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HISTORY OF 1838
McLaren Vale is the birth place of the South Australian Wine making industry
John McLaren is thought to have given the region its name as he was the first to survey the area. His accounts of the regions lush pastures and early settler’s success stories are thought to be what drew viniculture to the area.
John Reynell is credited as being the first to establish a vineyard in South Australia just below Adelaide in the McLaren Vale region. Reynell was originally from a Devonshire farming family in England and moved to Australia in 1838. He brought with him South African vine cuttings which he sourced during his travels. He planted these cuttings in the same year making 1838 the year the South Australian Wine Industry commenced.
Why McLaren Vale?McLaren Vale has perfect conditions for growing A-class grapes. Warm summers with low rainfall produce grapes that are intensely flavored, deep purple or vibrant gold with a distinguished ripeness. McLaren Vale is famous for its Shiraz but Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from this region are equally as stunning. The 1838 grapes are sourced from select vineyards grown in the chocolate coloured loamy soils of the vale’s treasured ridges and the biscay clay soils of the valley flats. Sourcing wine from select vineyards increases complexity as grapes can be chosen for various flavors that complement each other.
John McLaren is thought to have given the region its name as he was the first to survey the area. His accounts of the regions lush pastures and early settler’s success stories are thought to be what drew viniculture to the area.
John Reynell is credited as being the first to establish a vineyard in South Australia just below Adelaide in the McLaren Vale region. Reynell was originally from a Devonshire farming family in England and moved to Australia in 1838. He bought with him South African vine cuttings which he sourced during his travels. He planted these cuttings in the same year making 1838 the year the South Australian Wine Industry commenced.
Why McLaren Vale?McLaren Vale has perfect conditions for growing A-class grapes. Warm summers with low rainfall produce grapes that are intensely flavored, deep purple or vibrant gold with a distinguished ripeness. McLaren Vale is famous for its Shiraz but Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from this region are equally as stunning. The 1838 grapes are sourced from select vineyards grown in the chocolate coloured loamy soils of the vale’s treasured ridges and the biscay clay soils of the valley flats. Sourcing wine from select vineyards increases complexity as grapes can be chosen for various flavors that complement each other.
