Maxwell Wines
Maxwell Wines
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Since 1979, family owned Maxwell Wines has built a reputation for producing hand made, rich and robust reds that combine exquisite fruit quality with structure and finesse. The family is also famous for its range of Maxwell Meads, being the most significant producer in the southern hemisphere of this time-honoured, delicious honey wine. with its eighty acre estate vineyard, cellar door and on of the regions leading restaurants; Ellen Street Restaurant, Maxwell Wines is an idyllic place for an unforgettable food and wine experience with breathtaking views overlooking the rolling hills of McLaren Vale.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- MuzMcQ46 contributionsPerfect from start to finishThis was our second visit to Maxwells and have to say the experience was even better than the first. although our group was a little smaller this year, the 10 course degustation was exceptional and completely different to the first time. We started with the winery heritage tour, which included barrel tasting some delicious reds and then headed to lunch where we were treated like kings and queens but spoken to in the friendliest manner with smiling, relaxed but efficient happy staff who truly belong in hospitality. I won't say too much about the dishes, but lets just say we took many 'food porn' photos and the flavours...........excellent match to the wines served.......or is it the other way around? Who cares. Going back with friends at the end of Jan. Thankyou Maxwells.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 1 January 2024
- LocalSupporterD11 contributionTasting & CanapesWe enjoyed an exceptional tasting to celebrate family birthday - it was the starting point for our day. The staff were amazing, knowledgeable and attentive. We ate, drank and laughed then finished off buying several bottles to share for New Years Eve.Visited December 2023Written 2 January 2024
- gabebealNewcastle, Australia1 contributionSuperb wine tasting experienceWe booked for a 45 minute tasting experience with Maxwell Wines in McLaren Vale having never visited the area before. The attention to detail was excellent with delicious canapes partnered expertly with each wine. The staff were very attentive & welcoming and the wines & meads selected for our tasting were 5 star.Visited August 2024Written 6 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
122 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
19
Average
4
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Susieaus
South Australia, Australia242 contributions
Feb 2021 • Family
I never give a bad review but unfortunately this has eaten at me and needed to review it poorly.
We decided to do a day visiting some of our favourite wineries in McLaren Vale. Due to Covid restrictions, we booked in advance to 3 of our favourite wineries & unfortunately this was the worse and we left very disappointed with a ‘we won’t be back attitude’.
It is sad as we chose this as been before, the tasting price was $10 and a great tasting menu & dozens of wines purchased.
The 2 wineries we visited prior were friendly, informative and welcoming, no pressure to leave or purchase. We were a family of 2 couples and a 5 month old, we booked in to have a picnic, tasting & then maze. We didn’t bother with maze, we just wanted to leave after the tasting and go elsewhere.
We booked for 4 people and 3 tastings at $15 a head,which was triple the price charged elsewhere. My husband who was a non drinker and driver, wasn’t even given a glass or offered water, i asked & was pointed to the bar, so I collected him the glass & bottle of water. There are only 4 tastings for $15 and two whites are poured at same time, with a brief explanation with no expression involved, then the 2 reds are poured with same lack lustre explanation. We hadn’t finished and we were asked if we wanted to purchase anything,which we found rude.
My little grandson was so well behaved and just kept watching the girl serving and not once did she acknowledge him or my husband who was not drinking.
You spend this large amount on tasting but you have to spend over a $100 to use the $15pp, other wineries charge $5 and taken off your purchase.
We always purchase a bottle or more if there is no tasting charge, if minimal & service is good, so again disappointed here.
Sorry but we won’t be back!
We decided to do a day visiting some of our favourite wineries in McLaren Vale. Due to Covid restrictions, we booked in advance to 3 of our favourite wineries & unfortunately this was the worse and we left very disappointed with a ‘we won’t be back attitude’.
It is sad as we chose this as been before, the tasting price was $10 and a great tasting menu & dozens of wines purchased.
The 2 wineries we visited prior were friendly, informative and welcoming, no pressure to leave or purchase. We were a family of 2 couples and a 5 month old, we booked in to have a picnic, tasting & then maze. We didn’t bother with maze, we just wanted to leave after the tasting and go elsewhere.
