McLaren Vale is an important wine-producing region in the Fleurieu Peninsula, south of Australian. It is renowned for its award-winning Shiraz, as well as other grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. McLaren Vale has a long and proud history of winemaking, with the first vines planted in the region in 1838. The region’s first commercial winery, Bleasdale, was established in 1850, and the region has been producing quality wines ever since. In the early 1900s, McLaren Vale was one of the most important wine regions in Australia, and it continues to be a major player in the Australian wine industry today.
McLaren Vale is best known for its Shiraz, which is the region’s signature variety. Other popular varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. The region is also known for its fortified wines, such as Muscat and Tawny.
The best wines come from very old vines, some planted more than 100 years ago, and are prized for their low yields and concentrated fruit. The region produces award-winning Shiraz wines, as well as other varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. It also produces regional and international specialties such as Merlot, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Viognier.
McLaren is home to some of the oldest grapevines in the world. Some of the vines in McLaren Vale date back over 100 years, and are still producing fruit today. One such vineyard, called "The Old Block," is home to Shiraz vines that were planted in 1858, making them some of the oldest commercial grapevines in the world.