d'Arrys Verandah Restaurant - McLaren Vale

Address: Osborn Road,
McLaren Vale SA 5171

Cuisine: Global   Seats: 80

Price: $40-$55 Entree & Main  

Phone: (08) 8329 4848  Fax: (08) 8323 9862

Chef: Peter Reschke & Nigel Rich  Sommelier: Jo Reschke  

About d'Arrys Verandah Restaurant

In 1996 the original d'Arenberg 19th century homestead was renovated and extended to house the winery's cellar door facilities. The homestead also includes a magnificent hilltop restaurant overlooking d'Arenberg's vineyards, McLaren Vale and the Willunga Escarpment falling into the Gulf St. Vincent.

The Homestead's extensions have realised the vision of d'Arenberg's Chief Winemaker Chester Osborn whose grandfather last renovated and extended the building just after the turn of the century.

Chester and his father d'Arry have re-fitted the idiosyncratic Australian cottage with a long, wide, enclosed verandah built from local materials and timber from a derelict wool store in Port Adelaide. d'Arry's Verandah restaurant incorporates a large outdoor brick paved patio, which is next to the original ironstone dairy, sheltered by two striking white sails in front of a large natural amphitheatre, tailor made for outdoor concerts and festivals in d'Arenberg's vineyards.

Very few restaurateurs ever have the opportunity to utilise the extraordinary food and wine resources and culture like those of McLaren Vale. Since 1836 settlers in the district have worked with the maritime, Mediterranean climate using the rich soils and distinct seasons to cultivate vineyards, kitchen herbs, fruit orchards and vegetables, grazing animals, growing cereal and grain crops, as well as collecting native produce.

Fresh, seasonal produce is the basis of McLaren Vale's cuisine. It seems as the world quickly ‘globalises', it also simultaneously ‘localises'. The list of produce from McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu Peninsula is continually growing, and the quality of much of the produce just keeps getting better and better.

At the beginning of the year all manner of summer fruits abound, followed by the grape vintage and almond harvest, and then by the ripening of wild and plantation olives for pickling and olive oil.

You'll also be tempted by local cheeses, milk and cream, chocolates, honey, mustards and vinegars. Nor should we forget garlic, ginger, horseradish, wild mushrooms, blueberries, currants, strawberries, potatoes and blackberries.

And then there are freshwater yabbies and trout, saltwater whiting, garfish, flathead and red mullet from local beaches, as well as wild rabbits and hare, raised pigeons, quails and kangaroo and oh yes, grapes.

The simple aim of d'Arry's Verandah is to represent McLaren Vale at its most delightful by providing the very best. d'Arry's Verandah is open year round, though times will vary, so it is best to ring and check. Lunch is served every day as well as on public holidays.

There is an extensive Estate & Museum wine list, with some very old d'Arenberg offerings that have been lovingly dusted off from our very own cellar.

Menu Sample

Lobster Medallion with Blue Swimmer Crab Ravioli and Lobster Bisque; Rabbit Sausages with confit of rabbit leg, white bean smash and truffle salsa.