My McLaren Vale

21/06/2025

An awesome tasting in the sun at on a beautiful winter Saturday in McLaren Vale 😁🍷

16/06/2025

Earlier this month, I had the chance to attend the first-ever Australian Agave Association workshop — and it was genuinely inspiring.

Around 50 growers, distillers and researchers came together to share knowledge and explore what agave could mean for Australia — not just in spirits, but in sustainable agriculture, biofuel, and fibre.

We heard from Rachel at Waite, who’s researching agave’s potential, and from growers like Chris in QLD (600,000 plants!) and Oli here in McLaren Vale, who’s just planted 3,000.

Agave is hardy, drought-resistant, and uniquely suited to our climate. There’s a real sense that we’re at the start of something meaningful.

Big thanks to everyone involved — it was a privilege to be part of the conversation. 🌱

05/06/2025

Australia’s First Agave Association Workshop Was a Hit! 🇦🇺🌱🌵

This afternoon we were thrilled to take part in the first-ever Agave Association workshop in Australia—and what an incredible event it was!

Hosted at the Waite Campus in Adelaide, the workshop brought together over 50 distillers, farmers, researchers, and agave enthusiasts from across the country, including industry leaders like Chris from Act of Treason in Queensland, who’s already growing 600,000 agave plants over 150 hectares and distilling agave spirit commercially.

We tasted a range of spirits—two Mexican tequilas, a tequila syrup spirit, and Chris’s Aussie-grown agave—and dived deep into the science and potential of this remarkable plant.

Rachel from Waite University shared her agave research, highlighting its versatility—not just for spirits, but as a sustainable crop with huge potential in biomass, fibre use, and even sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. Agave's drought resistance (it “breathes” at night through stomata that open in the dark!) makes it ideal for Australia’s climate.

Oli, a McLaren Vale local, is leading the way too—removing some of his vines to plant 3,000 agave plants as he explores the spirit-making potential right here in our backyard.

We broke into groups to tour the distillation facilities and winery, and visited the agave trial patch—over 200 plants, 10 varieties, aged from 9 months to 2 years. An exciting glimpse into what agave could mean for South Australia.

This is just the beginning. Agave is a resilient, climate-smart, and commercially exciting crop with massive potential in Australia—not only for spirits but for a sustainable, circular future.

If you're curious, now’s the time to learn more and get involved. Check out the Agave Association and follow our page for more updates as we support agave’s rise in McLaren Vale and beyond!

https://www.australianagave.com.au/

27/05/2025

We love how close-knit our McLaren Vale community is—especially within the wine and hospitality world.

This Wednesday, May 28th at 6 PM, a fantastic event called Balancing Plates is happening at Ekhidna Kitchen, and it’s all about giving back to the people who are usually the ones giving their all—our local hospo crew.

Born out of the Fleurieu Future Leaders program, Balancing Plates is a relaxed night where hospitality professionals can take a well-earned break, enjoy some incredible food and drinks, and connect with others in the industry. And the best part? It’s just $5.

If you work in hospo—or know someone who does—spread the word. This is what community is all about: showing up, supporting each other, and sharing a few laughs along the way.

Big cheers to our amazing region and the people who make it so special. See you there?

Get Tickets on Humanitix - Balancing Plates 2025 Ekhidna Kitchen. Ekhidna Kitchen & Wines, 67 Branson Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171, Australia. Wednesday 28th May 2025. Find event information.

16/04/2025

Agave in McLaren Vale? Yep — it’s happening.

We all know McLaren Vale is world-renowned for its wine, but did you know it’s also proving to be an ideal climate for growing agave? With a few local projects already underway, it won’t be long before you’re sipping McLaren Vale tequila-style spirits — and we’re here for it.

If you’re someone who loves getting in early on something exciting, this free event is for you:

South Australian Agave Spirit Development Workshop
When:June 5th, 1 pm - 5:30 pm
Where: Waite Campus, Urrbrae
Cost: FREE
https://events.humanitix.com/south-australian-agave-spirit-development-workshop

This workshop is your chance to be part of a collaborative discussion on the key building blocks needed to establish a viable and scalable agave spirit industry and value chain in Australia. You’ll also get:

A guided walk through the agave varieties planted at the Waite Campus

A tour of the Waite Research Winery, including a look at pilot agave spirit production runs

Agave spirit tastings (yes please)

A group discussion to explore opportunities for collaboration and shape the future of Australian agave

We’re especially excited because at My McLaren Vale, we love showcasing the innovative, evolving side of our region. As the producer of , we’re already dreaming of queso + local margarita pairings — and trust us, the combo is unbeatable.

McLaren Vale is about more than just grapes — it’s a region of creativity, collaboration, and bold new ventures. Come see what the future tastes like.

