The McLaren Vale wine region, in the north-west of Fleurieu Peninsula, is located approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) south of Adelaide. It is by far the most important wine-producing area in the Fleurieu zone and is also regarded very highly throughout Australia and the world. A wide array of grape varieties can be successfully grown here. The best wines come from very old vines, some planted more than 100 years ago. These are prized for producing low yields of extremely concentrated fruit. Shiraz leads the region's list of award-winning wines, making McLaren Vale a favorite place to grow this grape. Overall, the climate is Mediterranean, with fresh sea breezes helping to moderate temperatures during the growing season. Chilly winds from the hills also cool the grapes on specific vineyard sites, helping to retain acidity and structure. The summers and most of the autumn season are dry, which keeps vine diseases at bay. McLaren Vale vineyards also boast a wide range of soil types, with localized specialties.

The Murray Darling climate is of continental type – hot and dry with very low rainfall. Such is the sunny nature of this climate that the area has become known unofficially as Sunraysia. The lack of humidity here helps to keep the vines free from fungal diseases such as mildew, and assists in guaranteeing the high yields so important to the region's place in the Australian wine industry.