Samuel’s Gorge

Samuel’s Gorge is a great winery to try if you want to see a small cottage winery that focuses on red wines. When we went to visit, they had sold out of many, and there were 3 red wines left. The scenery here is really gorgeous, though. A beautiful atmosphere.

Very relaxed atmosphere overlooking the Onkaparinga Gorge with some spectacular views. The Grenache is one of the best of have tasted. Do not go here if u are in a big group but highly recommend if u have a small car load. Rustic building is what makes this place one on the must see list.

A small family owned winery in McLaren Vale. We popped in on a wine tasting tour and sampled three of their fine wines; Mourvèdre, Grenache and Shiraz. All were quite nice and their tasting room («cellar door» in Australian) was an old historic building once used for olive oil production.
Definitely worth a quick stop if you are nearby. And, like the other wineries we visited during the day, they do not charge a tasting fee. Also, appointments are not required; just pop in during the tasting hours (10 – 5).

The Grenache, Shiraz or Tempranillo are all amazing. So relaxed, no bar to stand behind and be served, but more conversational in one big group. Justin the winemaker is there to chat you through all the wines, and his dog Pasco is there to provide you with all the pats!
Loved the experience, wines were amazing! Check it out on your next visit to McLaren Vale.

Ordered the lamb, pork and beef dishes, each tasted heavenly with a mixed of fresh herbs and flavors. Sauces balanced out the original taste of the meat, certainly set a high benchmark for my taste in steak in the future.
They do a seasonal menu so definitely would be back to try their new dishes

If you go to McLaren Vale and don’t visit Samuel’s Gorge you’re a bloody idiot.
Seriously.
I’m not inclined to ever accuse anyone of idiocy but this may just be the exception. The experience you will have at Samuel’s Gorge is different to cellar doors you have visited in the past. Stroll on in, grab a glass from the old olive oil press and then look around for someone holding a bottle of wine. Introduce yourself, shake hands even, and then start drinking wine. By the end of the tasting you’ll have some new friends — of both the human and grape variety. It’s warm, welcoming and casual.
A must visit.

We were recommended Samuel’s Gorge by the McLaren Vale Information Centre. We were looking at boutique wineries and this was top of their list.
Located over-​looking the Onkaparinga Gorge, Samuel’s is perfectly picturesque. Named Samuel’s Gorge as it was once owned by Sir Samuel Way.
Specialising in red wines as this is what the wine maker prefers to drink, they currently have a shiraz that was picked young so it’s a bit lighter than you would normally expect. Perfect for drinking while sitting out under the veranda over looking the gorge.
I will be back to try the others.

Likewise Samuel’s Gorge was recommended to me by someone working in one of McLaren Vale’s other cellar doors. We were looking for somewhere different, that was a ‘must-​not-​miss’ of the region.
Samuel’s Gorge was their pick.
Stepping inside it looks more like an old barn than a cellar door. Instead of a polished bar to taste upon, everything is very rustic. Each time we’ve been instantly greeted, handed some glasses, and instructed to wander. They’ll find us.
It’s a great set up. You can pick a seat inside, grab a table outside, or even taste while looking over the great view of Onkaparinga Gorge. Don’t think the lack of formal tasting areas makes this impersonal, they don’t do a pick pour and then continue on. Each time you taste a new wine you’re still told all about it, and you can ask any questions.
Everything is very casual, so if you’re thinking of adding a picnic spot anywhere along your winery touring make this your spot. If you’ve got kids coming along they can run around in the garden outside, and a quoits set they can play with.
It’s the type of cellar door experience everyone can enjoy, with the perfect balance of informative and casual.

There are many wineries on offer to sup from in the bacchanalian region of McLaren Vale and when doing impromptu tours with visiting internationals am invariably asked by staff of whatever winery I’m at «where to next?» If I then respond «I don’t know» I am invariably asked, sometimes in hushed tonnes because they’re not supposed to suggest competitors «have you been to Samuel’s Gorge yet?»
This is because Samuel’s Gorge wine is wine for winemakers. This boutique winery is the baby of down-to-(fertile)-earth winemaker Justin McNamee and his gang of grape grapplers. They are so focused on cultivating the perfect wine that on my last visit I was informed that all staff do not wear colognes or even deodorant so as not to be distracted from achieving the perfect nose. This winery is not about money, it’s about wine, and you have to buy Samuel’s Gorge wine at the cellar door or online, and the release is extremely limited, so get in quick. Many covet their bottles of Samuel’s Gorge wines and I’ve had friends from overseas insist on returning there of all the wineries in the region.
Set atop a hill in beautiful wine country, the winery have releases annually, usually around ANZAC day. Winery tours, a band, tasting tents, and nibbles are provided on these special days. Release days are always extremely pleasant and equally as popular so bookings are essential. I’d also advise getting there early to stake out your patch of grass and really have an opportunity to taste the wines properly.
Tastings on any day are always nice here though. On a colder day warm yourself by the stove or the barrel room, or warm up with wine along with friendly, easy going and knowledgeable staff.
Nowadays when asked by a winery «where to next?» I answer «Samuel’s Gorge» to approving nods.