It’s perhaps ironic that one of McLaren Vale’s most widely recognised wines – Wirra Wirra’s eternally popular allrounder Church Block – is a blend, not a purist varietal. But really, when a blend is this palatable (merlot/shiraz/cab sav), there’s not much room for singular snobbery. Church Block is a stone-cold winner by any measure – but if you are after something more specific, Wirra Wirra does a classic McLaren Vale shiraz too (plus grenache, sauvignon blanc, riesling, chardonnay…all with a sustainable, biodynamic bias).
You could spend the whole day here, cavorting on the lawns; exploring the historic, vaulted-brick facilities (parts of which are 125 years old – tours from $40); and quaffing coffee and eating panini at Harry’s Deli. But most folks are here to lean on the woody tasting bar and enjoy some of McLaren Vale’s richest, most fulsome wines and decadent stickies (tastings from $10 – book ahead). Check out ‘Woodhenge’ on your way out – a quirky fence made from massive chunks of McLaren Vale redgum.
