In their words, McLaren Vale Distillery stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation, reinvigorating a living testament to Australia’s wine history, blending the rich heritage of fortified wines such as muscat, fortified shiraz, and port, with the art of whisky production. McLaren Vale is one of Adelaide, South Australia’s 18 wine regions, and only a 45 minute drive from Adelaide city.
MVD owner Jock Harvey’s family has a rich history themselves. They settled in Australia in the early 1800s and since then five generations of Harveys have had a close affinity with the rich fertile earth of McLaren Vale and its vines.
The McLaren Vale fortified wine range includes a muscat, fortified shiraz and the signature 1947 VOTP, which can all be sampled in MVD’s Fortified Wine Tasting Experience.
Their flagship offering, the Barley to Bottle Tasting Experience takes visitors through the entire journey of fortified wine and whiskey production, from the raw ingredients in the vineyard to the finished product in the distillery. Visitors witness firsthand the meticulous processes of fermentation, distillation, and aging, set against the backdrop of MVD’s picturesque vineyards.
MVD is taking an active role in stewarding the future of fortified wines and giving people a reason to “fall for fortifieds”. That’s why they created the fortified wine festival ‘Neat Sips’ which is “on a mission to prove fortifieds are back in a big way”. Recognising a gap in consumer education and appreciation for fortified wines across South Australia, MVD collaborated with producers from seven distinct wine regions to create an event that celebrates the diversity and versatility of fortified wines. The event intends to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation among consumers and industry professionals alike about the cultural significance and rich heritage of fortified wines and its relevance to the modern wine lover.
MVD’s creative efforts to inspire and delight wine lovers and wine tourists through discovering fortified wines was recognised by the judges who awarded them the 2025 Best Of Wine Tourism Award for Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences. They commended McLaren Vale Distillery for its genuine point of difference, honouring Australia’s significant history of fortified wines and adding a rich layer to attract new fans in this category.
Have you fallen for fortifieds yet?
Acknowledgements and photo: McLaren Vale Distillery