Bevvie Wonderland: Kangaroo Island’s Cellar Doors
Cheers, fellow libation lovers, and hold on to your glasses because Kangaroo Island is about to blow your mind!
Sure, it’s known for its stunning beaches that could rival any postcard, but this little slice of paradise has so much more to offer than just sandy shores and crystal-clear waters. If you want to know more, our article below will guide you on a boozy trip to the island!
Wines
False Cape Wines
Website: http://www.falsecapewines.com.au/
Address: 1054 Willson River Rd, Dudley East SA 5222
Contact Details: 0447 808 838
Operating Hours: Daily – 11 am to 5 pm
False Cape Wines beckons with an inviting, rustic charm—with its lush lawn enclosed by glossy reused wood and jetty timbers. This wine haven is just a 15-minute drive from Penneshaw, making it terrific for short but remarkable escapades.
Furthermore, it’s amid undulating hills and scenic vineyards, so it could make even the snobbiest wine critic take selfies with nature as the backdrop. The centerpiece, though, has to be their wines, with the 2021 Shiraz and Chardonnay being our go-to drinks!
Don’t miss their tantalizing 2020 Cabernet Merlot, though. This exquisite wine caresses the palate with luscious flavors of dark berries, cassis, and spice.
Dudley Wines
Website: http://www.dudleywines.com.au/
Address: Kangaroo Island, 1153 Cape Willoughby Road, Penneshaw, Cuttlefish Bay SA 5222
Contact Details: (08) 8553 1333
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 10:30 am to 4:30 am
- Tue to Wed – Closed
- Thu to Sun – 10:30 am to 4:30 am
At Dudley Wines, get ready to be swept away by an awe-inspiring clifftop view overlooking the picturesque Backstairs Passage strait.
The cellar door is seaside chic, with breezy interiors, whitewashed walls, and nautical-themed furniture that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled upon the captain’s private hideaway.
But this cellar door is not just about aesthetics. From their crisp and refreshing Sparkling Rose to their full-bodied Merlot, each sip of their top wines will let you savor blends of premium fruitiness and subtle acidity.
Our team also loves Dudley Wines’ quirkier drinks, like the herbaceous Grassy Flat Sauvignon Blanc 2022 and the floral Cape Heart Riesling 2022.
With a medium-sweet to off-dry style, these two offer a harmonious balance of sugary and earthy goodness perfect for zesty and spicy meals like lemon-drizzled seafood and flaming-hot curry.
Bay of Shoals Wine
Website: http://www.bayofshoalswines.com.au/
Address: 49 Cordes Rd, Kingscote SA 5223
Contact Details: (08) 8553 0289
Operating Hours: 11 am to 5 pm
Bay of Shoals Wine has a seaside cellar door with weathered wooden adornments, beach-inspired decor, and hues of sea blues and sandy neutrals.
The best part? It’s just a 4-minute drive north of bustling Kingscote!
Our team’s wine connoisseurs went to town with their 2022 Pinot Gris and 2021 Oaked Chardonnay. The former has notes of ripe pear, juicy peach, and crisp apple that leave a lingering fruity aftertaste.
The Oaked Chardonnay, on the one hand, unfolds with enticing notes of pineapple, citrus, vanilla, warm spices, and, of course, oak.
For an older drink, have a sip of their 2017 Shiraz, a wine that showcases the elegance of dark berries, rich spices, and powerful black pepper!
Islander Estate Vineyards
Website: http://www.iev.com.au/
Address: 78 Gum Creek Rd, Cygnet River SA 5223
Contact Details: (08) 8553 0289
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – 12 pm to 5 pm
- Wed – Closed
- Thu to Sun – 12 pm to 5 pm
From seaside wine havens, we also tasted what this riverside and rural vineyard offers.
Islander Estate Vineyards is nestled near the pristine Cygnet River and oozes intimate energy and down-to-earth appeal with its classic wooden panels and exposed brickwork.
Our team thinks the bubbly French-inspired Pétiyante takes the cake here with its majestic layers of white peaches and something that tastes like brioche.
