Even if Chester Osborn hadn’t invented the undeniably amazing d’Arenberg Cube, the winery itself would still be somewhere near the top of the list of McLaren Vale’s best. But he did – and now d’Arenberg has evolved from being merely an excellent winery to become an essential McLaren Vale ‘experience’, its towering Cube the posterchild for all and sundry regional promotions.
What is the d’Arenberg Cube? Well, as Osborn, d’Arenberg’s chief winemaker, would no doubt agree, it’s eccentric. A giant black-and-white, five-level maze, taking its architectural prompts from the famous Rubik’s Cube, the d’Arenberg Cube (entry $15 including tastings; book ahead) brings together a quirky museum, a cellar door, restaurant, art gallery and video room, with myriad opportunities to catch some views. In the tasting room on the top level, sip your way into d’Arenberg’s dizzying array of reds and whites (the Dead Arm shiraz and Broken Fishplate sauvignon blanc are perennial faves) – then launch into some harissa chicken wings or a cube-shaped Reuben sandwich at casual Eat@Polly's on level three.
Looking to amp up the style? Book a table at the enduring (and endearing) d’Arry’s Veranda Restaurant in the adjacent 19th-century homestead – still one of SA’s best regional restaurants.
