A minimalist building sits long and low in front of us as we pull into the gravelled car park. Beresford Wine’s Tasting Pavilion is a combination of elegance and style, its refined simplicity designed to be a sleek backdrop for their tasting experiences.

In summer the large sliding glass doors are opened to allow the cooling breezes to flow in from across the vineyard, but as it is a crisp July afternoon we are treated to the pleasure of a slow burning wood fire spreading its heat over the low soft lounges and Italian leather chairs. The fireplace is a feature in itself. Suspended from the ceiling, it floats in space aged opulence.

Beresford’s finely detailed interior is reflected in their contemporary approach to the traditional cellar door experience. A range of structured tasting experiences are on the menu, starting from just $15 per person. Today we plan to try the Icons Wine Tasting Experience ($30), a flight of six wines paired with matched tasting plates of regional flavours. As Cameron sets out crisp placemats, shining crystal glasses and petite servings on jet black tiles I feel as though I am at a fine dining venue. The locally sourced and prepared canapes are as immaculate as the architecture. Cameron notes the flavours are intentionally kept simple, the elegant presentation offering easy flavour combinations guests can recreate at home should they choose to re-enact the experience with a bottle purchased from the cellar door.

Sitting in the dappled sunlight streaming in through the surrounding gum trees, we start with the Angelique Premium Cuvee, a delicate spritz of honeydew melon and soft strawberry. It is paired with a roulade of smoked salmon which spirals around a centre of whipped cream cheese. The puffed rice adds a pleasant crunch, and another sip of Cuvee cuts through the assertive flavour and oily texture of the fish with a refreshing citric zip.

The Estate Grenache blooms from the bulbous Burgundy glass in a buoyant bouquet of spiced red fruit. It opens with a tease of sharp tanninic bite, which softens swiftly into a sultry rounded palette. It pairs beautifully with the Nomad farm pressed chicken terrine, crisp poppy seed strewn toast and smoky tomato chutney.

Next, we delve deeper on our tasting journey into the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, a dark complexity of rich black fruits with a backbone of firm long tannins. This is matched with a thin cracker which supports wafers of smoky Smoked Ellis Beef short rib, sharp sour pickle and a ribbon of creamy aioli.

A thick disc of rolled Fleurieu goats cheese on a rounded rye toast waits in line, mirroring the earthy richness of the Estate Shiraz. The shiraz itself has an unexpected sweetness, though this is tempered by long layers of spice and soft tannins.

The Limited Release Shiraz is created from hand selected parcels chose by winemaker Chris Dix himself. The consideration for quality is immediately evident in the wafting notes of white chocolate and ripely spiced fruits. The palette descends into sophisticated plum, cherry and blackberry flavours with savoury tannins. The profiterole it is paired with looks deceptively plain on the tile, yet my first bite into the buttery choux releases a gruyere and béchamel filling which melts in my mouth.

We finish with a Sparkling Shiraz, a true South Australian icon in itself. With 20% fortified, it has a succulently sweet beginning which intensifies into a smoked lusciousness of roasted plum and toasted vanilla. Its dark chocolate characters dance across my tongue with the 70% dark chocolate ganache filling of the soft shelled vanilla macaron.

Beresford’s guided journey into the exquisite interactions of food and wine is a perfect way to sample the quality produce of the Mclaren Vale region. They have a range of experiences on offer, from the tasting flights through to catered private tastings and high teas. Treat yourself to a journey down Blewitt Springs Rd to soak in the stunning setting and invigorate your senses.

Words by Danielle Clarke

WHERE: 252 Blewitt Springs Rd, McLaren Flat