Wirra Wirra Shiraz Masterclass McLaren Vale: Taste Five Wines

Taste five Shiraz in the ironstone cellars where they age, then ring the 3/4 tonne Angelus Bell

A Shiraz masterclass at Wirra Wirra Vineyards in McLaren Vale pairs five wines—including a rare museum selection—with a Four Winds chocolate tasting plate inside the original cellar door, after a behind-the-scenes tour of the historic ironstone cellars where barrel ageing happens. The experience lasts about an hour and includes a guide in English; you'll also get to ring the vineyard's iconic Angelus Bell. Minimum age is 18.

Step-by-step itinerary

Winery tour and Shiraz tasting

• Tour historic cellars
• Learn about barrel ageing
• Taste five Shiraz wines
• Enjoy Four Winds chocolate platters
• Ring the Angelus Bell

The Experience

The Angelus Bell—a 3/4 tonne cast iron piece that's been ringing across McLaren Vale for decades—is the physical anchor of this masterclass, and you'll hear it peal out yourself by the end of the afternoon. But first comes the learning: you start behind the scenes in Wirra Wirra's old ironstone cellars, where a guide walks you through how barrel ageing shapes the wines you're about to taste. The cellar itself is the classroom, and the five Shiraz you taste there—including a rare museum wine from Trott's Cellar—are what you're learning to read.

Each wine gets matched with a tasting plate from Four Winds, a local chocolate artisan, so the pairing is built into the hour rather than tacked on. The guide is live and speaks English, and the group stays small enough that questions land naturally. By the time you ring the Angelus Bell, you've moved from tasting wine the way most visitors do to understanding what's actually in the glass—the oak, the age, the difference between what's young and what's been waiting.

What’s included

• Winery tour through the historic ironstone cellars.
• five Shiraz tastings including a rare museum wine.
• Four Winds chocolate tasting plate matched to each wine.
• live guide in English.
• the chance to ring the Angelus Bell.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcome

Operated by Wirra Wirra Vineyards

Is this one for you?The masterclass is built for people staying in McLaren Vale or nearby without a car, since you'll arrange your own transport to Wirra Wirra—once you're there, the guide and the cellar setting handle the rest, and you leave knowing how to taste Shiraz instead of just drinking it.

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Top questions

What exactly do I taste during the Shiraz masterclass?

You taste five Shiraz wines at Wirra Wirra, including a rare museum selection from Trott's Cellar, each one paired with chocolate from Four Winds. The guide walks you through what to look for in each glass while you're standing in the ironstone cellars where the wines have been ageing.

Can I visit Wirra Wirra if I don't have a car?

The masterclass happens at Wirra Wirra Vineyards in McLaren Vale, and you'll need to arrange your own transport to get there—hotel pickup and transportation are not included. Once you arrive, the entire experience unfolds inside the vineyard.

How long does the whole experience take?

The masterclass runs about an hour from start to finish, covering the cellar tour, the five wine tastings with chocolate, and the moment you ring the Angelus Bell.

Is there a minimum age, and what if I want to bring someone under 18?

The minimum age is 18, so anyone younger cannot participate in this experience.

What is the Angelus Bell, and why do I get to ring it?

The Angelus Bell is Wirra Wirra's historic 3/4 tonne cast iron bell that has been ringing across McLaren Vale for decades. Ringing it yourself is part of the masterclass tradition and sends the sound out across the vineyard—it's the finale of the experience.