FLEURIEU FEVER

Sun and vines, sea and wine – the Fleurieu Peninsula has all the ingredients for summer fun...

RED POLES

It’s all about regional flavours at Red Poles, the quaint restaurant and art gallery in McLaren Vale. Surrounded by vines and lush lawns, this eatery serves stacked plates of seasonal produce (check out the lemon myrtle whitebait, juniper kangaroo and barramundi) and big breakfast feeds. Pop past on a Sunday to see live, local musos working some acoustic magic in the courtyard or visit for a slow Saturday and glasses of SA wine. 

190 McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale | @redpoles

BIG EASY RADIO

This bright blue shack near the beach is made for memories. Big Easy Radio is the adults-only boutique winery pouring easy-drinking drops that taste like summer. Roll through on a Friday night for live music, food trucks and glasses of Grenache or visit the cellar door on weekends. The spacious manicured garden, decorated with locally-made sculptures, is perfect for long conversations in the sun and bottles of Big Easy Radio’s award-winning wine. 

11 Stonehouse Lane, Aldinga Beach | @bigeasyradio

PAXTON

Built within the bones of an 1800s shearing shed, this earth-friendly winery has been pouring award-winning wine to locals and lovers of the Fleurieu since 1979. Weekends at Paxton are a real treat: think live acoustic music, freshly-made pizza and glasses of biodynamic wine from the quirky pop-up Paxton bar, fashioned from a shipping container. Sprawl out on the lawn and soak up some serious vitamin D. And don’t forget Fido – it’s a dog-friendly venue. 

68 Wheaton Road, McLaren Vale | @paxton.wines

ALMOND DOOR

Part of Papershell Farm, the Almond Door is a cosy nook that overlooks the property’s ten-acre almond blossom orchard. Settle in for an almond tasting (yes, really!) paired with a glass of farm-made biodynamic wine or explore the store’s locally- crafted artisan goods (think hand-carved almond spoons and pottery). Open on Friday evenings, 6pm to 11pm, the Almond Door is the perfect night cap on any Fleurieu adventure. There’ll likely be some smooth disco tunes spinning on the record player, too. 

203 Almond Grove Road, Willunga South | @thealmonddoor