South Australia’s Yangarra Estate Vineyard has made headlines by securing the second spot in Halliday Wine Companion’s Top 100 Wineries for 2023. This list, curated by chief editor Campbell Mattinson, highlights the best of Australia’s wine industry.
Located in the Blewitt Springs region of McLaren Vale, Yangarra has recently opened a new cellar door, giving visitors a closer look at where the magic happens.
Featuring floor to ceiling windows overlooking sweeping views of the estates vineyards, unique to the cellar door is its dedicated viewing platform overlooking Yangarra’s extensive collection of ceramic amphorae fermentation vessels as well as a connecting overpass that allows visitors to walk across to the working winery.
Yangarra Estate Chief Winemaker, Peter Fraser, said he hopes the cellar door will provide an elevated wine experience in the region.
“Not only is the cellar door a remarkable space to showcase our wines, the design is true to our ethos, the importance of attention to detail, purity of expression, to produce wine that reflects an authentic sense of place.
“It provides guests with the opportunity to take part in unique experiences beyond being immersed in the vineyard itself, by what the offering shares with visitors about the winemaking process and maturation of the wine.
The new development comes as Yangarra continues to gain recognition both in Australia and internationally. The project was a collaboration with local firms, including JBG Architects, Pascale Construction, and Georgie Shepherd Interior Design.
One of the standout features of the new space is a private tasting room dedicated to the wines of Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyards. This offers visitors a chance to learn more about the unique qualities of these wines.
The selection process was rigorous, with a specific set of criteria ensuring a level playing field for all contenders. Factors like recent submissions to the Companion, consistent quality, high-scoring wines, and overall consistency played pivotal roles in the final decision.
Devoted to southern Rhône varieties, Yangarra Estate wines are produced solely from the estate, where bush-vine Grenache is the keystone variety. The High Sands Grenache is the pinnacle wine in the portfolio, sourced from a 1.7-hectare block, planted in 1946, that sits at the highest elevation on the vineyard.
Yangarra Estate Cellar Door
Where: 809 McLaren Flat Road, Kangarilla
When: Open 7 days, 11am – 5pm