SA wineries: South Australia’s best family-friendly cellar doors
Thinking about organising a winery cellar door play date? Here is our guide to the most kid-friendly spots across Barossa, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and more.
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Spring has finally sprung, and there’s no better time to explore South Australia’s fantastic selection of cellar doors – with the kids in tow.
There are a bunch of winery venues that cater for families, perfect for when parents want a playdate, too.
From playgrounds to colouring-in books and toddler-friendly fare, here are our favourite kid-friendly cellar doors right now.
Have a favourite? We’d love to hear it! Share your suggestions in the comments.
ADELAIDE HILLS
Sidewood
6 River Rd, Hahndorf, sidewood.com.au
Cellar door meets playground at this destinational cellar door in the heart of Hahndorf. Adults can order a self-guided wine paddle while the under-18s enjoy their own paddle made with local organic fruit juices. Stay in the cellar door area with some colouring sheets or head through to the nature play area equipped with swing sets, a slack line, chalkboard mural walls, climbing ropes and a fully fenced lawn area.
Food: Pizzas and a kids’ menu. More formal dining inside the restaurant.
Kids will love: Swings and climbing ropes.
Grünthal Brew
827 Mt Barker Rd, Verdun, grunthal.com.au
It’s the ultimate hospitality destination in the country yet an easy 30-minutes’ drive from the city. Drop into Grünthal microbrewery for a drink – there’s craft beer and cider, gin and local wines – enjoy an Udder Delights’ cheese tile or opt for a long lunch while the kids roam on the landscaped lawn.
Food: Crowd pleasing fare, from arancini to deep dish pizzas. There’s a kids’ menu and mocktails, too.
Kids will love: The iconic udder Delights yellow cow and ‘Grünthal Sundae’, complete with 100s and 1000s, Persian fairy floss and chocolate sauce.
Lot 100
68 Chambers Rd, Hay Valley, lot100.com.au
As the home of five South Australian beverage makers – Hills Cider., Mismatch Brewing, Vinteloper wines, Adelaide Hills Distillery and Ashton Valley Fresh – there truly is something for everyone at this collective. Set on an 84ha property just north of Nairne, there is ample space to roam and the undercover courtyard dining is perfect for all seasons.
Food: Opt for courtyard dining for wood oven pizzas and sides. More formal dining is available inside the restaurant.
Kids will love: Nature play and games such as petanque.
BAROSSA
Lou’s Place
1876 Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat, lousplacebarossavalley.com.au
As a father of two, offering family-friendly cellar door dining was important to South Australian food and television identity, Callum Hann. He and Themis Chryssidis are behind Lou’s Place, a welcoming restaurant at Lou Miranda Estate Winery.
“Growing up in the Barossa I’ve got lots of fond memories of visiting cellar doors for lunch or a platter, and we love having families and kids join us at Lou’s,” Callum says. “Our Mediterranean food offering seems to be loved by kids, and we’ve got a beautiful lawn area with plenty of games to keep them busy while the parents are relaxing with a glass of wine!”
After operating a reduced menu through winter, Lou’s Place launches its full spring menu on September 16, while live music Sundays starts on October 2.
Food: Mediterranean – from pasta to 12-hr lamb shoulder. There’s also a kids’ menu.
Kids will love: Zeppole (Italian doughnuts) with Nutella.
Alkina
41 Victor Road, Greenock, alkinawine.com
This gorgeous new Barossa venue is inviting the whole family to enjoy new Pizza Sundays through spring. Even the fussiest of toddlers will devour the wood-fired pizzas, and there’ll be plenty of non-alcoholic beverages available. For the bigger (18+) kids, there’ll be Aperol Spritzs and of course, wine. It’s on September 11, October 16 and November 13 – bookings are essential, call 8562 8246 or visit the website.
Food: Pizzas and sides.
Kids will love: Space to roam.
Seppeltsfield
730 Seppeltsfield Rd, Seppeltsfield, seppeltsfield.com.au
Folks can refuel with a coffee (or a wine) at Octeine cafe while the kids burn their energy across the luscious picnic grounds. The best bit? BYO food is welcome (just not alcohol) – so pack that picnic basket with all you need. The property also hosts Segway Vineyard Tours for older kids.
Food: Paninis, toasties and snacks, or BYO picnic. More formal dining at Fino at Seppeltsfield.
Kids will love: Free red cordial at the cellar door.
Paisley Wines
158 Hurns Rd, Angaston, paisleywines.com.au
Looking for a special experience? Angaston’s Paisley Wines hosts 90-minute family farm and vineyard visits, called Paisley Footprints. Kids as young as three can stomp through the vineyards, feed the animals and experience life on the hobby farm. They’ll feed the chooks, collect eggs and then go on a scavenger hunt through the Town Shiraz block. There’s fun for the adults, too – they’ll enjoy a wine tasting from the property’s private lookout, while the kids enjoy a fruit box. A more formal wine tasting is done back at the cellar door, while the kids are provided colouring-in materials and other activities.
Food: Platters
Kids will love: everything!
Information in the SA Cellar Door Selector should be used as a guide only - please refer to cellar door websites for latest updates.
MCLAREN VALE
Wirra Wirra
255 Strout Rd, McLaren Vale, wirrawirra.com
There's a rustic charm inside Harry’s Deli at Wirra Wirra, which puts families at ease. Even better is the outdoor dining space that allows adults to relax and eat while the kids stretch their legs. Activities include colouring-in and lawn games such as giant Jenga and Connect 4 (weather permitting).
