You know, you ask the big questions in life.
If you have a birthday and your partner rushes you off to McLaren Vale for three days of luxury, those questions fail to resonate. At these times it’s all about the moment, the food, the wine, the olives, the people, the bike ride, the sunshine, the barbecue, the view, the sleep-in, the cheese, the architecture, the music . . .
On December 26 David rushed me off to McLaren Vale. With bikes on the rack on the back of the new MCS JCW (Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works), we headed south for Willunga where we had a delightful lunch at Fino, a restaurant that has only been open for the past six months.
We sat down and the waitress asked, “Do you want to order off the menu of should we just feed you?”
We went for the simpler option, like baby birds (minus the regurgitation); “Feed us, feed us”.
Around seven dishes later (they were small) we were replete. And what did they serve? Goats fetta in hot oil with spices, liver (for David), asparagus with white anchovies (I didn't know they came in different colours), panfried marinated fresh sardines and chargrilled octopus.
We then headed for the accommodation, Chapel Hill B&B. A chalet-type building, it comprised three bedrooms, three bathrooms, an extra toilet, a full-sized kitchen with dining area and a full-sized dining and lounge area with large fireplace. And we had it to ourselves.
The bedroom we chose to inhabit had a beautiful view across the Chapel Hill vineyards, the Onkaparinga Gorge and the gulf. Just beautiful to wake up to.
One of the highlights of the three days was riding around the valley. As you may have noticed we stayed at Chapel ‘Hill’. There’s a hill in that name for a reason, as where we stayed was at the top of the ridge that defines the topography of the area. Heading off towards McLaren Vale was simple, point the bike down the hill and free-wheel. Easy.
However, a late breakfast, two wineries and half a day later we were faced with a different reality. Up. Gravity did its work but we did manage to regain altitude and get back to our ‘chalet’.
One night we used the monster barbecue outside. David cooked a hearty repast of prawns, chicken thighs and beef steak. Tres Bien!
Another highlight was visiting the new Primo Estate cellar door. Recently opened, and costing $2.5m, it was a fantastic place to try their wines. The pictures tell the story for this one.
We also went to two wineries around the Mount Jagged area south of Mount Compass and a cheese factory. All were well worth the visit.
Photos from the top:
The entrance to the Primo Estate cellar door
The wooden wall at Primo Estate
Chapel Hill B&B living room
The view from the bedroom window (but taken from outside)
Harvey and bikes
The wine tasting area at Primo Estate
Ditto (So stylish)
Ditto (Don’t you love the red transparent stools?)
Rendered walls, Primo Estate
Outside at Parri Estate, Mount Jagged
Grass tree, Parri Estate
Tin shed tasting area at Mount Jagged Winery
Mr Nick ‘Syn’ Knapstein at Leconfield at McLaren Vale
David and bikes
