Ekhidna Wines McLaren Vale Cellar Door
+61 499 002 633+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sat
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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CUISINES
Australian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch
features
Is this restaurant wheelchair accessible?
Details
About
The Ekhidna Wines Restaurant offers one of the most picturesque dining experiences on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Ekhidna Wines Restaurant menu showcases the best of locally-sourced produce and imported international ingredients. Paired with it's award winning hand-crafted wines and beer by Matt Rechner
CUISINES
Australian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Digital Payments, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.5
554 reviews
Excellent
390
Very good
106
Average
33
Poor
15
Terrible
10
Tudgey53
Paradise Point165 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
After sampling a few of the wines at the cellar door and checking out the menu, we decided on the “Feed Me” menu where they choose the dishes to serve us and pair their wines to the dish. A good idea as although it was quite expensive we had dishes we probably would not have chosen, the squid was beautiful and tender and the kangaroo surprisingly good too. They were very busy and although the staff were excellent they did overlook bringing us the paired wine a few times and we had to keep asking if there was a wine with the dish which was slightly annoying but overall a lovely, interesting lunch.
Written 9 February 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.
Allan
Port Elliot138 contributions
Feb 2021 • none
On a whim we dropped in for lunch and were lucky to get the last table available. We were early but the room soon filled with patrons and despite this the place is sound friendly and conversation is easy. A couple of issues with incomplete menus were promptly remedied and drinks and food ordered in a comfortable and timely manner. Food was fabulous, cooked exactly as requested and some dietary issues were no problem. Service remained attentive and we appreciated the ability to have time between mains and deserts. The views on this day were changing rain squalls across the hills which added to the warmth of welcome service and exquisite food.
Written 4 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.
Jules S
Hi Allan,
Thank you for coming to Ekhinda and we are so happy you had a great time and enjoyed everything. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with everyone, we really appreciate it. We look forward to seeing you all again soon! Cheers Ekhidna Team
Written 26 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kelly
Brisbane13 contributions
Apr 2022 • family
Had a fabulous lunch here on Easter Sunday. The venue was extremely busy however the service was amazing and we were never waiting to order another drink or our meals. One of our party is coeliac and was able to eat about 95% of the menu which was a lovely change.
The entree serving sizes are a little small for the price (breaks down to $22.50 per entree in the 2 course meal) however the quality of food was amazing and made up for it. 4.5/5 stars for the place overall.
Written 17 April 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.
Ekhidna Wines
Hi Kelly. We are very pleased you were satisfied with our menu, we consistently strive to create great food that is inclusive to many dietary requirements so it is wonderful to hear this feedback. Thankyou for your comments regarding meal sizes, we strive to use as many local ingredients as we possibly can which contributes greatly to the quality of our dishes.
We look forward to welcoming you back at the cellar door, and do a keep a lookout or our new Winter Menu coming soon. Warm Regards, Team Ekhidna.
Written 20 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jo_eastaff
Middleton192 contributions
Jan 2021 • friends
Today, four of us had lunch here. The menu gives you no option but to have 2 courses for $60. If you just want a main course you are out of luck. Strike 1!
I thought we had progressed from the less food- more money, on a big white plate. It seems not, though in this case everything came served in an uninspiring, appetite crushing grey bowl.
We laughed at the miserly serves. One of our party even sent a photo to her daughter's partner as a joke. His comment was, "Where is the rest of it?". Strike 2!
The ceviche was delicious, the 5 spice salt and pepper squid was without flavour, and the beetroot entree was just...well, beetroot.
The beef was excellent. It was rare (as ordered), juicy and tender. We were looking forward to the duck fat potatoes but 3 barely crisp 5cm longp, finger width cores of potato simply didn't cut it. We don't know if our stunned faces at the sight of the size of the first meal placed on the table precipitated the delivery of a complimentary serve of salt and vinegar potatoes (rrp $15), but it did stop our stomachs rumbling.
