Exploring the McLaren Vale wine region
and the Fleurieu Peninsula
It's easy to do so on your own - distances are short, most attractions are easy accessible and with Karawatha Cottages as your accommodation in McLaren Vale you can even walk to some. But sometimes it just needs to be the extraordinary, be it to surprise your special someone, to treat yourself to a little adventure or just to indulge your senses (and taste buds) without having to worry about driving.
With this in mind, we have curated a small number of experiences across a broad section of activities - from earth bound, to taking to the skies - to complement the self-guided Things To Do described in our Explore McLaren Vale section.
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Some of these experiences are exclusive to guests staying at Karawatha Cottages and you will be able to purchase them when booking your cottage or by contacting us by e-mail. For other activities we will link you off to the actual operator; remember to mention Karawatha Cottages when booking with them.
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As always, feel free to reach out and let us know if there is anything else you are looking for and can't find here. We are always happy to help and share our passion for McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu Peninsula !
Food & Wine Walk
We do love "our" Karawatha Cottages Flat Mates Walking Trail, are amazed how many of our guests embark on it and are always thrilled hearing how much they have enjoyed it!
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It's so easy - just start walking straight from your accommodation, to enjoy same amazing wines, scenery and a bite to eat on the way.
The only challenge is that some of the unique structured tasting & food experiences need to be booked, as does a table at the award winning Currant Shed. To make sure, that you don't miss out, we have now created an option for you to pre-book the experience with us.
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Your day starts with a 250 m stroll to the Beresford Tasting Pavilion for their paired Shiraz & Chocolate tasting experience (approx.1 hr); then it is time for a relaxed walk (2.5 km, approx. 30 min) on back-roads, alongside vineyards to the Shottesbrooke Wines cellar door.
Here it will be all educational with their From the Ground Up Tasting: during a guided tour of the winery you will learn about the impact of soil and micro-climate, taste some of the 'unfinished' products from the barrel - before heading back into the cellar door to sample the final wines (approx. 45 min).
Time for lunch now, with a 5 min walk to the Currant Shed, to indulge in one of the best lunch experiences in McLaren Vale.
After lunch, you have the choice of walking the short 1.2 km back to your cottage - or give us a call and we will pick you up.
Inclusions:
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Beresford Shiraz and Chocolate Tasting (approx. 1 hrs)
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Shottesbrooke Wines From the Ground Up Tasting (approx. 45 min)
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Currant Shed 3 course lunch (excl. wines) or 6 course with wine pairing
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Transfer back to Karawatha Cottages (unless you prefer to walk back)
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Costs: $ 195 per person (3 course lunch) | $ 295 (6 course lunch with wines)
Book with your cottage as 'extra' or use our e-mail request form
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The Fine Print:
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Offered Wed - Sun only; subject to availability
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Charges will only be processed, after we have been able to confirm all components of the package
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Needs to be booked minimum of 48 hrs in advance
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Min. age of 18 years (children rates available, excluding the wine tastings)
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Cancel policy: as per your room booking
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Bad weather: we will work with you to alter and refund accordingly
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Food & Wine (Heli) Flight
Like the idea and sound of the Food & Wine Walk - but don't quite fancy the thought of walking, or want to celebrate that special occasion? Then let's take the idea of a Wine Flight to an altogether different level.
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For our Food & Wine Flight package, we partnered with our friends at Helivista to show you the full beauty of the McLaren Vale wine region. Going beyond vineyards and the produce that our amazing neighbours have to offer, Helivista will take you to the skies fly across the Vale to our stunning Fleurieu Coast and back again.
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Your day starts with a 250 m stroll to the Beresford Tasting Pavilion for their paired Shiraz & Chocolate tasting experience (approx.1 hr).
The friendly Beresford team will now transfer you in their buggy to the helicopter landing spot; after a short safety briefing, it's time for lift off and Helivista will take across the McLaren Vale vineyards to the coast, showing off all the best the region has to offer. Returning to our corner of the Vale, Helivista will drop you off right at the Shottesbrooke Wines cellar door.
Here it will be all educational with their From the Ground Up Tasting: during a guided tour of the winery you will learn about the impact of soil and micro-climate, taste some of the 'unfinished' products from the barrel - before heading back into the cellar door to sample the final wines (approx. 45 min).
