Let’s start with how beautiful it is to visit a South Australian wine region in Autumn! The vineyards make a patchwork quilt of orange, brown, yellow and red as the vines are changing into all their autumn glory.

We visited the McLaren Vale wine region, one that we know well and yet, there are so many wineries we are still to sample.

Our latest outing took us to the family owned Hastwell & Lightfoot cellar door on Foggo Road, which specialises in Mediterranean wine varieties.

As climate change keeps having an influence on the wine industry, and altering the varieties that are able to be grown in a warming situation, this winery is excelling at keeping ahead of the game with grape varieties that will no doubt have a bigger future in the region.

Just when we think we’ve become familiar with all of the Mediterranean style wines, Fiano, Vermentino, Tempranillo, Montepulciano, another name was thrown into the mix that was completely new to us. Hello Barbera!

This style is a light bodied red with slight acidity, gentle tannins and perfect to drink straight from the wine rack or even slightly chilled. It also pairs very, very well with food.

That brings me to the best winery platter we’ve ever been presented with. Skip lunch and just visit Hastwell & Lightfoot. We had a guided tasting in which you choose to either try the signature range or the premium wine tasting. You won’t be disappointed with either and the tasting includes whites, a Barbera Rose and a range of red varieties.

The platter when it arrives is a drop dead gorgeous charcuterie board containing all the elements you want to accompany your wines. The cured meats, cheeses, dukkah, olives, almonds, fruit and vegetable crudites are delectable and come with a selection of crackers and bread, and the smoothest, tastiest hummus I’ve ever tried. Paired with soft, crisp, easy drinking wines, the combination is an absolute winner.

As for the setting where you can enjoy this pleasurable combination, the choices are yours according to the weather. You can find a sunny outdoor table on the deck, or a sun drenched room with big windows bringing the outdoor views in, or there are even cosy chesterfields in snug rooms, and comfy lounging chairs to settle into when the inevitable wintry weather arrives.

With a bit of autumn sunshine and the changing colour of the vines, now is a perfect time to visit Hastwell & Lightfoot.

You’ll find them at 301 Foggo Road, McLaren Vale and they’re open from 10.30am to 4.30pm Friday to Monday. The grazing platter for two and signature wine tasting flights for two can be purchased for $72.00 and you can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying the venue, the food and of course, the wines.

On our visit we also had wonderful service and relaxed informative chats with the Venue Manager and Sommelier Oliver Budack and cellar door hostess Anisha Sidhu, rounding off a memorable experience.

Enjoy

Glenys