McLaren Vale lies between the Mount Lofty Ranges and Gulf St Vincent, creating a warm but maritime-moderated climate. The region is celebrated for Shiraz but increasingly recognised for old-vine Grenache and GSM (Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvèdre) blends that express a distinctly Mediterranean character. d'Arenberg, Wirra Wirra, and Chapel Hill are established names, while a wave of younger winemakers champion low-intervention, single-vineyard wines. McLaren Vale was the first wine region in the world to map its soil types at a commercial vineyard scale, identifying 40+ distinct soil types across 75 square kilometres.
