Holiday houses in McLaren Vale

Travel just 25 miles south from Adelaide and you’ll find yourself surrounded by some of the country’s oldest active grapevines. On the Fleurieu Peninsula, McLaren Vale is the birthplace of South Australian wine, producing standout Shiraz, Grenache, and Cabernet since the 1830s. (Later, Italian migrants brought distinctive European varietals, along with olive groves that now characterize the region.) Sandwiched by the dramatic Mount Lofty Ranges and miles of Gulf St Vincent coastline, this dreamy patch of countryside is home to more than 80 wineries, many with attached restaurants where you can linger to appreciate the region’s flavors.

McLaren Vale sizzles over the summer months (December through February), with daytime highs rarely below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The benefit of traveling at this time of year is avoiding the rains common to the winter months (June through August), when daily highs average 60 degrees. In between, spring (March through May) marks the end of the grape harvest, popular for its balmy days, from 65 to 80; similar temperatures can be expected in fall (September through November).

Willunga Farmers Market

Sample some of the region’s best producers at the Willunga Farmers Market, the first of its kind in the state. Held Saturday mornings, the raucous affair draws growers, vintners, and distillers from across the peninsula, which means you can pick up organic vegetables and fruit, freshly baked breads, free-range meats, and artisan condiments. Don’t leave without getting a taste of McLaren Vale’s famed olives.

Shiraz Trail

Linking the South Australian coastal suburb of Marino with the historic village of Willunga, the 23-mile Coast to Vines cycling trail captures some of the Fleurieu Peninsula’s most scenic spots. The five-mile section along an abandoned railway line from McLaren Vale to Willunga, known as the Shiraz Trail, is flat and easy to navigate, and passes some of the region’s most enticing wineries, from charming family-owned vineyards to dramatic chateaus.

Wildlife Spotting

The crystal-clear waters off the Fleurieu Peninsula are a magnet for marine life. Here you’ll see bottlenose dolphins and Australian sea lions, as well as fur seals and the smallest penguins in the world. During the cooler months (May through September), they’re also home to southern right whales, which retreat here for weeks on end. These mammals come remarkably close to shore, allowing you to spot them from coastal cliffs. But if you’re after a front-row seat, jump aboard one of the many boats that ply the gulf on the lookout for these gentle giants.