Picturesque SA winery voted the best in nation
A charming cellar door with a sprinkle of fairy tale in McLaren Vale is winning hearts across Australia.
A cellar door in McLaren Vale has been listed in The Halliday Wine Companion as Australia’s favourite winery experience for 2027, with more than 8000 votes cast in its annual People’s Choice Award.
Unlike Halliday’s other awards, which are determined by a panel of experts, the People’s Choice Award puts the decision in the hands of the public. And the people have spoken.
Who won the 2027 People’s Choice Award?
Taking out the top spot in 2027 is South Australian winery Down the Rabbit Hole Wines, which returns to the podium after finishing second in the same category last year. The family-owned cellar door is found in McLaren Vale, a scenic region roughly 40 kilometres from Adelaide known for its award-winning wineries.
Established in 2013 by husband-and-wife duo Domenic and Elise Palumbo, Down the Rabbit Hole produces small-batch wines using organic and biodynamic farming methods paired with minimal-intervention practices.
While it all began with a single shiraz, the vineyard has since diversified its range under the watchful eye of Walter Clappis, Domenic’s mentor and one of Australia’s most acclaimed winemakers. The Clappis family, alongside prominent South Australian wine family the Cooters, now form the winemaking team at Down the Rabbit Hole.
Today, the boutique cellar door produces a diverse range of wines. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)
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Lovers of shiraz will be glad to hear it’s still very much part of the brand’s identity, with two vintages available. But if you’re not a fan of the full-bodied wine, there’s plenty more on the menu. From chardonnay and blanc de blancs to tempranillo and grenache, you’re sure to find a favourite.
The reasons behind the win
So, why did over 8000 people vote for Down the Rabbit Hole Wines? Well, ask anyone who has been and they’ll tell you: it goes far beyond what’s in the glass.
Over the years, business continued to boom for Down the Rabbit Hole Wines. Naturally, the next step was to build a cellar door where visitors could experience the wine for themselves. The Palumbo’s did exactly that, welcoming their first guests in 2019.
The rustic light-filled space is perfect for an afternoon wine tasting. Its chunky timber beams, woven furnishings, terracotta tones and Med-inspired touches all work to create a warm and homely feel. On-site restaurant Fiore only adds to the ambience. Opened in 2020 and helmed by executive chef Nick Tadija, it brings Italian flavours to the table using local ingredients.
But what truly sets this winery apart is found beyond its walls. Outside, fairy lights twinkle above a deck scattered with wooden benches and rattan lounge chairs. From there, a sprawling lawn unravels to the property’s tree-lined border, set up to shift with the seasons.
The garden is the perfect picnic spot come summertime.
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Terracotta tones and rattan textures create a Med-inspired feel.
The rustic cellar door is filled with natural light.
In summer, the garden is dotted with colourful cushions and picnic rugs, a large wooden swing hanging from the branch of an ancient pine. Throughout the warmer months, local musicians join guests on the grass for live gigs, best enjoyed with a shared bottle, a charcuterie board, and wood-fired pizza.
Come winter, picnic rugs are replaced with fire pits that pair perfectly with a glass of red. Those reluctant to head indoors can book a Winter Garden Marquee and spend the afternoon sipping wine and snacking on small plates from a cosy bell-style tent.
A vintage double decker from the 70’s has been fitted out for tastings.
The garden is also where you’ll find one of the winery’s coolest hangouts, which no doubt played a part in its win. Off to one side sits a vintage double-decker bus from the 1970s, which has been completely refurbished to host wine tastings and long lunches. The best table is arguably upstairs, where giant windows offer views over the property.
The top 10 People’s Choice wineries
While a McLaren Vale local took out top spot, it’s not the only South Australian vineyard people voted for. In fact, over half of this year’s winners hail from SA.
Down the Rabbit Hole was one of seven South Australian wineries listed among the top 10.
This result is a testament to the state’s thriving food and wine scene, which boasts everything from the world’s best whisky to a burgeoning distillery crafting ocean-infused gin.
Here’s the full list.
- Down the Rabbit Hole Wines, McLaren Vale, SA
- Elderton, Barossa Valley, SA
- Cofield Wines, Rutherglen, Vic
- Brokenwood, Hunter Valley, NSW
- Maxwell Wines, McLaren Vale, SA
- Laughing Jack, Barossa Valley, SA
- Chateau Tanunda, Barossa Valley, SA
- Thicker than Water, McLaren Vale, SA
- Audrey Wilkinson, Hunter Valley, NSW
- Gibson, Barossa Valley, SA
– Australian Traveller
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