The holidays are finally here and for the first time in what feels like an eternity, the cellar doors are wide open and events are back in full force. Now is the time to gather with friends and family, make your bookings, and get ready to savour summertime.

We’ve gone ahead and compiled a list of must-stop events, cellar doors, accommodation and transport services that we hope will make your time in McLaren Vale and surrounds stress-free and fun for the whole family.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

First things first, we wanted to get you a list of events that will be over before you know it, so mark your calendars and buy your tickets now:

Wine Machine at Serafino
When: 17th December
Where: Serafino cellar door
Admission: $99-$139pp

Enjoy a whole program full of delicious wine, food, and live music. This event is hosted all across Australia and will be in our neck of the woods in perfect timing for the holiday season.

Summer Twilight Sessions at Bec Hardy
When: 28th December, 7th January, 14th January, 28th January - 4:30-8:30pm
Where: Bec Hardy cellar door
Admission: $10pp (includes drink on arrival)

Finally, our Summer Twilight Sessions are back! Come visit and enjoy a series of fun and relaxing evenings full of wine, entertainment and yummy food.

Tour Down Under 2023
When: 13th - 22nd January
Where: Across South Australia (McLaren Vale stage - Saturday 21st January)
Admission: Free

Finally, the opening to the UCI World Tour is here! What better way to celebrate than to gather with friends and family, listen to live music, and enjoy local food and libations while meeting the riders? Not to mention expert cyclist panel chats, new cycling gadgets to try, and ample seating. Trust us; you’ll want to stay a while.

d'Arenberg Salvador Dali Exhibition
When: 10:30-4:30, 7 days
Where: d'Arenberg Cube
Admission: $25pp

One of the founding members of Australia’s first families of wine, known for its infamous d'Arenberg Cube, will feature the world-traveling exhibit of original Salvador Dali sculptures. This spot is truly so much more than a winery, with exceptional dining options, classes, and even interactive wine-blending activities.

WHERE TO TASTE

The holidays are the perfect time to spread the love, so here’s a list of us and our friends and neighbours that we know you’ll love to visit, each with a cellar door featuring truly exceptional wines.

Bec Hardy cellar door
Hours: 10am- 4pm, 7 days
Looking to relax with friends and sip on some award-winning wines? Look no further than our Bec Hardy cellar door! We offer casual wine tastings inside our cellar door and barrel shed or outside with stunning views across the vineyards. You and your guests can personally select from a curated list of Bec Hardy and Pertaringa offerings, including a museum and Icons tasting.

Now, for an elevated yet casual dining experience, The Kitchen at Bec Hardy is proud to offer an exciting new summer sharing menu featuring sustainably-sourced ingredients with a local flare. From fresh oysters to venison ceviche, each of our sharing plates can be enjoyed alongside your favorite Bec Hardy wine.

Berg Herring Wines
Hours: 12-6pm, Friday-Monday
If you want a little taste of history, you must check out Berg Herring’s cellar door. Originally a sandstone chapel from the mid-1800s, it has since been converted into a cozy winetasting experience. If you looking for something even more boutique, make a special reservation for their Macaron and Wine Barrel Tasting Pod Experience!

Haselgrove Wines
Hours: 10:30am-5:30pm, 7 days
Experience a variety of tasting options, from modern to traditional. You can even play “winemaker for a minute” with a unique interactive experience. In addition to having exceptional wines, Haselgrove also offers local beer, cider, and gin, plus gourmet grazing boards and hand-stretched pizza.

Shirvington Wines
Hours: 11am-4pm, Thursday-Monday
Experience an eclectic wine tasting while overlooking the gorgeous vineyard. Aside from phenomenal wines, you can also build-your-own grazing boards and select from an assortment of local meats and cheeses.

Communal Cellar Doors of Bondar Wines, Lino Ramble, and Sherrah Wines
Hours: Various, check websites for times
This is a great spot when you just can’t make up your mind on which winery to visit. Bounce from label to label and experience a variety of outstanding wines, each with its unique aesthetic. From Lino Ramble’s biodynamic wines to Bondar’s structured wines to Sherrah’s small-batch and unique blends, there’s something for everyone here.

Goodieson Brewery
Hours: 11am-5pm, Tuesday-Sunday
Truly the definition of craft, this small yet innovative facility is one of South Australia’s leading breweries. Each of their offerings has a big flavour and a clean, crisp finish. Bring your friends, your kiddos, and even your four-legged family members. It’s bring-your-own-food and worth booking ahead if you’re coming with a large group.

Premium Picnics at our Tipsy Hill Estate
Spend a great day out in the gorgeous summer weather with family and friends, and let us do the hard work of building a unique private picnic experience. Hosted at our Tipsy Hill Estate, we build your picnic while you relax, sip on our wines, and enjoy a yummy grazing table.

WHERE TO STAY

We know how important it is to enjoy the holidays - in moderation. Luckily, there are countless spots to spend a long weekend, from modern villas to boutique B&Bs. Here are some of our favorites:

Beresford Estate
Cellar Door Hours: 10-5, 7 days
Not only does this winery offer excellent wine-tasting experiences, but you can also book a stay in one of the modern villas, each with an exquisite view of the estate. While you’re there, stop by the Vale Taphouse and treat yourself to a flight of craft beers and perfectly paired local produce, or take a tour of the facility!

The Arches McLaren Vale
This Airbnb is the perfect spot to reserve so you and your extended family can stretch out, get comfortable, and still be minutes away from plenty of good restaurants and wineries. This is a great spot for kids and large groups that will feel like a home away from home.

Peppermint Farm Cottage B&B
This is a great spot for small groups who want to feel secluded while also enjoying a wonderful view not too far away from the action. With original mud walls from the mid-1800s, there’s a bit of history to appreciate, the rooms are renovated and most definitely cozy.

Karawatha Cottages
Self-contained cottages nestled between vineyards and gardens, what on Earth sounds better than that? This is a perfect spot for small groups that is within walking distance of a handful of cellar doors and restaurants. It is also sustainably driven, making for a guilt-free way to enjoy the holidays.

The Landing at Aldinga Beach
Another perfect spot for larger groups, this one just so happens to overlook the beach. Truly, the view does not get better than in this spot, plus you get to be only a short drive away from a host of wineries. Did we mention there’s a private pool, too?

GETTING AROUND

Spending the holidays in South Australia is truly an ideal experience, so do yourself a favour and book some driving services in advance. That way, you can experience your fair share of wineries while staying safe.

Trail Hopper
Trail Hopper offers Adelaide’s only hop-on-hop-off winery tour bus service. This means that you can get on and off the bus as you choose and take your time with each spot. Just pick your date and desired route, then enjoy your day at your leisure.

Helivista
Sometimes you just really need a helicopter tour of the wine country. We get it! Thankfully there’s Helivista, which offers flights with optional stops for lunch or wine tasting at a host of excellent spots.

Gone Awol
Summer is in the air, so what better time than now to hop on an e-bike and tour McLaren Vale’s beautiful landscape? If biking isn’t your thing, then you can go for a little road trip and spend the whole day being driven from winery to winery. Gone Awol is a great option if you want to customize your tour experience.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Spending the holiday season in South Australia is truly a privilege that we at Bec Hardy Wines do not take lightly! We hope you enjoy our recommendations, as we are all so excited to get back into the swing of things and begin hosting and attending countless events to come!