Into architecture, much? Glamorously poised by the roadside in McLaren Vale’s slightly higher, slightly cooler Blewitt Springs subregion, Beresford is worth a visit on design principles alone—before you even get to the wine. This modernist, angular tasting pavilion is an exercise in magazine aesthetics, enticing clientele to match (don’t turn up in footy shorts and thongs). This isn’t to say that Beresford is at all snooty: being here brings a sense of serenity – of bearing witness to the building’s great beauty, and becoming a player in the architects’ grand designs.
A visit to Beresford is a chance to feel beautiful, too, as you enjoy the bounty of the estate’s 70 acres (with adjunct vineyards on the other side of the Fleurieu Peninsula in Langhorne Creek). Tasting experiences (from $10) meander through lush grenache, shiraz, cab sav and chardonnay offerings, offset by pizzas and regional cheese platters—best enjoyed on the deck, or by the suspended fireplace inside if it’s wintry. SA beer and gin tastings and mod accommodation at Beresford House are also available. Book ahead for everything.