Food: Breakfast and lunch fare including paninis and larger contemporary Australian fare.
Kids will love: An activity pack while they wait for their meals.
The Vine Shed
270 Sand Rd, McLaren Vale, vineshedvenue.com.au
This relatively new cellar door ticks the boxes for family fun, from giant lawn games to a cubby house. There's plenty of space to explore and it’s dog friendly, so furry family members can join in, too. Wines available for tasting and purchase include both the Vine Shed and Conte Estate labels.
Food: Pizzas and platters
Kids will love: playing ‘house’ in the cubby house
Fox Creek Wines
90 Malpas Rd, McLaren Vale, foxcreekwines.com
Come for a tasting and regional platter of produce, stay for the fun. There are a range of wine flights available, including a McLaren Vale shiraz flight, and even a gin flight. Well kept gardens are safe for kids to play – there’s a soccer goal, jenga and potato sacks for racing.
Food: Platters
Kids will love: The treasure hunt – kids get a book of things to find, with a prize up for grabs!
Down the Rabbit Hole
233 Binney Rd, McLaren Vale, downtherabbitholewines.com.au
The picturesque (and Instgrammable) cellar doors all about the boho vibes and rustic views.
Highlights include the caravan – climb in and take your pic – chickens, and a play area including a sandpit and cubby house. Families are welcome to pull up a picnic table or rug and enjoy a platter on the lawn, ideal for wriggly ones.
Food: Grazing platters. More formal dining in the restaurant.
Kids will love: Chatting with the chickens.
Gemtree
167 Elliot Rd, McLaren Flat, gemtreewines.com
Pull up a seat (and a highchair) at one of the tables on the deck overlooking the picturesque vineyards, or relax at one of the tables out on the grass. This is a contemporary cellar door that has families at heart, and staff are all too happy to make you feel at home. Need help with that pram? They’ve got your back. There’s also a lovely, clean change table area.
Food: Regional platters.
Kids will love: The playground
CLARE
O’Leary Walker
7093 Horrocks Highway, Leasingham, olearywalkerwines.com
Enjoy premium wines, food and views, while the kids burn their energy on the grass. Simply opt for outdoor dining so you can relax while watching the kids play on the expansive lawns, complete with lawn games (in warmer weather), a games box and sporting equipment. There’s a kid’s menu, too.
Food: A contemporary, seasonal menu. Kids’ meals include chicken nuggets and pasta with “hidden vegetable” sauce.
Kids will love: The choice of activities and large lawns.
Pikes Beer Co.
233 Polish Hill Rd, Sevenhill, pikesbeercompany.com.au
A chilled-out vibe, beers on tap and an approachable menu – what more could you want? Pikes Beer Garden offers all this – an alfresco area with plenty of tables, adjacent to the brewery, Pikes Wines Tasting Room and Slate Restaurant. Games include cricket and wooden loop hoop. Dogs are welcome, too!
Food: Approachable pub-style fare – think cheeseburgers, fish and chips and chicken wings.
Kids will love: Spotting fishies in the fish pond
Hill River Clare Estate
406 Quarry Rd, Clare Valley, hillriverclareestate.com.au
Families are more than welcome here, where adults can enjoy a tasting on the deck or under shade umbrellas on the lawn. Create your own picnic platter and lay out on the grass while the kids play in the sandpit. There’s also a BBQ available for hire - bookings are essential.
Food: Picnic platters
Kids will love: Feeding the ducks in the fully-fenced pond.
Sevenhill
11C College Rd, Sevenhill, 8843 5900, sevenhill.com.au
Explore the expansive lawns and throw down a rug – you’ll also find an array of sporting equipment for some family fun. The cellar door is where you can taste and experience the wines of Sevenhill, with history dating back to 1851. Then explore the walking trail on the property. It’s easily accessible from the Riesling Trail – and bikes are welcome.
Food: South Australian cheeses and local produce can be purchased and enjoyed alfresco style on the lawns.
Kids will love: The walking trail, seeing the church and crypt and playing on the lawns.
RIVERLAND
Mallee Estate
20055 Renmark Ave, Renmark South, malleeestate.com.au
The family-owned and run winery, established by Greek migrants Peter and Eleni Markeas, welcomes all. There’s grass to roam and games to play, from giant Connect Four to Finska. There’s picky-style food (think dips and chips) that should appeal to fussier tots.
Food: Draws on the Markeas’ Greek heritage, from the crowd-pleasing ‘Zeus Platter’ – including calamari, assorted souvlaki and pita with tzatziki – to moussaka.
Kids will love: The ‘Kids Orchard Crush’ tasting of different juices paired with fruit, marshmallows and a Greek biscuit.
COONAWARRA
Bellwether Wines
14183 Riddoch Hwy, Coonawarra, 0417 080 945, bellwetherwines.com.au
As Coonawarra (and Australian) cellar doors go, this is a doozy. Hairy highland cows and a donkey called Gerado (they love apples and photos) greet visitors to the renovated 1868 Glen Roy shearing shed-turned-cellar door. Winemaker Sue Bell welcomes all ages with open arms. Her creations are memorable, as are the onsite food and entertainment events, quirky art, nooks and crannies full of books, and pens and pencils for colouring in. Outside there’s plenty of space to roam, including a treehouse, a sand pit, produce garden, chickens, donkeys, and a fire pit for roasting marshmallows.
Food: Degustation meals served at a wool sorting table.
Kids will love: Mabel the maremma (sheepdog) who roams the camping site.
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