Get tickets on Humanitix - Agave Spirit Development Workshop. Plant Genomics Centre, Plant Genomics Centre, Hartley Grove, Urrbrae SA 5064, Australia. Thursday 5th June 2025. Find event information.

17/03/2025

Exciting news but this time it’s not about wine!

I’ve worked in the wine industry since 2005, and while I love everything about it, I also have another passion—cheese. But not just any cheese—Leo’s Chile con Queso, a family recipe passed down from my grandfather.

My parents sold this in the US years ago, and now I’m bringing it to Adelaide, keeping the tradition alive. And starting tomorrow, Leo’s Chile con Queso will officially be available at Foodland Frewville!

Wine and cheese are all about balance in life… even if it’s a Mexican cheese dip. 😜

I’ll be organising an in-store tasting soon, so keep an eye out! Thanks for all the support, and let’s keep the Year of Leo’s rolling!

I couldn't be more excited to announce that tomorrow, I’m delivering my first dozen Leo’s Chile con Queso to Foodland Frewville!

When I started this journey, I always hoped that one day Leo’s would be in some of the best grocery stores in Adelaide—but I never imagined people would jump on board so quickly! The love and support have been incredible, and I’m so grateful to see Leo’s finding a home on shelves so soon.

Foodland Frewville is one of the best grocery stores in the world, winning Best Grocery Store in the World in 2016 and 2017, and I couldn't think of another store Leo's would fit better.

I’ll also be organising an in-store tasting, so keep an eye out for the date!

Thanks for all the support, and let the Year of Leo’s roll on! 🎉

11/03/2025

A Life Poured Into Wine

I’ve always been drawn to good food, great wine, and the kind of friendships that grow around a shared table. But I never expected those passions to shape my life the way they have.

I started out on a different path, earning a psychology degree with plans for more study, a stable career, and a clear direction. But before settling down, I wanted a little adventure. My brother had a contact at a winery in New Zealand, and with the promise of travel, vineyards, and a year of new experiences, I packed my bags. The idea was simple—work a few harvests, see the world, and then get serious about life.

Turns out, I found exactly what I was looking for—but in a completely different way.

Winemaking wasn’t just a job; it was a craft, a connection to the land, a way to capture time in a bottle. I fell for the process, the people, the lifestyle. And somewhere along the way, I also fell for a winemaker named Brie. We had our daughter in New Zealand, then moved to Australia to grow our family, eventually settling in Adelaide—where Brie had studied winemaking, where we’d celebrated milestones, and where opportunity and community felt right.

Now, every harvest reminds me why I love this work. It’s physical, creative, and deeply rooted in time and place. Each vintage is a story—of the season, the choices made, and the people behind it. I feel incredibly lucky to do what I do and never take it for granted.

McLaren Vale is full of stories like mine—people drawn to wine, to the land, to the magic of turning grapes into something special. If you’ve ever wanted to experience it for yourself, come visit. You just might fall in love with it too.

03/03/2025

Looking for a relaxing place to have a cocktail, wine or fortified? Check out .spirits and in McLaren Flat any weekend.

They have a great variety of products that will make everyone in the group happy, a large lawn with plenty of space to chill and shade from large, gorgeous trees around the property.

Right down from the road from and along the bike path from McLaren Flat to McLaren Vale it's a great place to people watch and enjoy life.

20/02/2025

We've been waiting for years for this! Samuels Gorge is finally getting a bit of Gamay to play with again! We did it back in 16/17 and we loved it so much we brought back our summer range called Pinata People with this grape in mind. This was the first bit of fruit and not a huge amount but after 6 years of waiting it's something to celebrate 🥳😁

03/02/2025

🚨 New Cellar Door Alert 🚨

A Sunday well spent at Willunga 100 wines! 🍷✨ Brie and I had a fantastic visit, guided by the wonderful Charlie, who shared the history of this beautifully restored 1800s house and the vineyards they source their fruit from.

We explored their range of whites and reds then their Grenache Flight, a special collaboration with Yangarra and SC Pannell, showcasing the diversity of Blewitt Springs Grenache. A must for any Grenache lover!

If you haven’t been yet, add this to your list—history, amazing wines, and a stunning setting all in one spot.

Willunga 100 SC Pannell

25/01/2025

Staff selfies from Tour Down Under Saturday 😁

10/01/2025

Another hidden gem from McLaren Vale – the 2022 Grant Nash Grenache Shiraz Carignan! This beautifully smooth, medium-bodied red is bursting with fruit, spice, and character. Crafted with care, it’s proof that some of McLaren Vale’s best treasures are waiting to be discovered.

While Grant Nash doesn’t have a cellar door, this stunning blend is well worth seeking out. If you're keen to explore more boutique labels like this, let’s talk! I’d love to help you uncover McLaren Vale's hidden gems on a tailored tour. 🌿