Main & Cherry lodge plans for new $800,000 cellar door
A Chandlers Hill winery has lodged plans for a cellar door that they hope will encourage people to explore more than just McLaren Vale. SEE THE PICTURES.
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The owners of a Chandlers Hill vineyard have applied to build an $800,000 cellar door to help share the beauty of their “special place”.
Michael Sexton and Kirstie Kendrick, who bought the property in 2016, have lodged plans with the state’s planning panel to build the cellar door, tasting room and a 25-space carpark.
Mr Sexton, who grew up on his family’s Cherry Gardens vineyard, Main & Cherry, hoped the proposed development would encourage passers-by to stop not only at his property, but also at the Clarendon township, as they made their way to McLaren Vale.
“There’s no need to always take the busy expressway,” Mr Sexton said.
“We want to share the beauty of the gateway to the Fleurieu Peninsula.”
Under the proposal, the cellar door would have capacity for 65 people. It would be open Thursday to Monday, from 10am to 6pm.
The property is in the Hills Face Zone, which encourages developments that preserve or enhance the area’s natural character.
A report by Adelaide Planning and Development Solutions, for Mr Sexton and Ms Kendrick, said while the proposed cellar door was a noncomplying development, it was of a nature and scale that would not detrimentally impact the amenity of nearby properties.
“The proposal will not impact on the natural backdrop to the Adelaide Plains and will retain the natural character of the locality when viewed from surrounding properties,” it said.
Mr Sexton said before buying the vineyard, he would drive past the property and admire its view.
“Most days we see cars slow down and stop by our top gate,” he said.
“Families get out and watch our ducks, sheep and alpacas wandering through the vines.
“The sunsets are magical.
“It’s our special place that we want to share with others.”
He said architect Mario Dreosti and the team at Brown Falconer had done an “amazing job in designing a welcoming space for visitors to sample our wines in a casual atmosphere”.
“We believe the design of the building blends in with the beautiful countryside, while optimising the incredible view that we have of Happy Valley reservoir and Gulf St Vincent in the background,” he said.
In April, Mr Sexton was announced as a Top 50 winemaker finalist in Australia’s Young Gun of Wine.
The application is out for public consultation until Friday, September 18.