We booked for 4 people and 3 tastings at $15 a head,which was triple the price charged elsewhere. My husband who was a non drinker and driver, wasn’t even given a glass or offered water, i asked & was pointed to the bar, so I collected him the glass & bottle of water. There are only 4 tastings for $15 and two whites are poured at same time, with a brief explanation with no expression involved, then the 2 reds are poured with same lack lustre explanation. We hadn’t finished and we were asked if we wanted to purchase anything,which we found rude.
My little grandson was so well behaved and just kept watching the girl serving and not once did she acknowledge him or my husband who was not drinking.
You spend this large amount on tasting but you have to spend over a $100 to use the $15pp, other wineries charge $5 and taken off your purchase.
We always purchase a bottle or more if there is no tasting charge, if minimal & service is good, so again disappointed here.
Sorry but we won’t be back!
Written 10 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil A
Adelaide, Australia23 contributions
Dec 2020
We dropped in today, just to perhaps try one varietal, on arriving the only staff member was giving a long winded speech to a small group , he failed to recognise our arrival, bad start, a simple , hi I will be with you soon is all that is needed. Eventually he came to us and said we can’t sit where we had stood as it was booked and shuffled us off. It seems you have to have a wine tasting which costs 15 dollars And a long long winded waffle to go with it., but includes varieties I know we don’t like. We left. But thought perhaps we would just take our dog and sit in their picnic area. No $5 / person to do just that. Found a park in the town. A bit la de da for us. Sorry.
Written 3 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anastasia Black
1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Friends
We recently visited Maxwell Wines on Saturday around 11:30am. We originally booked two picnic hampers and unfortunately due to the lack of supply of cheese from the supplier, we were unable to go forward with the baskets. We were very understanding of this and was told we would receive a “premium package” as compensation. Unfortunately we felt as a group this was miscommunicated and we were unfortunately treated very poorly by the waiting staff. The place was stunning and the tasting was a 10/10 with Heidi as she knew her products and how to pair it with food.
However poor service from one of the waiters as he was not approachable and derailed the experience. Management unfortunately showed poor people skills and we were made to leave feeling like we were scum. After one member of our group was engaging with the waiter and having a laugh, the manager approached our group to tell us to “stop making his staff feel uncomfortable” when we told the manager it was a joke and we were sorry his response was “it has been going on for too long”
After this encounter we all decided it was best to leave and we left feeling extremely embarrassed. Other patrons witnessed this so we felt even more uninvited. We are from Brisbane and we have heard amazing things about this winery so we were all eager to come and went to a lot on effort to be here but unfortunately after this series of unfortunate events we have decided we will not be returning.
However poor service from one of the waiters as he was not approachable and derailed the experience. Management unfortunately showed poor people skills and we were made to leave feeling like we were scum. After one member of our group was engaging with the waiter and having a laugh, the manager approached our group to tell us to “stop making his staff feel uncomfortable” when we told the manager it was a joke and we were sorry his response was “it has been going on for too long”
After this encounter we all decided it was best to leave and we left feeling extremely embarrassed. Other patrons witnessed this so we felt even more uninvited. We are from Brisbane and we have heard amazing things about this winery so we were all eager to come and went to a lot on effort to be here but unfortunately after this series of unfortunate events we have decided we will not be returning.
Written 11 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beechee68
Adelaide, Australia730 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
The restaurant at Maxwell’s is beautifully set out drinking in the vista of the surrounding vineyards. The service is exemplary and professional with a nice touch of friendliness. The menu is degustation and many option are on the table for those wanting alternatives. Each delish course was a stepping stone to the next and I paired with the premium wines make an excellent dining experience overall...It was an amazing day and one we will talk about for many days to many people to come...
Great skill is demonstrated in both presentation and cooking of all high quality ingredients.
Great skill is demonstrated in both presentation and cooking of all high quality ingredients.
