Clarendon Hills, Wine estate in McLaren Vale, South Australia
Clarendon Hills is a wine estate in the Blewitt Springs and Clarendon sub-districts within McLaren Vale, with vines planted on elevated terraces, some dating from the 1940s. The property produces around 500 cases annually, with all grapes hand-harvested and fermented in open-topped stainless steel tanks using natural yeasts.
Roman Bratasiuk founded Clarendon Hills in 1990, introducing single vineyard wines to Australia and releasing the country's first pure Grenache in 1991. These early innovations set the foundation for modern Australian winemaking and established the property's international reputation.
The vineyard arranges its wines using a French-inspired classification system, with Astralis Syrah designated as Premier Grand Cru. This approach reflects European influence brought into the property's winemaking philosophy.
The property sits at a higher elevation, which means conditions there are cooler and can be windier, especially in the evenings. Visitors should prepare for changing weather and wear sturdy footwear, as the terraced layout means pathways may be steeper and require more physical effort to navigate.
The vineyard sites sit at the highest altitude in McLaren Vale, where cooler night temperatures help maintain grape acidity during ripening. This geographic position sets the wines apart from others in the region and contributes to their characteristic flavor profile.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
