McLaren Vale, South Australia
The Cube
McLaren Vale is a wine region about 45 minutes south of Adelaide. It spreads from the rolling hills to the sea, the area is one of the oldest in Australia for growing vines and is a popular one for visitors. Recently it was a lovely sunny winter's day so I went off to have a look at the d'Arenberg winery and its interesting building The Cube.
The winery is family owned and run, it was originally established in 1912 and the current wine maker is the third to run the estate. He also has a lot of imagination and came up with the idea of The Cube for the cellar door and has seen it through from an idea to the actual reality. As much as I love a heritage building, I do also love interesting modern architecture so wanted to see it. So it seems to quite a few other people as there were a constant stream of people experiencing the building the weekday I was there.
It was just after lunch by the time I got there so looked at the options for getting something to eat. The restaurant in the Cube is a 'degustation' and more of a long leisurely experience than a quick bite. The old homestead has been converted into an a la carte restaurant called d'Arry's verandah.
The homestead has an inviting outdoor area with relaxed seating and a view over McLaren Vale to the hills beyond.
Polly's, with a lovely stained glass window
The most casual eating option was Polly's, where you could order a platter and just eat on couches or by the fire or out on the verandah. I ordered from a menu and the platter was made to order.
The outdoor area
Once fed and watered, I was up to exploring the cube, currently there's a sculpture installation in the grounds as well.
There's a cost of $10 to enter the Cube, the ground floor has the 'Alternate Realities Museum' which has a few different installations. The first one being the 'sniff' room, to heighten your senses.
The Cube also has a functions room for large events, the degustation restaurant and on the top floor the cellar sales and wine tasting.
The elevator door opening up to the cellar door. (On the top floor so not quite the cellar! But the name sticks from when wines were sold from the storage areas which were the cellars)
There are balconies at different points of the building and all offer a different perspective on the surrounding area.
My favourite view, the one out to the sea. It's possible to look through the trees and see the curving coastline that is the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The vines
The rolling hills and closer in, the sheep who keep the grass down! Who needs a lawn mower!?
The tasting area
I liked the use of colour in The Cube, the furniture was all brightly coloured to contrast with the black and white of the Cube building.
The heritage stables offer a wine immersion experience where you can blend your own wine.
A more historic part of the estate, the heritage stables on the right, a windmill which was used to pump water and the shed behind the annoyingly parked red car (!) has old farm vehicles on display.
The Stables
McLaren Vale is a lovely area close to Adelaide to visit, d'Arenberg is great destination for a visit to the area.
Their website
d'Arenberg
McLaren Vale is a wine region about 45 minutes south of Adelaide. It spreads from the rolling hills to the sea, the area is one of the oldest in Australia for growing vines and is a popular one for visitors. Recently it was a lovely sunny winter's day so I went off to have a look at the d'Arenberg winery and its interesting building The Cube.
The winery is family owned and run, it was originally established in 1912 and the current wine maker is the third to run the estate. He also has a lot of imagination and came up with the idea of The Cube for the cellar door and has seen it through from an idea to the actual reality. As much as I love a heritage building, I do also love interesting modern architecture so wanted to see it. So it seems to quite a few other people as there were a constant stream of people experiencing the building the weekday I was there.
It was just after lunch by the time I got there so looked at the options for getting something to eat. The restaurant in the Cube is a 'degustation' and more of a long leisurely experience than a quick bite. The old homestead has been converted into an a la carte restaurant called d'Arry's verandah.
The homestead has an inviting outdoor area with relaxed seating and a view over McLaren Vale to the hills beyond.
The most casual eating option was Polly's, where you could order a platter and just eat on couches or by the fire or out on the verandah. I ordered from a menu and the platter was made to order.
Once fed and watered, I was up to exploring the cube, currently there's a sculpture installation in the grounds as well.
There's a cost of $10 to enter the Cube, the ground floor has the 'Alternate Realities Museum' which has a few different installations. The first one being the 'sniff' room, to heighten your senses.
The Cube also has a functions room for large events, the degustation restaurant and on the top floor the cellar sales and wine tasting.
The elevator door opening up to the cellar door. (On the top floor so not quite the cellar! But the name sticks from when wines were sold from the storage areas which were the cellars)
There are balconies at different points of the building and all offer a different perspective on the surrounding area.
The rolling hills and closer in, the sheep who keep the grass down! Who needs a lawn mower!?
The tasting area
I liked the use of colour in The Cube, the furniture was all brightly coloured to contrast with the black and white of the Cube building.
The heritage stables offer a wine immersion experience where you can blend your own wine.
A more historic part of the estate, the heritage stables on the right, a windmill which was used to pump water and the shed behind the annoyingly parked red car (!) has old farm vehicles on display.
McLaren Vale is a lovely area close to Adelaide to visit, d'Arenberg is great destination for a visit to the area.
Their website
d'Arenberg
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