What are the Best Things to do in McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu this Winter? Check out a few of our favourites in this guide, including some new places to eat, drink and stay.
To Perk Up – Neighbours
When Willunga Farmers Market favourites Daniel and Angelle — best known for their handmade sourdough crumpets — announced they were opening a permanent café in McLaren Vale, we were pretty excited. After spending years honing their craft in Paris’ specialty coffee scene, they brought their passion and expertise to Willunga, earning a cult following for their fluffy, golden crumpets each Saturday morning.
Now settled into their new digs on Main Road, they’re serving up great coffee, take-home crumpets and a dine-in brunch menu Monday – Saturday with a welcoming neighbourhood feel. A perfect winter morning start.
— 402 Main Road, McLaren Vale SA
— @neighbourscrumpets
To Shop – 68th Street Vintage
If you’re looking for unique furniture with mid-century character, a visit to family-run specialty store, 68th Street Vintage, is well worth a stop.
Specialising in sourcing and restoring retro pieces that deserve a second life, you’ll find everything from thoughtfully selected homewares, crockery and artwork to original mid-century dining suites. And, if you need some guidance, owner Jessica, who runs the store while husband Ron works his magic in the workshop, will happily point you in the right direction. Restoring secondhand pieces started as a side hustle in their garage and has since grown into a permanent shopfront supporting their family and four children.
We’re all about sustainable choices and supporting family businesses, so we just had to share this treasure trove in Christies Beach.
— 5/54 Beach Road, Christies Beach SA
— 68thstreetvintage.com
To Experience – SALA Festival
Each August, Adelaide’s venues come alive with colour and creativity as the South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival kicks off. Here at Oliver’s Taranga, we’re lucky to have local artist Bridget McArthur exhibiting her ‘Layered Impressions’ collection throughout the festival. Head into our Cellar Door between 1 and 31 August to view her works — you may even spot the perfect piece for that blank space in your dining room.
There are plenty of venues and talented independent artists taking part across the state, so jump onto the SALA website to explore the program and plan your visit.
To Eat – Kuti Shack
Not new to the scene, but a much loved Fleurieu favourite, Kuti Shack is a dining destination unlike any other. Nestled among the sand dunes of Goolwa Beach, this relaxed coastal restaurant pairs exceptional food with one of the region’s best beachfront settings.
A collaboration between Goolwa Pipi Co and Kuti Co, Kuti Shack showcases innovative pipi dishes alongside native ingredients and a seafood-led menu celebrating the best of the Fleurieu. The Ngarrindjeri people have harvested Kuti (also known as pipis or cockles) from these shores for more than 10,000 years, making this a dining experience deeply connected to place and culture.
With the ocean just metres from your table, the seafood doesn’t come much fresher, with every dish representing quality, seasonality and local provenance. The experience at Kuti Shack is laid-back yet refined. Mornings see locals gathering for coffee after a surf or beach walk, while lunchtime brings long, leisurely shared plates paired with a thoughtfully curated wine list featuring some of the region’s best producers. We’re delighted Oliver’s Taranga is among them, with our Fiano proving a delicious match for the menu’s bold seafood flavours.
To Stay – Sultana Maximalist
Situated amongst the vines in the heart of McLaren Vale, boutique accommodation Sultana Maximalist offers the perfect regional escape.
Oozing with charm and warmth, this fully renovated 1930s bungalow has character in spades. From the rustic décor and brick fireplace to the fully equipped kitchen, Sultana Maximalist is the ultimate retreat and an ideal base for your McLaren Vale winter weekend. Just a few minutes’ drive from the main street, and only 5km from Oliver’s Taranga Cellar Door, you’ll have everything at your fingertips.
With three bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, and plenty of outdoor space to enjoy, it’s ideally suited to a couples’ weekend away or a small family stay. Owner and host, Kate, has thought of all the little details to ensure a comfortable and memorable stay after a day exploring the region. From the vinyl record player and complimentary aperitivo bar cart to the vintage furniture and lux king-sized beds dressed in high-quality linens, everything is set for you to arrive and relax.
Unwind with a cheese platter and a bottle of your favourite wine discovered in Cellar Door under the cosy outdoor patio. Bliss.
To Taste – Oliver’s Taranga (us!)
While you’re enjoying the very best the Fleurieu has to offer, don’t forget to drop into our cellar door. Join us for a relaxed ‘Taste of Taranga’ wine tasting on the deck or get cosy in our heritage workers’ cottage. We’ll guide you through the latest vintages of McLaren Vale classics Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet we are known for, alongside up-and-coming flagship alternate varieties like Fiano, Vermentino, Falanghina, Mencía Rosé, Mencía, or Tempranillo. Each tasting comes with fresh warm bread and our very own olive oil. For something even more immersive, hop aboard our golf buggy ‘Ollie’ for a guided ‘Taranga Terroir Tour’. We’ll share our family story and sustainable practices while tasting wines among the vines where they were grown. With stunning views and warm hospitality, at trip to Oliver’s Taranga is the perfect way to start – or end – your unforgettable Fleurieu experience.
Heads up: Cellar Door will be closed 8,9 and 15,16 August as we host our incredible OTT Wine Club members. If you want an invite to these exclusive (complementary) events then join our wine club today!
If you do come to visit, don’t forget to BOOK YOUR SPOT!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Fireside Party @ Oliver’s Taranga
Fire up this June with Oliver’s Taranga for our Fireside Party, a four-course long lunch cooked over the flame, paired with Oliver’s Taranga’s classic red wines to warm you from the inside out. Dress warm and get ready for some winter fun! $160pp, inclusive of all food and wine.
WHEN 12pm, Sunday 21st June, 2026
WHERE 246 Seaview Road, McLaren Vale
COST $160pp (includes 4 course meal and wines)
BOOK oliverstaranga.com/bookings
OTT Tunes Playlist – Winter 2026
Our OT office and Cellar Door team in McLaren Vale have put together their pick of songs to lift the mood and put a smile on your face on a cold and wintery day. Best enjoyed with a glass of OT red in hand.