Fabulous weather for touring today in McLaren Vale, a wine area south east of Adelaide. Countryside green and gorgeous with rows and rows of vines and views of distant hills and the sea. Some of the oldest vines in the country are in this region and date back to the 1850s.

First stop was Beach Road for a wee tipple, pizza and great antipasto platter. Place was buzzing. Best ever haloumi.

Checked out the lovely stone buildings and winery at Chapel Hill which was very nearly a wedding venue.

The d’Arenberg Cube stands out on the horizon and is a fascinating winery to visit. Funky, quirky even a little bit weird, the cube was opened in December 2017. The design is inspired by the complexities and puzzles of wine making and houses an alternative realities museum, toilet pods designed to represent bunches of grapes,  a restaurant and tasting rooms.

The museum is totally unexpected with very unusual exhibits – flowers and fruit scent offerings, a black room, 360 degree experiences, a red art gallery and various other very eclectic items. You have to see it to experience it including the toilet pods, lift and stair wells.

We enjoyed wine tasting in the 4th floor of the cube looking out through windows on wacky angles, admiring the patchwork couches and artictic wine bars  and then coffee and a cheese platter out in the gardens. Over 70 wines in the range and 37 grape varieties.

Darenburg.com.au

Dinner tonight at Africola – african food with a difference..wow! Yum.

https://www.africola.com.au/

Also got to see a little but of the alternative Adelaide tonight with way too many zombies out and about for a walk.

Photos McLaren Vale

Author: Gill

Hi. I'm fun-loving, creative, mostly energetic and a mother of 3. My interests are family, culinary pursuits (I own just a few cookbooks...), socialising and entertaining, living and always learning.