Mad Bastard

Looking for a boutique winery in the Clare Valley that gives away chuppa chups, has a gorgeous setting and will make you laugh so hard that you may actually pee yourself a little bit?

Well wander on over to Mad Bastard cellar door because you will get that and a whole lot more.

Located in the township of Clare (just on the outskirts) you will find this small and cosy cellar door. Drive up a very long driveway, stop and look at the 30 or so kangaroos that are staring at you as you do and continue on until you park at the rear of a shed. Have a giggle on two at the signs, wander down the path past the garden and nestle into this cellar door owned by Mark Barry (also known as the mad bastard).

This cellar door is not like your standard type. no large tasting bar. no fancy paint on the walls or 50 or so wine tastings list. but they don’t need all that. My partner and I were greeted with a massive smile, given glasses marked “mad bitch” and “mad bastard” and got stuck into tasting some delicious reds and whites. The interior is simple, with pops of colour on the walls from eccentric artwork and paintings of their much loved dogs. Instead of a open area they have clusters of tables and even a long, almost church like pew. Throw cushions, bowls of lollies and chalkboards add a relaxed and homely feel to this pleasant gem of a cellar door.

We tasted reds and whites and had a chatted to the lovely lady at the cellar door about all things wines, Mark Barry’s famous reputation in the wine industry and their cute little dogs. I only had whites but my favourite was their fruity riesling which was light and full of citrus flavours. Although this winery is fun and unconventional it is serious about about what gets put into the bottle. They are known to sell out very quickly of their popular wines as they only produce small batches- especially their reds. After buying a few bottles and several wine glasses as gifts for friends we wandered into a vineyard, took some snaps and were on the road back home.