Mclaren Vale Wine Education Course and Retreat
We have dates set in October for what will be two memorable wine courses at Fox Creek Wines in McLaren Vale.
Not just a wine education course, this will be a taste of country living at it's finest. Set over three days, it will also be a chance to relax and enjoy the beauty of Mclaren Vale too. What better place to relax and learn all you wanted to learn about wine?
You have the option to stay at the wonderful The Vineyard Retreat and in addition to the wine education course, ample opportunities to learn about food and wine pairing us we share meals in the winery or on the outside terrace. Gourmet lunches will be prepared each day by bespoke chef Todd Steele of Chef Steele. Todd has a wonderful understanding of the region and its produce and will work with Nathalie to pair dishes to chosen wines.
There will be wonderful food and companionship for 3 days while Nathalie hosts and conducts the wine course. As an added treat, we hope that Fox Creek's own winemaker, Scott Zrna will be available to participate and share his knowledge as part of the course. Nathalie is passionate about terroir and a tour of the vineyard itself with Nathalie and Scott is an opportunity not to be missed. The things that you learn about as the course unfolds you will see, touch and smell when you visit the vineyard.
The theme of this wine retreat is to of course learn about wine but we want it to be more than that. A relaxed informal country house atmosphere, casual al fresco meals, good wine and good conversation.
Fox Creek Winery
The Fox Creek story began when a small group of doctors and their wives decided to pursue a lifelong passion – creating wine from bare earth and sunshine. The earth was found at McLaren Vale, one of South Australia’s premier wine regions, globally renowned for its Shiraz. The sunshine was free.
Between them and their families Fox Creek Wines was born and what a success their venture has been!
When Jim and Helen Watts bought the 32 hectare Fox Creek Vineyard property in 1984, they were advised against planting vines in the black clay soils that had previously been used for growing barley. Undeterred by the sceptics, they nurtured the young vines which bore fruit – exceptionally high quality fruit – and lovingly converted it into supreme quality wine!
As we believe wine is principally created in the vineyard, great care is given to the vines. Many of the vineyards are trellised to expose the grapes to sunshine and free movement of air which reduces susceptibility to disease. Our premium wines are sourced entirely from grapes grown in the McLaren Vale region and most of them from our own vineyards.
McLaren Vale Wine Region
McLaren Vale is the birthplace of the South Australian wine industry and home to some of the world’s oldest grape vines.
McLaren Vale boasts around 65 wineries, mostly boutique-sized. About 270 independent grape growers can also be found here. Visit weekend farmer's markets and pack your picnic hamper with fresh bread, cheese, olives and fruit or linger over lunch in a picturesque vineyard restaurant. Walk, cycle or horse ride along the Shiraz Trail, which follows an old railway line from McLaren Vale to Willunga. Then soak up the region's artistic culture on one of the many driving and walking trails.
Nestled between the rolling Mount Lofty Ranges and Gulf St Vincent beaches, the McLaren Vale region is known for its impressive wines, lush regional produce and scenery. McLaren Vale is also rich in history. It is the birthplace of the South Australian wine industry and home to some of the world's oldest grape vines. The first McLaren Vale vines were planted in 1838. Today McLaren Vale has 65 wineries, mostly boutique-sized, and all within a short distance of McLaren Vale's main street. About 270 independent grape growers can also be found here.
McLaren Vale's Mediterranean climate has created ideal conditions for grape-growing. Shiraz is the most important variety grown in the region, accounting for about half of the area's production. The climate and soil produce intense flavoured fruit and wine with a deep purple colour that can last decades in the bottle. The region also specialises in chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and grenache, as well as merlot, sauvignon blanc and riesling. In between tastings, meet the winemakers or take a guided behind-the-scenes tour.
For further details, inclusions and bookings, click here