Published on 21 October 2019

New visitor guide

Discover unique and new experiences to be had in your own backyard.

The sixth edition of the highly successful McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Guide has been released and is available from the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Visitor Information Centre, participating businesses, and online at mclarenvaleguide.com

Over 65,000 copies will be distributed across Australia and internationally over the next 12 months, showcasing the world-class tourism experiences across the City of Onkaparinga. But you don’t have to be a visitor to benefit from the guide, as there are plenty of ideas on how to be a tourist in your own backyard and pages packed with vouchers offering great value-for-money deals.

Here’s a few new experiences that are a great addition to the City of Onkaparinga:

Flower Cellar Door

You’ll hear wine descriptions such as ‘floral’ and ‘perfumed’ at cellar doors across the region, but at one of McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast’s newest cellar doors, you’ll be immersed in the real deal — sprays of beautiful blooms.

Flower Cellar Door is a unique venture by Kyra Kahan and White Valley’s horticulturist Colin Carpenter, who — together with their family — have transformed a commercial greenhouse into a scented and sustainable café.

As a perennial student Kyra worked in hospitality while studying; one of her degrees was environmental studies. These skills combined well with Colin’s flower expertise to bring something different to the region. Within a year of opening, loyal patronage has blossomed, for this is a place that inspires you to take time to smell the roses, while relishing artisan coffee, wholesome dishes, and French-inspired desserts.

Enjoy patisserie treats and warm hospitality on the deck made from recycled milk-bottles, or pick up fresh flowers and locally made bespoke items from the repurposed-shipping-container. A must-do is to relax inside the tranquil greenhouse, with its eclectic garden settings and rugs, hanging chairs and plants, and games for all ages.

The Flour Store

It’s been many things in its lifetime — storage for flour, a church, tea rooms, a surf shop, and even a dance hall — but the 1845 icon that sits at the apex of three Port Noarlunga streets is now a thriving cafe.

The Flour Store is owned and operated by Daniel Platten, who’s adding another persona to the booming seaside precinct. Drawing on his winemaking expertise, Dan uses his trained palate to hand pick exceptional coffee, loose leaf teas, single vineyard wines and crafted brews, as well as design a menu that boasts local and seasonal produce.

Plus, the Flour Store is eco-friendly. Eighty per cent of the café’s waste is commercially composted, fittings are made from reclaimed bricks and timber, and anything that is single-use is made from corn starch. There are no plastics in this place.

The café opened in October 2018 and Dan hasn’t caught his breath since — not only by trying to keep abreast of the vibrant trade, but also by espousing what he loves about the region and its history.

Ask Dan about the tunnel under the floorboards. Or better still, read the story while enjoying nourishing dishes and soaking in the vibe of this inspiring new business.

Samson Tall

In 1852 Samson Tall donated a portion of his Burrington farmland to the Methodist Church. Two years later Bethany chapel was built, serving as a church or hall until 1964, yet there are no landmarks to acknowledge Samson’s generosity.

But that changed when winemaker Paul Wilson and partner Heather Budich purchased the historic property. After a sensitive restoration and adding a bespoke winery, the couple — together with their children and labrador — opened the arched doors to Samson Tall last December.

The namesake paying homage to the early settler, and the spirit of generosity continues. Manicured lawns beg a picnic rug and inspire you to play cricket or Finska (available for guests), or bring a hamper to enjoy under the oak tree while savouring fine McLaren Vale wine and vineyard views.

What’s in the bottle also captures regionality, with fruit picked locally, hand crafted on site and available for tasting in the transformed chapel. The experience is not to be rushed, with retained history throughout and local art exhibited on the whitewashed walls.

The winery produces five wines — two rosé, a tempranillo, a grenache and a shiraz — with each bottle celebrating history, provenance and people. A nod to Samson Tall.

MORE:

Flower Cellar Door’s local and loyal patrons Steph Hughey and Kim Lamont