Written 28 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David Hallett
Adelaide, Australia1,038 contributions
Jul 2020
This winery has a beautiful location overlooking the vines of the Southern vales.
You need to pay for the tasting which is refunded after you purchase the wines but is definitetly worth it as the wines are excellent and the staff very knowledgeable.
Food is available on the weekend but we will return for this!
You need to pay for the tasting which is refunded after you purchase the wines but is definitetly worth it as the wines are excellent and the staff very knowledgeable.
Food is available on the weekend but we will return for this!
Written 19 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natalie B
Adelaide, Australia66 contributions
Feb 2021
We went for a lunch degustation for my elderly mothers birthday on a Sunday afternoon , and were very happy we did. They accommodated our dietary requirements and the selection was not only generous but extremely delicious. Service was good also and the wine pairing worked really well. We are very picky and have eaten all over the world, so when I say " I will be back", it means this place is worth a try. The scenery was also worth noting....just beautiful.
Written 15 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenton-Jolly
Adelaide, Australia1,962 contributions
Dec 2021
I have herd about this establishment and I thought what a awesome place to go for our 8th wedding anniversary. I have been in regular contact inquiry about menu wine and covid situation.we arrived early so we was sent to the verandah for a drink the smells from the kitchen were amazing was salivating of thinking what we could be eating . the staff came to collect as our table was ready. The staff have so far been so amazing the restaurant was small but cosy .we was seated and presented with the days menu. it looked all so amazing as the food started coming out I was just so amazed with the flavours and the skill of the food and presentation.it was a fabulous lunch indeed a great celebration. I would highly recommend this restaurant and I will be thinking of this lunch for a long time.
Written 26 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MuzMcQ
46 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
This was our second visit to Maxwells and have to say the experience was even better than the first. although our group was a little smaller this year, the 10 course degustation was exceptional and completely different to the first time. We started with the winery heritage tour, which included barrel tasting some delicious reds and then headed to lunch where we were treated like kings and queens but spoken to in the friendliest manner with smiling, relaxed but efficient happy staff who truly belong in hospitality. I won't say too much about the dishes, but lets just say we took many 'food porn' photos and the flavours...........excellent match to the wines served.......or is it the other way around? Who cares. Going back with friends at the end of Jan. Thankyou Maxwells.
Written 1 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aussienando
1,135 contributions
May 2022
The best winery in South Australia and not to be missed on a visit to McLaren Vale. The wines were amazing – my favourites were (1) 2021 Barrel Fermented Verdelho which had the most incredible passionfruit nose and (2) 2021 FRESCA Grenache which was sensational. My husbands favourites were (1) Sparkling Mead which tasted like a ginger beer without the sugar hit (2) Honey Mead which would be the perfect affogato accompaniment (no need for Frangelico). All the wines were just so good – and we joined the Club giving us access to some of the great exclusives. We were so spoilt with the most outstanding tasting experience led by Mark, yes the winemaker himself.
And there is so much to do at Maxwell’s – a lime cave tour (omg, the perfect spot for a romantic lunch or dinner), picnic, visit to the maze, helicopter tour AND the most indulgent degustation lunch. Superb in every way. And so connected to the limestone coast.
And there is so much to do at Maxwell’s – a lime cave tour (omg, the perfect spot for a romantic lunch or dinner), picnic, visit to the maze, helicopter tour AND the most indulgent degustation lunch. Superb in every way. And so connected to the limestone coast.
Written 14 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kim y
Adelaide, Australia6 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
We did a wine tour with Maxwell today and had such an amazing time. The tour was extremely well thought out and informative. Our guide, Oliver, was extremely knowledgeable and passionate which makes the tour so much better.
The wine we have tasted in Maxwell is easily one of the best in the Mclaren vale region. You can really see the effort and love they put into wine making. Extremely wonderful day in Maxwell and would definitely be back again!
The wine we have tasted in Maxwell is easily one of the best in the Mclaren vale region. You can really see the effort and love they put into wine making. Extremely wonderful day in Maxwell and would definitely be back again!
Written 1 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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