the pinnacle: McLaren Vale

A day of exploring hidden gem wineries destined to be collectors items – this experience is absolutely designed for true wine lovers and collectors.

Once upon a time, Hickinbotham Vineyard fruit was exclusively sold to icon wineries like Penfolds for their flagship wines. More recently, a well-known Napa Valley winemaker has teamed up with a McLaren Vale local to bring you Hickinbotham Wines. Absolutely not open to the public, you’ll have an exclusive access at this once-famous but now yet-to-be-rediscovered vineyard.

With the express intent to make the best wines possible from McLaren Vale’s hero varieties, the formidable husband and wife team at Bekkers will then host you at their boutique home vineyard to sample their region-defining wines.

Your lunch is a seasonally inspired chef’s table with matched wines awaits at one of the region’s best restaurants.

To round out the day we’ll take you into the personal space of a super boutique winemaker, to meet with them one-on-one. Talk vineyard practices, ethos, stylistic approach, method, love, life, music, and enjoy their wine with them til your heart’s content. With a range of off-the-radar boutique producers we can call upon, this is money can’t buy territory – but we can get you there.
 

 

your mclaren vale pinnacle experience

samlpe itinerary

1   off to mclaren vale

Your host will meet you at your city accommodation around 09:30am where your journey will begin, heading south through the Hills to McLaren Vale. All of our local guides are trained wine experts who will help you unlock the secrets of McLaren Vale and better understand all things wine in the region.

 

2   Hickinbotham Vineyard

Available only by special arrangement with Small Batch Wine Tours, your tour starts with exclusive guided access to what has traditionally been one of Australia’s most prized vineyards and was sold exclusively into Penfold’s premium collection. These days the Hickinbotham Vineyard is being meticulously managed to produce a range of outstanding single-site wines.

 

3   taste the hickinbotham wines

Retreat back to the Hickinbotham House where you will be guided through an exclusively chosen selection of Hickinbotham’s best wines. This experience is only available through special arrangement as guests of Small Batch Wine Tours.

 

4   Bekkers wines

Born of a formidable husband and wife duo – viticulturalist Toby and winemaker Emmanuelle – Bekkers is soon to be THE benchmark for the best wines coming out of McLaren Vale. Focussing exclusively on the two hero varities of the region – Syrah and Grenache – they meticulously craft fine examples of these key varieties. Enjoy a tasting hosted by one of the duo in their quaint family run tasting room.

 

5   lunch at the currant shed

Set in a quiet location amongst the vineyards, the team at The Currant Shed turn out some of the best fine dining in the region. Enjoy a relaxed three-course menu with matched wines before continuing on your wine journey. (Closed Wednesdays when we will go to The Star of Greece or Salopian)

5   vineyard experience at oliver’s taranga

With an array of winemakers to choose from we could end up anywhere, but your wine preferences will help guide us. This time we’ve ended up doing a vineyard experience with winemaker Corrinna from Oliver’s Taranga. Being one of the most consistent “Grange Growers” in the country, hear their story and explore their vineyards before stitting down to a private masterclass of their best handcrafted wines.

After your full day of tasting McLaren Vale’s best food and wines, we’ll have you safely back at your accommodation by around 5:30pm.