Samuel's Gorge

Samuel's Gorge is among McLaren Vale's most distinctive cellar doors — a boutique operation founded in 2003 by winemaker Justin McNamee on a property that overlooks the Onkaparinga River National Park to the north and the Gulf of St Vincent to the south. The cellar door is housed in the original 1853 farmshed, a stone building of genuine character that puts the history of the site in the room with the wines. Justin's philosophy is one of patience and instinct: indigenous yeasts, slow fermentation, small batches, and minimal intervention. The resulting wines — Grenache, Tempranillo, Graciano, Mourvèdre, Shiraz — carry the texture and site specificity that comes only from this kind of careful, unhurried approach. These are not wines built for immediacy; they're built to reward the glass and the conversation. The cellar door experience is personalised and deliberately intimate. A passionate team guides visitors through the current releases in a setting that balances spectacular views with the working reality of a small-batch producer. Bookings are recommended for all tasting sessions to ensure the attention to detail Samuel's Gorge is known for. Contact the team at cellardoor@gorge.com.au or on (08) 8323 8651. With 532 reviews averaging 4.9 stars, Samuel's Gorge is one of the highest-rated cellar doors in the entire Vale — a reflection of the experience Justin and his team deliver consistently, regardless of group size. McLaren Vale's red soils and Mediterranean climate make it one of Australia's finest terroirs for Grenache and Shiraz, and Samuel's Gorge works those varieties with the kind of depth that comes from two decades of commitment to the same patch of ground. Ready to visit? Book your tasting through the Samuel's Gorge website or call (08) 8323 8651.