Samuel's Gorge is a boutique McLaren Vale winery housed in a beautifully restored 1850s barn perched above the dramatic Onkaparinga Gorge. Winemaker Justin McNamee is known for his focus on Mediterranean red varieties — Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre (Mataro), Tempranillo, and Nero d'Avola — sourced from growers who follow organic and sustainable principles, with McNamee's own vineyards farmed using an uncertified regimen that falls somewhere between organic and biodynamic. The winery's ethos centres on people and place, aiming to let the personality of each vineyard and vintage express itself honestly in the glass.
Samuel's Gorge is not formally certified organic. However, winemaker Justin McNamee farms his own vineyards using an uncertified regimen that sits between organic and biodynamic, and he works with local growers who follow organic and sustainable principles. The wines reflect a genuine commitment to low-intervention, sustainable viticulture.
The winery specialises in Mediterranean red varieties, with Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre (Mataro), Tempranillo, and Nero d'Avola at its heart. The range is focused, site-specific, and typically reflects the vintage character of McLaren Vale.
Yes — the cellar door is open daily from 11am to 5pm at 193 Chaffeys Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171. Walk-ins are welcome; bookings are recommended for larger groups.
The winery is set in a restored mid-19th century barn overlooking the Onkaparinga Gorge — one of McLaren Vale's most dramatic landscapes. The focus on Mediterranean varieties rather than the region's classic Shiraz alone sets it apart, and the small-batch, artisan approach has earned it a strong following among wine enthusiasts.