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Time for lunch now, with a short walk past gum trees and vineyards to the award winning Currant Shed. Enjoy their 3 course lunch or indulge in their 6 course Chef's selection with paired wines.
After lunch, you have the choice of walking the short 1.2 km back to your cottage - or give us a call and we will pick you up.
Inclusions:
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Beresford Shiraz and Chocolate Tasting (approx. 1 hrs)
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Helivista scenic flight over McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu Coast (30 min)
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Shottesbrooke Wines From the Ground Up Tasting (approx. 45 min)
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Currant Shed lunch incl. wine (3 or 6 course option)
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Transfer back to Karawatha Cottages (unless you prefer to walk back)
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Costs: $ 590 pp (3 course lunch)
$ 685 pp (6 course lunch with paired wines)
Book with your cottage as 'extra' or use our e-mail request form​
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The Fine Print:
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Offered Wed - Sun only, subject to availability
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Charges will only be processed, after we have been able to confirm all components of the package
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Minimum of 2 people, with at least one person 18 years or older
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Needs to be booked minimum of 48 hrs in advance
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Flight weight restrictions applicable (180 kg combined passenger limit)
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Cancel policy: as per your room booking
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Bad weather: we will work with you to change dates or refund if change is not possible
Unique Tasting Experiences
We love the change the wine industry has gone through, or to be more precise, the change from the stand-up tastings at the cellar door counters, to seated and more guided tastings.
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But, what if you could taste wines in the vineyards - or taste them straight from the barrel? Have the actual wine maker talk you through their wines - or, for those that inspire to be a wine maker - what if you could start blending your very own wine?
Well, all this and more is possible at select wineries here in McLaren Vale and we are happy to share some of our favourite experiences here
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Wine Tasting in the Vines
That one is actually quite special, as we do take bio-security very serious in McLaren Vale (as one of the few wine regions in the world that has no phylloxera). But at Aphelion Wines, you can do just that and enjoy vines, wines and views at their Blewitt Springs vineyard. Here more details for their 'Back of the Ute Tasting'.
Barrel Tasting
We all know the finished "product" from the bottle - but what does the wine taste like when taking it straight from the barrel, often before the winemaker adds the final touches, or blends the wines?
You can find that out (and much more) at Maxwell Wines and Shottesbrooke. Both will take you into the heart of their wineries, showcase what makes them different and talk you through the process of wine making - before you embark on tasting the 'unfinished' product from the barrel and the 'finished' wines from the bottle. At Shottesbrooke Wines, the experiences also includes a 3 course lunch at the Currant Shed and at Maxwell Wines you will be able to explore the 100 year old limestone cave (now used for growing their mushrooms).
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Wine Maker for the Day
Now that you have learned all about vines and wines - it may be time for you to trial your skills at actually blending your very own wine.
You can do just that at the famous d'Arenberg 'Blending Bench' experience or at Haselgrove Wines - either way, a great and fun opportunity to learn more about wine making, create your own personal blend ... and take that bottle home with you,
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Picnic in the Vale
We are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to food in McLaren Vale with so many fine dining destinations to choose from in our restaurant section or from the above wine and dine experiences.
But sometimes, it is the simple things in life that we are looking for and a picnic out in nature might be just it and we have got you covered for this as well:
Karawatha Cottages Picnic Basket
For a truly rustic option, head into the local shops or stock up on the Willunga Farmers Market to create your own basket
We not only have a picnic basket and blanket available for you, but are also happy to share with you our list of our favourite picnic spots.
From easy accessible ones by car, to those that will require a little walk to a beautiful look-out over the Vale
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Wineries with BYO Platters
A really convenient (and cost effective option) are the Build Your Own platters many of our wineries now offer.
Simple concept - you choose directly from their pantry whatever fancies you; from different cheeses, charcuterie and pates to olives, crackers and more. Then head out onto their lawn or picnic tables and enjoy a casual lunch.
Some of our favourite places for this are:
DogRidge, with their picnic tables under gum trees and alongside a creek line (you can also truly bring your own food)
Kay Brothers, offering some of the most amazing views with your choice of deck chairs or lawn.
Coriole Wines and their Arbour Bar (open weekends only)
Dowie Doole, for once a shipping container conversion that actually looks inviting and beautiful deck to enjoy your platter
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