Sizeable O’Leary Walker has the confidence of a long-established winery, and – judging from the quality of the wines – one suspects that the mod stone-and-glass cellar door here is the result of decades of toil, finally rewarding the winemakers with boundless profits. But David O'Leary and Nick Walker only joined forces in 2000, and their cellar door is barely a decade old; they’ve come a long way in the blink of a vintage.
Clare Valley shiraz and riesling are Dave and Nick’s mainstays, grown in their Watervale and Leasingham vineyards – although they also venture into the Adelaide Hills to source cool-climate sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir (if you’re into sparkling, their luscious 'Hurtle' chardonnay/pinot noir fizz is for you). Cellar door tastings start a $10 (book for groups of eight or more). Afterwards, order a gourmet grazing or cheese platter and cast an eye across sweeping vineyard views, or head into the restaurant for a lazy lunch (Thursday to Sunday, and don’t bypass the pork belly).
