaren Vale. SA eBikes hire electric bikes giving guests a chance to experience beautiful scenery and fresh air as well as discovering some of the cellar doors and fantastic eateries in the region. eBike hires can be organised from the McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre.

Staying close to home you can visit the Bec Hardy cellar door and enjoy a relaxed and comfortable wine tasting experience inside the cellar door, or outside on the deck, even with a picnic blanket on the lawn…. All while taking in the stunning views across the vineyards. Families and dogs are welcome, there’s even lawn games to keep the kids busy while you sip away in a beautiful space surrounded by gum trees, vines and serenity.

Then why not stay and explore the food menu to complement the wines at The Kitchen at Bec Hardy. Ingredients are sourced locally, with a focus on fresh, sustainable and seasonal.

As well as the beautiful cellar door Bec Hardy has their Tipsy Hill Estate, which offers one of the most stunning locations in the McLaren Vale wine region, with a spectacular 360-degree view of the vineyards and gardens. A perfect venue for small functions like our premium picnics, private dining options, garden tours and even small weddings, the Tipsy Hill Estate is a sight worth seeing especially in the Summer months.

So, whether its wine tasting, twilight nights, food events or farmers markets there’s something for everyone.

Thinking ahead to the next few months…. Keep your eyes open for the next Candyland event at Bec Hardy…. Candyland: Forbidden Forrest – 2^nd March, further info to follow, the last event sold out, so this is one not to be missed!

Join us for some Summertime delight at Bec Hardy Wines. Book here for The Kitchen at Bec Hardy or here to visit the beautiful Cellar Door at Bec Hardy Wines.