What is the Oldest Winery in McLaren Vale?

Seaview Winery, established in 1850, holds the distinction of being McLaren Vale's oldest continuously operating winery. Founded by George Manning, this historic estate has witnessed nearly 175 years of winemaking evolution in the region.

Historical Timeline

1850 - George Manning establishes Seaview Winery, making it McLaren Vale's first commercial winery.

1876 - Thomas Hardy purchases the property, expanding operations significantly.

1880s - The winery gains recognition for producing high-quality sparkling wines.

1900s - Seaview becomes known for both still and sparkling wine production.

Present Day - Now part of Accolade Wines, continuing the tradition of quality winemaking.

Other Historic Wineries

While Seaview claims the title of oldest, several other wineries have significant historical importance:

Tatachilla Winery (1903) - Originally established as a maltings, converted to winemaking in the 1990s but maintains its historic 1903 buildings.

Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards (1890) - Established by Herbert Kay, still family-owned and operated.

Wirra Wirra (1894) - Founded by Robert Strangways Wigley, though the modern incarnation began in 1969.

Historical Significance

These early wineries established McLaren Vale's reputation for:

• Quality wine production from the region's unique terroir
• Innovation in winemaking techniques
• Export potential - early wines were shipped internationally
• Tourism development - laying groundwork for modern wine tourism

Architecture and Heritage

Many historic McLaren Vale wineries feature:

• Original stone buildings from the 1800s
• Heritage-listed cellars and equipment
• Preserved underground storage areas
• Historic vineyard blocks with century-old vines

Preservation Efforts

The McLaren Vale region actively preserves its winemaking heritage through:

• Heritage building protection
• Historic vineyard conservation
• Traditional winemaking method preservation
• Educational programs about wine history

Evolution of Winemaking

From these historic beginnings, McLaren Vale has evolved to become:

• Home to over 80 modern wineries
• Australia's first Sustainable Winegrowing region
• A leading wine tourism destination
• An innovation hub for new winemaking techniques

Visiting Historic Sites

Wine enthusiasts can explore McLaren Vale's history by visiting:

• Historic cellar doors with original architecture
• Heritage-listed buildings
• Century-old vineyard sites
• Wine museums and interpretation centres

The legacy of these pioneering winemakers continues to influence McLaren Vale's character, blending historic traditions with modern innovation to create world-class wines.

Discover wines that honour McLaren Vale's rich winemaking heritage at McLaren Vale Cellars, where we celebrate both historic traditions and modern excellence.