Chalk Hill / Never Never Distilling Co, Chalk Hill Wines, Cucina di Strada

We swung by for our first visit and parked on the hill with around 150 other cars. The modern architecture sat well on the hill, with extensive views across the valley. In a side alley I noticed a sign saying the enterprise had received funds from the SA Government Regional Development fundNever Never gin and Chalk Hill wine tastings were fully booked and those venues were full, as was the seating space between them. We scored a small table and 4 chairs on the extensive lawn before 1230 - any later and we'd have missed out - a very busy WednesdayThe queue at the Cucina was small and I'd soon ordered two Pinsa [$26 each] ham/cheese and vegan and only waited ~15 minutes for them.Meanwhile, my friend had bought a beer and three wines by the glass at the cellar doorThe Pinsa had a delightful outer crunch with a delicate inside - generously topped - delicious and sufficient for 4 peopleThe Chalk Hill wines and a Pirate Life Pale Ale were greatMoving on to our next destination the queue for food was over 20 people and new arrivals on the lawn were trying to scrounge chairsWe'll return for the gin and wine tasting outside the holiday season

With recommendations from locals we ventured into the world of Gin tasting. A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, good food, good gin, good views, and good company.

Amazed by the view. Very nice setting. They had a live band that played beautiful songs. They have the best pizza i evef tasted here in SA

Lovely lunch at Chalk Hill! The view is divine. We ordered two pizzas and arancini from Cucina do Strada. Couldn’t fault them. Absolutely delicious. Picked up some ice cream and a cheesecake on the way out as well. Great spot.

This is about Never Never Distilling Co specifically - we didn’t make it to the other places on site coz we enjoyed our gin tasting too much!We swung by on the recommendation of our server (Bonnie) over at the d’Arenberg Cube restaurant. She said that if we liked gin, we had to try Never Never - and she was right.We probably could have split 2 tastings amongst the 3 of us, but we’re all greedy so we each got our own flight. Each came with recommended botanicals to enhance them (& an explanation from the knowledgeable server as to why those were recommended) & we did enjoy the tasting, though we were definitely intrigued by the other special edition collaborations they had on offer which you could buy a glass of separately.Happily, our visit coincided with the launch of their Ginache — their Triple Juniper soaked in Grenache grapes — and by signing up to the newsletter (a no brainer: of COURSE I want to know about new product launches, yes pleases and thank you) we got a tasting of that added to our flights. And it was EXCELLENT.If you’re familiar with the Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin, it’s like that… but not. I’m a huge fan of the pinky purple gins that play with wine grapes & this one is no exception — I had to take a bottle home.Would love to go back & try Chalk Hill winery as well but on my next trip to SA I’m sure I’ll swing by Never Never to try some of their other special edition gins, too.

Interesting concept of multiple seperate businesses and clever use of space.Cucina Di Strade, OK coffees served quite hot, which is nice but (unfortunately) unusual. Pistachio, green tea and cherry mini cup cake was superb albeit expensive ( ~$8). We’ve eaten the Pinsa’s before and they are very tasty. Platters are tasty but basic/sparse.Never never is quite the gin experience. Exceptional service.Chalk hill wines didn’t do it for me.

This was my first stop to the wineries in McLaren Vale and the tasting had a great selection and our server had amazing knowledge of the wines!!!

Definitely my favorite wine tasting in the area.They had an acoustic session which made the atmosphere magic. Nice sceneries, good Street food, good wind, nice music.A perfect Sunday.