If you’re planning a wine weekend in South Australia, McLaren Vale is the perfect region to visit in Spring. The vineyards are alive with new growth, the days are warm with cool nights, and the region’s food and wine scene is bursting with fresh flavours.

At Battle of Bosworth Wines, we’re a family-owned, certified organic winery in the heart of the Willunga sub-region. Our heritage cellar door is small and intimate, specialising in welcoming you to our wine family.  We know how much guests love to get off the beaten path and discover the region’s hidden gems, so here’s our insider’s guide to the best things to do in McLaren Vale this Spring – with a focus on boutique, family-owned, and off-the-beaten-track experiences.

Discover Family-Owned Wineries in McLaren Vale

While McLaren Vale is renowned worldwide for its Shiraz, it’s also home to numerous small wineries producing exciting varieties in welcoming, personal cellar doors.

• Battle of Bosworth & Spring Seed Wines: Our cellar door is housed in a rustic 1850s stone barn. You’ll taste wines grown in our organic vineyards, from crisp Sauvignon Blanc to elegant Shiraz. With a tiny cellar door & beautiful gardens alongside the vineyards, its of the most relaxed and intimate tasting experiences in McLaren Vale.
• Willunga 100: Specialising in just one variety, Grenache, a structured tasting flight at Willunga 100 in Blewett Springs is a unique and educational experience.
• Hugo Wines: Five generations of family have farmed the Hugo estate.  Stop for a tasting at their cellar door with their passionate team.

Where to Eat in McLaren Vale During Spring

Spring brings lighter menus, seasonal produce, and long lunches in the sunshine. Some of our favourite family-run McLaren Vale restaurants include:

• The Salopian Inn: A regional institution with a kitchen garden that drives the menu. Expect seasonal dishes matched with an impressive local wine list.
• The Currant Shed: Spring is a stunning time to sit outdoors under the vines for this special dining experience.  Our advice?  Lash out on the degustation with wine pairing, then relax and let their chefs & sommeliers do all the work for you.
• Victory Hotel, Sellicks Hill is the perfect stop to wind up after a day in McLaren Vale. Watch the sun sink into the Gulf St Vincent while you dine in their delicious restaurant and choose from their extensive South Australian wine list.

Soak up the Great Outdoors in McLaren Vale

Spring is the perfect season to explore McLaren Vale’s landscapes – from vineyards and valleys to rugged coastline.

• Onkaparinga River National Park: A favourite weekend haunt of the Bosworth crew, this park offers spring wildflowers, walking trails, and clifftop views. A great way to work off all that wine and fine dining!
• Cycling the Shiraz Trail: The McLaren Vale Shiraz Trail stretches 8 km from Willunga to McLaren Vale to Willunga. It’s mostly flat terrain and vineyard views, so you can BYO bikes, scooters or roller skates & stop off at one of the many cellar doors dotted along the trail. Starting from Railway Terrace in Willunga, an easy selection of cellar doors within close range to visit with kids starts with Battle of Bosworth, Down the Rabbit Hole,  Shirvington Wines, Primo Estate, Hugh Hamilton Wines, Mitolo & Wirra Wirra.  If you don’t have wheels with you, you can always stroll or hire them from the McLaren Vale Visitor Centre.
• Fleurieu Coast Beaches: Wind up your day watching the sun set over the sea at Port Willunga.  Lay a rug on the beach and make a picnic of fish & chips with a bottle of McLaren Vale Fiano, or treat yourself to dinner at the famous Star of Greece.

Markets & Artisan Shopping for unique keepsakes and handmade goods:

• Willunga Farmers Market (Saturdays): Stock up on local cheeses, baked goods, and spring produce. Perfect for a picnic with a bottle of Battle of Bosworth Pinot Noir. Even better, it’s an easy stroll from the market to our cellar door along the Shiraz trail.
• Wander Willunga Village: Spend an hour or two wandering amongst the vintage finds and artisan makers along Willunga’s main street.  There are always treasures to be found.
• Willunga Artisans and Handmade Market: The second Saturday of every month, Fleurieu Peninsula artisans gather to showcase their contemporary handmade wares. A fantastic place to find truly one-of-a-kind handmade pieces.

Plan Your McLaren Vale Spring Getaway

There really is nothing like watching McLaren Vale blossom in Spring. When you’re here, make sure to visit Battle of Bosworth Wines for a tasting of our organically grown wines in one of McLaren Vale’s most historic and intimate cellar doors.

Book your tasting here: Visit Battle of Bosworth Wines