McLaren Flat: Discover Wine and Trails

McLaren Flat offers two very different interests to plan a stay around: sections of the Flat to Vale Trail and experiences at local wineries. Options range from paved shared-path sections to guided tastings and experiences with their own itineraries. When searching for a holiday rental, it helps to first decide whether trail time, wine tastings or a particular experience will be the main focus.

Sections of the Flat to Vale Trail

The Flat to Vale Trail includes a 2.5 km paved shared-path section off-road between the McLaren Vale Sports Complex and the Chalk Hill Road/Foggo Road intersection. Another paved shared-path section is 1.1 km long and runs along Chalk Hill Road; it ends at Blewitt Springs Road in McLaren Flat. The route and surface information may be updated; check them before your trip.

A substantial section of the trail runs between commercial vineyards to the north and significant native trees and Pedler Creek to the south. The two sections described differ in both length and location: the 2.5 km section runs off-road, while the 1.1 km section follows Chalk Hill Road. This lets you factor the trail into your plans by length and route without treating the two sections as alike.

Distinctive wine experiences

The Gemtree Wine and Wander Experience includes several elements. Guests learn about biodynamic grape growing and winemaking in the Biodynamic Hut. The experience also includes a guided tasting of Gemtree wines, a vineyard drive in Gemtree’s vineyard ATV “Polly”, and a private three-course lunch with a bottle of wine on the elevated terrace. Check current availability and experience details before your visit.

Woodstock’s Winemaker’s Tour pairs a different kind of winery drive with a tasting: it includes a chauffeur-driven tour of the winery in a 1920s Chevrolet truck. The tasting includes up to six wines, among them wines from the limited Single-Vineyard Flagship Series, as well as “Collett Lane” Cabernet Sauvignon and “The Stocks” Shiraz. Tour details may change; check them in advance.

At Woodstock Wildlife Sanctuary, a supervised animal feeding session is offered to visitors daily at 11:30 am. As the visitor program may change, check the current arrangements before your visit. This is a different way to spend your time from a wine tasting or winery drive.

Grounded Cru is a family-run winery set among the historic vineyards of McLaren Flat. It offers guided wine tastings, seasonal platters and vineyard views. The Beresford Tasting Pavilion also offers guests guided tastings. Visitor offerings may change; check the latest details in advance.

During an activity at DogRidge, participants can design their own bottle label while tasting six wines and take the labelled bottle home as a keepsake. This creative element sets the activity apart from the guided tastings at Grounded Cru and the Beresford Tasting Pavilion. Confirm current availability with the provider before your visit.

Choose the focus of your stay

When weighing up the winery experiences, specific features may help you decide: Gemtree includes an ATV ride and a private lunch, while Woodstock’s Winemaker’s Tour features a chauffeur-driven ride in a Chevrolet truck. Other options include seasonal platters, guided tastings or designing your own bottle label. For a stay that includes time on the trail, the two sections described differ in length and route. Use these options to guide your search for a holiday rental in McLaren Flat based on the experiences you’d like to include in your trip.

Discover more destinations

Stepney, Magill, Arkaroola Village, Lenswood, Norton Summit, Kongorong, Meadows, Krondorf.

For the broader travel guide: South Australia.