From Mountain Top to McLaren Vale

Rimmed by the hills of the Mt Lofty Ranges, McLaren Vale slides over geometric patterned vineyards into the Gulf of St Vincent. This truly is the land of sea and vines, but also abundance of produce, world class restaurants, hills, rivers and of course, the wine.

My travel treasure is McLaren Vale, the gateway to the Fleurieu Peninsula, just 45 minutes south of Adelaide.

An allure so similar to the Mediterranean has brought generations of free settlers. From Australia's best Grenache wine, young winemakers now experiment with alternate varietals, like Sagrantino, Fiano, Vermantino.

Young Farmers Scholarships have resulted in a boom of new farms producing heirloom fruits and vegetables, including indigenous ones, that make their way onto the plates in the region's restaurants, all of which seem vibrant, renewing and fresh.

Here the pace of life is slower, people stop to chat, to have a laugh. Neighbours come out to meet in the morning. Whole towns come alive on market day Saturday. People are more open and sharing too, with seasoned winemakers giving freely of their time & expertise to the new generation.

Clean fresh air is matched by distinct seasons, and the calm ocean waters of the Gulf of St Vincent.

Visits became dreams.

Dreams became plans.

Plans became reality.

I now call McLaren Vale home, and explore the beautiful hidden treasures of this diverse and compact region.