The unique result of his elbow grease and ingenuity. Stubborn determination and unbending standards. Eccentricity and authenticity. Carved into a limestone hill at the heart of McLaren Vale and etched into its history is a winery, meadery and restaurant he built with seductive locations for spectacular occasions: a tribute to one man’s vision and tenacity. Drop by when you next visit the Vale.
The Restaurant
MAXWELL-Dined.
Some say McLaren Vale offers the best regional dining in Australia. But few know a part of that reputation is Maxwell-made. In 1969, Mark's father contributed to the region’s first notable eatery. And when Mark Maxwell built this winery, it was one of the few with its own restaurant. Our menu has always championed fresh, seasonal produce from local suppliers. Although, our brilliant Head Chef, Fabian Lehmann, is far from local. With a stellar career forged in the Michelin-starred restaurants of Europe, his exquisite plates are now the stuff of Instagram legend. Restaurant open for lunch Friday, Saturday & Sunday with sittings from 12 noon and dinner service from 6:30 pm on Saturday evening.
-Dined.
MAXWELL-TASTED.
Cellar Door
-TASTED.
Not all Cellar Doors give Maxwell’s holistic wine experience. Perched above the winery, you have a window into its soul. While Mark Maxwell and his team proudly introduce you to our range of wines and mead through a personally guided flight, you may glimpse an infant vintage start its journey in the fermenters below. Discover the nuances brought about by time, terroir and talent over a wine and canapé experience accompanied by the scents and sounds of the winery below.
THE CLUBS
MAXWELL-CONNECTED.
Many of the clans of our Scottish forebears were not kin by blood. They simply adopted the clan’s name. This allowed them to identify with the Maxwell spirit and claim the benefits of belonging. So, even if your name isn’t Maxwell, you can still join The Clan and be treated like a member of our extended family with all the benefits that brings. That means member-only pricing, events & even member-only wines, plus much more.
-CONNECTED.
MAXWELL-BRANDED.
THE WINE
-BRANDED.
Concentrated. Robust. Characterful. The qualities of the winemaker reflect in the quality of the wine. Every wine that is made by Maxwell is, indeed, Maxwell-made. This is the unique result of one man’s vision, tenacity, and unbending standards. Since establishing his brand here in 1979, Mark Maxwell has come to understand the unique terroir of our limestone hill, and can extract every characteristic difference for every estate wine, regardless of price.
THE MEAD
MAXWELL-LOVED.
Australia’s favourite honey wine. Our family treasure. If you’ve never tried wine made from honey, start with the best. Because Maxwell Mead is Maxwell-made. Making wine from honey instead of grapes was first introduced to this country by Mark Maxwell’s father, Ken (1915 – 2004) whose devotion to the ancient craft created the benchmark for modern mead-making around the world. Today, Maxwell Mead is Australia’s favourite honey wine and the most successful range in the Southern Hemisphere. Not only is mead thought to be the oldest fermented drink originating in Northern China as far back as 7,000 BC, when the ancient Greeks discovered it, but they also called it ‘ambrosia’: the nectar of the gods.
-LOVED.
MAXWELL-PLAYED.
Discover our maze and picnic ground
-PLAYED.
MAXWELL-Planned.
Create an event that is Maxwell-made
-Planned.