When the waitress cleared the table, she said to our host, "I've got a surprise for you." She scurried off and rather than returning with a little chocolate each or some other treat, slapped a brochure on the table and proceeded with a hard sell to sign up for a contract to buy wine each year at a discounted price. It completely broke the rhythm of our conversation. No doubt such tactics at the end of a meal when the patrons have had a few wines is often successful, but for us, it was a big Strike 3! You're out!
We won't be returning. Free 'spuds' or no.
Written 4 January 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.
Jules S
Hi Jo,
We are sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your experience with us, and I have passed on your review to all.
We are happy to hear you enjoyed some of your food.
Our wine club had only just started when you came in and maybe our staff were a ' little over-enthusiastic, as they think it's amazing.
Our fabulous region has lots to offer and everyone has different expectations. We hope you find your favourite place and would love to see you back at Ekhidna one day. Cheers Ekhidna Team
Written 26 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ashley A
11 contributions
Apr 2022 • family
I am writing this review to let you know to save your money. I don’t mind paying good money for food however I believe they were more focused on presentation than substance. If you don’t care about the food and simply want to get drunk then the place is yours. Large tastings available. Note the quality of the wine appears to be chemically adjusted to cater to the standard wine. Overall I’m sure the winery means well but it’s competitions in Mclaren are way ahead of the wine and dine game.
Written 30 April 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.
Ekhidna Wines
Hello, Ashley
Thank you for taking the time to write a review and we are disappointed to hear you didn't enjoy your visit
We are proud to say our award-winning wines are made using traditional methods with zero “ chemical adjusting”, zero fining agents, zero artificial additives and minimal sulphur.
Written 8 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andrewww
Adelaide196 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Lunched mid January. The food is top class the location and ambiance is 10 out of 10. The cellar door I can see could get a bit noisy. Lunch cost us over $300 for 4 of us so be prepared but its definitely worth a visit. A credit to the region.
Written 30 January 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.
Ekhidna
Hi Andrew, thank you for taking the time to share your great review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your visit to our cellar door and you had a wonderful lunch in our restaurant, I shall pass on your kind words to all of the staff. We look forward to seeing you again soon. Cheers, the Ekhidna Team.
Written 3 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Saffy68
Encounter Bay193 contributions
Jan 2022 • couples
This is our 5th visit to Ekhidna and it never disappoints! The staff are very friendly and Matt is always the exceptional host, ensuring everyone has a great wine tasting experience. Our 2 course meal was generous and tasty. Beetroot tartar and a Calamari tasting plate was a great way to start. Followed by Balinese Chicken and Salmon for mains all dishes were well presented and tasty. We will back, it is one of favourite places in McLaren Vale.
Written 1 January 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.
Jules S
Thankyou Saffy, we are so glad you enjoy your visit every time! Can't wait to see you again, our new Autumn Menu will be announced soon.
Written 1 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Samantha W
3 contributions
July 2022 • none
Ekhidna Wines was a bit of a surprise but in a very good way, there were 4 of us on a girls trip away and we booked in for Lunch at Ekhidna Wines at the last minute.
The atmosphere was lovely and relaxed while the wait staff were attentive and knowledgeable, they were very accommodating and friendly. The food was amazing, we shared 4 dishes and then had a desert each, all of them were fantastic. We tasted a few wines over lunch and then went on to buy more at the cellar door because they were so delicious.
The wine I ordered arrived back in Melbourne in a few days. All round this was one of my favourite places to visit during our trip to Adelaide.
Written 20 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.
Ekhidna Wines
Hi Samantha, we are so pleased to hear you and your guests enjoyed your experience at Ekhidna. Thank you for your very kind words, enjoy your Ekhidna wine and we look forward to you visiting again soon! Team Ekhidna
Written 31 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jackie Aylward
Australia1 contribution
Nov 2020 • none
We had chicken starter and the barramundi main course. Both disappointing. The barramundi dish was a piece of fish in a sauce with no vegetable or salad accompaniment. We paid $240 for the food and left hungry and ripped off. This is our second disappointing visit so unfortunately will not be returning or recommending.
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.
