McLaren Vale wine tour: Private day with tastings and lunch

Taste your way through McLaren Vale's best wineries and restaurants in one day

A private full-day wine tour of McLaren Vale led by an expert guide, including tastings at two boutique wineries, entry to the d'Arenberg Cube, and a farm-to-plate lunch with wine at The Salopian. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The itinerary can be tailored to suit your winery preferences.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private wine tour in McLaren Vale

• Taste biodynamic wines at Yangarra
• Visit The Gorge winery and taste wines
• Enjoy long lunch at The Salopian
• Explore d'Arenberg Cube winery

The experience

The day starts at Yangarra, a biodynamic estate in the outer reaches of McLaren Vale where you'll taste wines that have impressed judges across the globe. From there you move to The Gorge, a local favourite known for its Mediterranean-inspired reds and views that make the tasting itself feel unhurried. Your guide handles the driving and the wine knowledge. You handle the tasting.

Lunch is a long, relaxed affair at The Salopian, a South Australian icon where the menu shifts with the seasons and everything comes from the farm to your plate. Wine is included with the meal. After lunch comes the d'Arenberg Cube, Australia's latest wine landmark and one of the country's oldest family wineries: a stop many in the travel industry call a must-see. If the crowds or the itinerary don't suit you, your guide can swap it for another boutique winery instead, keeping the day built around what you actually want to taste.

The whole experience runs 6 to 8 hours door to door. You're picked up from your hotel in a luxury vehicle, and everything (tastings, tour fees, lunch, water) is covered. The only thing you arrange is what wines you'd like to take home, which you can purchase along the way.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in a luxury vehicle.
• professional wine guide.
• tastings at Yangarra and The Gorge.
• entry to d'Arenberg Cube (or alternative boutique winery of your choice).
• farm-to-plate lunch with wine at The Salopian.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:15

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 38 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Small Batch Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want a guide who can swap wineries on the day. Skip the crowds at d'Arenberg Cube for a quieter alternative, or adjust stops based on what you discover you love.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What's the difference between Yangarra and The Gorge, the two wineries I'll visit?

Yangarra is a biodynamic estate in the outer reaches of McLaren Vale known for wines that win international recognition, while The Gorge is a relaxed, scenic spot favoured by locals for its Mediterranean-inspired reds and unhurried atmosphere.

Can I choose different wineries if I don't want to visit d'Arenberg Cube?

Yes. The itinerary can be tailored to your preferences. If you'd rather skip the Cube and explore other boutique wineries instead, your guide can arrange that. Just let the operator know before your tour.

What's included in the lunch at The Salopian?

The Salopian lunch is a feed-me style meal with wine included, built around seasonal, farm-to-plate dishes. It's a long, relaxed sit-down, not a quick stop.

How long does the whole tour take from hotel pickup to drop-off?

The tour runs 6 to 8 hours total, including all tastings, the d'Arenberg Cube visit or alternative winery, and lunch at The Salopian.

Is wine available to buy at the wineries?

Yes, wine is available for purchase at the wineries you visit. Tastings and tour fees are included in the price, but any bottles you want to take home are an extra cost.