Look inside McLaren Vale’s new luxurious cellar door, Thicker Than Water

A tinted purple glass cube dubbed the “palette cleanse”, hydraulic tables and steel screens that create an underwater effect. Step inside the “fourth dimension” of wine.

Walk through the tinted purple glass cube to find hydraulic tables, Jam Factory lights and mood-enhancing perforated steel screens.

Then, sit down to taste the award-winning wines – they’ll come to you, via wine carts.

McLaren Vale’s newest cellar door, Thicker Than Water, rethinks how wine tasting can be done, according to senior winemaker Campbell Greer.

“Traditionally cellar doors have belly-to-bar service, however we wanted to create a more intimate experience … more like being at a family catch up than being in a public space, so the idea of wine carts that could navigate the room came to mind,” Mr Greer says.

Emilie Greer and Jess Van Berlo taste wine at the new Thicker Than Water cellar door in McLaren Vale. Picture: Ben Clark

The purple entrance of the new cellar door. Picture: Duane Odell

Dubbed the “palette cleanse”, the tinted glass cube entrance is inspired by the wine label’s purple branding, while the perforated steel screens play with natural lighting, creating an “underwater” effect at certain times of day. Mr Greer says it’s all about enhancing the “fourth dimension” of wine: texture.

“The beauty of a cellar door’s physical experience is we can add even more layers to that, from the music you hear and the hand soap you use to being able to select your own Riedel wine glass for the tasting,” he said.

Emily and Jess outside the new cellar door. Picture: Ben Clark

“The palette cleanse is a space that showcases Thicker Than Water’s purple brand as a tinted purple glass cube; a space that allows the customer to take a breath and be present before entering the tasting room.

“We just want to offer a unique experience, holding the smallest detail to the highest standard to make our customers feel special.”

Hydraulic tables enable bar height for day service, and dining height for future guest chef dinners.

A tasting flight of six wines costs $30, redeemable upon purchase, and includes their Giant Squid Ink Shiraz, thrice named world’s best red wine at AWC Vienna.