Wine Tours of Australia: A Wine World of Pure Imagination

Along the idyllic landscape of McLaren Vale’s South Australian wine country, most people expect to find vine-gilded hills, sun-soaked valleys, and maybe an occasional kangaroo or two. But when you reach the d’Arenberg cellar door, you’ll wonder if what you’ve come upon is a winery or an extraterrestrial spacecraft.

This five-story mirrored, cubic structure looks like it would blend in amongst the ultra-modern cityscapes of Tokyo or London. Instead, this avant-garde winery, known simply as the Cube, is an unexpected sight to see floating atop the vines of McLaren Vale’s verdant wine country.

The brainchild of d’Argenberg’s Cube was dreamed up by fourth-generation winemaker, Chester Osborn, known to many as the “Willy Wonka of Wines.” Osborn modelled the space after a Rubik’s Cube as a nod to the complexities that wine brings. Inside, the cellar door continues to disarm and beguile. From an Alternate Realities museum, to a 360-degree video room and panorama views throughout, the Cube is one of the most whimsical wineries around.

Of course, the main draw is the wine itself, and the d’Arenberg delivers on delicious varietals. The d’Arenberg family have produced wine since 1912, making them one of the first families of wine in South Australia. Today, they’ve perfected their craft to harvest over 30 different grapes to produce reds like Vermentino, Tempranillo, Sangiovese as well whites like Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier.

On the Australia and New Zealand Uncovered tour, you’ll take a tour and savour a wine tasting at this fanciful cellar door. It’s a palate – and mind – expanding experience!