Oh, and we also can’t forget about their best-selling 2017 Shiraz, a deep and dark berry-flavored drink!
Walk-in tastings for groups of 6 or fewer are welcomed here. However, if you plan to visit with a larger group of 7 or more, you must hit their phone or website to secure your schedule.
Spirits
Kangaroo Island Spirits
Website: http://kangarooislandspirits.com.au/
Address: 856 Playford Hwy, Cygnet River SA 5223
Contact Details: (08) 8553 9211
Operating Hours: Daily – 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Kangaroo Island Spirits’ cellar door might be a big hit for those who love the combination of sleek contemporary design and rustic aesthetics.
With its eye-catching turquoise accents and playful pops of yellows and greens, this spot is one you shouldn’t miss.
Our faves? We’ll go with the drink that drew us here: their Mulberry Gin. This fruity drink bursts with the flavor of sun-ripened mulberries.
Don’t miss out on the Whisky Barrel Aged Gin either! This remarkable liquor is the fruit of patience and impeccable craftsmanship, having spent time in charred oak barrels and absorbing the nuances of whisky.
The result? A botanical gin that carries the smoothness and warmth that whisky is known and loved for.
Prefer something wilder? Give Kangaroo Island Spirits’ Wild Gin a shot.
With the first taste, we picked up the usual botanical notes of gin. Then, the taste of juniper took center stage—piney and resinous!
Beers and Ciders
Drunken Drone Brewery
Website: https://www.facebook.com/DrunkenDroneBrewery/
Address: 1157 Elsegood Rd, Macgillivray SA 5223
Contact Details: (08) 8553 8295
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5 pm
Drunken Drone Brewery is cozy and rustic, embellished with wooden trimmings and beer-themed decor giving this spot a true-blue microbrewery look. What shines the most here is their honey-flavored beers—sweet and bitter must-chug drinks.
Their Pale Honey Ale is noteworthy too—with its floral hop bitterness and distinct sugary kick of honey.
What sets this bevvie apart is its ability to keep the party going even during long nights, as it offers a gentle kick that won’t leave you buzzing too early.
We also have to mention their Honey Wheat Ale! This refreshing brew is a medley of smooth and creamy wheat malt and honey.
Kangaroo Island Brewery
Website: http://www.kibeer.com.au/
Address: 61 N Coast Rd, Kingscote SA 5223
Contact Details: 0491 978 808
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 12 pm to 6 pm
- Fri – 12 pm to 9 pm
- Sat to Sun – 11 am to 7
Our team’s hopheads call this brewery Beertopia, and there are several reasons why.
The modern bar area showcases a wide range of beer taps, like ales and stouts, and their impressive brewing equipment, giving visitors a glimpse into the craft behind their beloved happy hour drinks.
If you want something light, we recommend trying their Coastal Lager, which has a crisp and refreshing flavor courtesy of its citrusy hops and smooth malts. If heavy is what your palate desires, fill your pints with their robust Indian Pale Ale!
Another great drink we love here is their Pale Ale. A harmonious blend of malt sweetness and hop bitterness, it’s easy on the gut and taste buds.
If you’re looking for a leveled-up edition of their Pale Ale, we suggest giving their Sparkling Ale a whirl. This one is packed with citrusy and floral notes!
Kangaroo Island Ciders
Website: http://www.kangarooislandciders.com.au/
Address: 691 Willsons Rd, Macgillivray SA 5223
Contact Details: (08) 8553 8228
Operating Hours: 9 am to 4 pm
Kangaroo Island Ciders is conveniently housed within the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, Shop, Cafe, and Cellar Door complex. This unique location lets visitors learn more about ciders and the fascinating emu oil industry.
But since we’re here for their ciders, we’ll recommend their best-selling Draught Cider, which is crisp, fresh, tart, and sweet because of ripe apples. Also, don’t forget their Vintage Cider, a mellow drink aged in French oak barrels.
Take your cider experience to the next level by indulging in a glass amid the serene apple orchards.