Jules S
Hi Jackie,
Thank you for coming to Ekhidna. We are sorry your experience was not a positive one as we try really hard to look after everyone and make sure they have a great time with us. I have passed on you comments to our staff and do hope we see you again in the future and your experience is much better. Cheers Ekhidna Team
Written 26 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rachel G
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • friends
We really enjoyed our lunch with friends at Ekhidna over the weekend. The food was delicious and their wines equally so. Very relaxed garden tables with swift and polite service staff. We loved the three way squid platter - squid cooked to perfection in three different ways -scrumptious. I had the most perfectly cooked steak for main course and indulged in the three ways lemon dessert - it was sensational.
I would absolutely recommend this fabulous restaurant.
Written 18 April 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.
Ekhidna Wines
Hello! We are so pleased you enjoyed your lunch over the Easter Long Weekend and were able to make your experience relaxed and welcoming. We will pass your positive comments on to our Ekhidna Kitchen, we are sure they will love hearing this. Looking forward to having you up at the cellar door again soon. Team Ekhidna.
Written 20 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marie S
Melbourne63 contributions
May 2022 • none
Great mother's day experience, but have to say the $90 each share plate experience was seriously lacking in quantity/substance - but flavours and the quality of the food outstanding. Certainly only enough food for two, not the three of us and we are not big eaters. Wine outstanding, very generous with servings, ambience great. Great locale - when I go again, I will be sure to say there needs to be enough food and if they can't guarantee this, I would do tastings only.
Written 12 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.
Ekhidna Wines
Hi Marie,
Thank you for your review. We apologise for the portion sizes on your Mothers day visit. We have recently employed a high end chef from Sydney and have addressed the issue as we agree that they were too small. At Ekhidna we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding quality and outstanding value for money.
We look forward to seeing you on your next visit.
Kind regards
Written 16 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Peter W
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • none
Recently my wife celebrated her 70th birthday at Ekhidna Wines with 30+ family & friends. The staff 'team' could not have been more friendly, helpful & accommodating. Everyone who attended our function were unanimous in their praise of the food, wine, setting & quality of the service provided. We could not recommend the entire experience more highly.
Written 24 April 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.
Ekhidna Wines
Hi Peter, wow thankyou so much for your feedback and review. We are so pleased our team were able to make such a memorable and seamless experience for your wife's big day! We look forward to welcoming you at the cellar door again sometime soon. Warm Regards, Team Ekhidna
Written 25 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dave C
1 contribution
Feb 2022 • friends
This was my second visit to Ekhidna wines with both experiences being awesome. The food was delicious and well priced and was only outdone by the service and of course the wines. It was one of the best and most generous wine tastings I have done and I have done many.
The staff were awesome and Matthew the wine maker made us feel like family. A beautiful setting to top it off. I can’t recommend it more highly.
Thanks guys. We will be back.
Dave Clayton.
Written 14 February 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.
Ekhidna Wines
Thankyou for the wonderful review Dave, we are so pleased you had an awesome experience up at Ekhidna and cannot wait to have you back! Will pass the message on to Matt and the Team.
Written 27 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sharee v
Greater Adelaide2 contributions
June 2022 • family
We have been looking forward to this experience for weeks with good recommendations . We just had the degustation menu for $90 each for 3 of us.
. The serving and wine tasting staff were excellent but 1 prawn and small amount of beef were not what you expect for a degustation menu. For me to to not walk out without any wine is very rare .
Written 10 June 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.
ankCairns
80 contributions
Apr 2022 • couples
We booked this winery in advance as a lunch venue as part of our private wine tour through McLaren Vale. The food was outstanding. The venue just spectacular. We really enjoyed our 2-course meal with some wine pairing. A special thanks to Cushla. You made our lunch very special providing us with great service and unplanned wine tastings. If we came back to McLaren Vale, Ekhidna Wines would be on our list again for sure. I can highly recommend it
Written 1 April 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.
Ekhidna Wines
Thankyou for your wonderful review, we are so pleased you enjoyed your time at Ekhidna and we were able to make the experience memorable! We look forward to having you up at the Cellar Door again soon, and will pass your special thanks on - Team Ekhidna
Written 3 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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