Shadow Creek McLaren Vale

14/10/2026

We’re becoming pretty good grass farmers. The grapes are still the main event, but what happens underneath the vines is just as important.

Native rye growing under the rows. Sheep doing their bit between the vines. More ground cover, more biodiversity and less bare earth.

No glyphosate. No dead or dying strips under the vine rows. We’d rather have living plants and active soil biology than bare, exposed ground.

It’s all part of how we’re managing the vineyard. Keeping the soil cooler, improving its structure, encouraging soil biology and helping the landscape hold onto more moisture.

And while we’re looking after what’s under the ground, there’s plenty happening above it too.

New Grenache vines are getting established, alongside our young Nero d’Avola. Both are part of the next chapter for Shadow Creek.

Regenerative agriculture isn’t one big change. It’s a whole lot of smaller decisions, made over a dozen years, that hopefully leave the land in better shape than we found it.

08/10/2026

Our 2024 Ticket Window Shiraz has arrived.

Two vineyards, two different contributions to the final w**e.

A handful of dry grown Shiraz rows at Foggo Road produce tiny berries with beautifully concentrated fruit. We blend these with Shiraz from our Old R***e Range vineyard which brings length and balance.

We use seasoned oak rather than new barrels, allowing the fruit to do the talking.

The result is a lovely McLaren Vale Shiraz. Ripe cherry, plum jam, a little caramel and dark chocolate. Full and warming, with fine tannins and a vibrant, velvety finish.

It’s a w**e we’re rather pleased with.

And the name? Our W**e Window began life as a ticket window at Willunga Hall. Once selling tickets to performances, it now has a new role at Shadow Creek. Ring the bell and discover what’s pouring. A little piece of local history enjoying its next chapter.

Now pouring at the cellar door and available online. 🍷

**etasting

08/10/2026

A few weeks ago it was bee swarms. Now we have ducklings wandering through the vineyard. All is well in this little corner of the world. 🦆

30/09/2026

Long weekend is almost here.

Grass underfoot, w**e on the table, and we could use some help counting the new ducklings.

The new Vermentino is open. So is the new Ticket Window Shiraz.

Open Thursday–Sunday, 11–5. Closed Monday.

21/09/2026

Beautiful morning in McLaren Vale. Asher taking in the birdlife while we do the quiet morning jobs.

Checking the irrigation lines in the little vineyard beside the cellar door, fixing drippers that are running too fast or too slow, finding the odd leak and moving the alpacas and sheep onto a fresh paddock. Peaceful tasks surrounded by all the birds.

We’re lucky in McLaren Vale to have access to recycled water for irrigation. The region has had a reclaimed water network since 1999, taking treated water that would otherwise need to be disposed of and putting it to work in vineyards, while reducing pressure on groundwater.

And beneath the vines, things are deliberately a little untidy. We don’t spray out the grasses growing under the vines. As the weather warms, that groundcover helps shade and protect the soil rather than leaving bare earth baking in the sun.

Between the rows, the mix of grasses and other plants create a living sward. It gives insects, lizards and all sorts of small vineyard residents somewhere to live and feed, building a more diverse little ecosystem around the vines.

It’s not manicured vineyard perfection. It’s alive and a little bit of wild.

17/09/2026

16/09/2026

Your seat at the table is waiting. 🔎🍷

Two Grenaches. A handful of clues. A few delicious distractions.

Taste them side by side, follow the evidence and see if you can pick the Shadow Creek Old Vine Grenache from its Spanish counterpart.

No w**e expertise required. Just curiosity and a willingness to play detective.

The Grenache Detective is on at Shadow Creek for Grenache & Gourmet. Just 45mins south of Adelaide.

Book your seat at the table. Case notes supplied. Suspects already poured.
**etasting

26/08/2026

One little bell.
One old ticket window.
And a very good reason to ring it.

Inspired by Florence’s centuries old w**e windows, with a little McLaren Vale spin of our own.

The W**e Window at Shadow Creek.

Thursday–Sunday, 11–5.

**e

11/06/2026

A rare winter feast is coming to Shadow Creek.
This August, we’re setting long tables on the gravel terrace beside the cellar door, overlooking Turraparri creek line and old gums.
Chef Jamie Steele and team will work the fire, cooking lamb from just over the fence slowly over coals, with seasonal Fleurieu produce, shared plates and an evening of Shadow Creek w**e included.

As the light fades, the fire takes over. Coals glowing, smoke curling, old vine w**es in glass and the scent of lamb cooking over open flame.
Rug up in your warm layers and settle in for an afternoon that moves slowly into evening.
Fire-lit. Full of flavour. Held under the stars with views to the vines, gums and creek line.

Saturday 22 August
3.00pm to 7.30pm

Bookings essential.

https://usefull.com.au/event/the-fire-table

30/05/2026

W**e tasting weather.

We’re open today for w**e tastings inside the cellar door - warm, relaxed and out of the weather.

Settle in with a tasting of the Shadow Creek range, from our Mediterranean whites through to old-vine Grenache, Shiraz and Cabernet.

Share plates, pizza and bottles are available if you feel like staying a little longer.

A slow Sunday in McLaren Vale, done properly. **etasting