INKWELL WINES

Real. Different.

Inkwell delivers a refreshingly real and distinctly different approach in the creation of their eco-conscious wines. From new releases of reds, whites, rosé and extended skin contact whites to fortified wines and back vintages, Inkwell’s wines are intentionally crafted with minimal intervention, allowing the authentic flavours contained within their organically grown grapes to take centre stage. Inkwell Wines offers guests a luxurious hosted wine tasting experience, within the cosy interiors of their main tasting room on the upper level, or on one of their three outdoor decks. There are four wine tasting menus to choose from, with an ever-changing menu which allows you to discover something new with every visit. A bridge on ground level provides easy access to the cellar door, and group bookings are capped at just six guests, ensuring you can enjoy an intimate, comfortable and relaxed tasting experience. Bookings are strongly encouraged to minimise waiting times and ensure you experience your tasting at a time that suits you.

Welcome to the Vineyard

As you enter along the gravel driveway of the property, you will pass fertile vineyards lined with towering gum trees. After parking, you cross a small bridge and arrive on the front deck and outdoor wine tasting area for Inkwell’s cellar door. Once inside, you will be greeted at the cellar door and check-in area. If you’re lucky, Daisy the dog will greet you until you say: “Hi Daisy!”. The scent and sound of a wood fire burning in the cooler months imparts a cosy, calm ambience. During summer, guests can sit outdoors under the shade of a big umbrella and get inebriated with the diverse scents the vineyard produces, from sweet smells of flowering vines to flowers and different plants which grow amidst the vines - part of the regenerative farming philosophy practised at Inkwell. The cellar door tasting rooms are also located on this upper level of the two-storey establishment, cantilevered out over lower deck areas looking west across the vineyards. Hotel California Road suites are located on the lower level, ensuring the privacy of guests.

The Tasting Experience

Embark on an exciting journey of the senses as you swirl and savour your way through one of Inkwell Wine’s signature tasting experiences. Book the Estate tasting to experience five current release wines produced exclusively from grapes grown at Inkwell Estate. Sample three or four of their vintage and solera style varieties with the Fabulous Fortifieds tasting menu, or take a seat by the fire as you explore the exquisite textures and flavours of Inkwell Reserve and Museum Reds with our distinguished Reserve Tasting. On hot summer days, an evaporative cooling system ensures a refreshing air circulation and a “just right” temperature indoors to taste any wine. On weekends, the Wild West tasting menu allows guests to tickle their taste buds with five adventurous styles, varieties, and blends to discover.

Tastings can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors, and all guests can enjoy the viewing deck which boasts views from Mount Lofty to the tip of the Fleurieu peninsula. On most days, the viewing deck has a constant breeze and customers can hear many different birds from the vineyard in front of the building. The cellar door is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11-5pm, and maximum group size, including any children, is capped at just six people. Children must remain seated during your visit for the safety of all guests.

Sustainability at Heart

Inkwell Wines and Hotel California Road have been created with a passion for sustainability at the very heart of all they do. They produce organically grown grapes, following sustainable and regenerative principles to produce low intervention wines that express the ‘fingerprint of place’ of this iconic McLaren Vale vineyard. Their quality selection of wines are fermented naturally from unique indigenous yeasts without additions or corrections that impact flavours and aromas. The result is age-worthy wines that retain their natural freshness and intensity. Since commencing operations in 2005, Inkwell Wines have deliberately chosen to keep things simple and sustainable, using one tractor, one de-stemmer, one press, small fermenters that don’t require artificial cooling, oh and one dog! By removing as much of the human intervention as possible from their winegrowing and wine-making practices, they are ensuring you can enjoy the authentic flavours and fruit of their special site and labour for many years to come.

The adjoining micro-hotel was built in 2018 and is the sustainable brainchild of owners Dudley and Irina. Its clever, modern architecture is fashioned from twenty recycled shipping containers and as many reclaimed, upcycled and vintage materials as possible. It’s unique, eco-conscious design means you can feel good knowing that your chosen lodging has a minimal footprint on the environment, without compromise on comfort or quality.