On your bike! Sipping and Peddling around the McLaren Vale Wine Region

Who seriously doesn’t love a wine tour. I’m an absolute sucker for one- not just because of the wine, but for the scenery, the company and for the platters filled with cheese.

One of my favourite regions to tour around is McLaren Vale– not only because its my stomping ground, but because there are at 40+ wineries to visit, plenty of eateries, as well as a brewery and a restaurant boasting over 200 gins (that’s my kinda restaurant).

Last week the girls and I were lent some vintage bicycles from the awesome team at McLaren Vintage Bike Hire and Dal Mare Coffee to go on our own self guided winery tour. I must admit I felt a little nervous at first (it’s been a while since this bottoms hit a bike seat- I was secretly wanting some training wheels) but once we got going we all had a blast. They provided us with a brand spanking new bike each, equipt with all the bells and whistles, a helmet and even a insta-worthy basket on the front (perfect for stashing bottles of wine and pastries mid ride).

We started our tour at Dal Mare Coffee Roastery– because every wine tour needs to start with coffee. Tyrone makes a mean brew and he had us well and truly caffeinated for a our ride around the Vale.

Here’s a sneak peak into the days itinerary.

Stop 1- Dal Mare Coffee Roasters

If you are looking for delicious locally roasted coffee then you need to check out Dal Mare Coffee Roasters on the Main Street of McLaren Vale.  Their open plan roastery has plenty of seats, roasts on side and sells their beans by the bag. It’s the perfect spot to stop in for your weekend morning brew, or a light brekky if you feel so inclined. Their bagels filled with avocado and smoked salmon will make your mouth water, and there’s even chia pots for those who are feeling healthy. Definitely worth visiting even if you’re not going on a wine tour.

Stop 2- Alpha Box and Dice

Eclectic, fun, random as hell with a damn good vibe. Alpha Box & Dice is one of my favourite cellar doors in the Vale- if you havn’t been im sure when you visit it will become yours too. They have a great line up of wines, with lots of different varieties on offer. Favourite wines include their Zaptung prosecco, Tarot shiraz and their Golden Mullet Fury. Grab a glass and take a seat outside under the trees and take in the view of the rolling vineyards.

Stop 3- Maxwell Wines

Home to a lime cave, epic degustations, brilliant service and first class wines. This cellar door and restaurant offers one hell of a view and a very long tasting list. We had eaten here before so passed on food, but opted for a ‘liquid lunch’ instead. We loved their whites and their big bold shiraz’s, as well as their locally made Mead- their sparkling Mead goes down a treat on a warm summers day.

Stop 4- Angove Winery

If you love a cellar door with one hell of a view then check out Angove. Their deck overlooking their vineyards is the best seat in the house, and is paired perfectly with a rose. If you love red wine and chocolates then check out their chocolate and wine paring using Fleurieu made Four Winds Chocolate- divine.

Stop 5- Alpha Box & Dice (again)

OK, so we love this cellar door and can’t get enough. By this stage we were rather peckish and didn’t want to ride far, so we were stoked when we saw platters on their menu. The $40.00 platter was big and delicious, and easily fed us three ladies. We were treated to everything from cured meats, hard and soft cheeses, fresh bread, pickles and loads of condiments. Of course we had to wash the cheese down with wine- we opted for a bottle of their Zaptung. It was a no brainer.

Stop 6- Goodiesons Brewery

The sun was well and truly beating down on us at this point, so a beer from Goodiesons was just what the doctor ordered. This brewery in Mclaren Vale is a firm favourite among tourists and locals, and has a beaut beer garden. There’s plenty of great beers to taste, from amber ales, stouts and my favourte- the raspberry wheat beer. Flights are $15 and contain 4 brews of your choice, making it the perfect way to dabble through their range.

Big love to the team at Dalmare Coffee and McLaren Vintage Bicycle Hire for lending us their gorgeous bikes. If you’d love to hire them for the day check them out on their website.