Sitting high above Adelaide with panoramic views to the ocean, Penfolds Magill Estate is home to some of Australia’s most revered wines. The Magill Heritage Experience offers atmospheric cellar exploration and the remarkable story behind the iconic Penfolds Grange.
Welcome to the Penfolds Magill Estate
The Penfolds Magill Estate, on a gentle hill with marvellous views out over Adelaide and the ocean, is the home of Australia’s most revered wine. It is thought to be the closest working winery to a CBD anywhere in the world. And it has been here since 1844.
The Magill Heritage Experience is well-worth taking, partly because it heads into atmospheric parts of the old winery, and partly because the stories are surprisingly engaging.
Founders and early history
Dr Chris Penfold and his wife Mary arrived in South Australia from Sussex in South-East England, and purchased a 500 acre site. Their cottage is still standing – it’s called the Grange, and the world famous Penfolds Grange brand was named in honour of it.
Dr Chris was a doctor who concentrated on medicinal wines and prescribed an awful lot of port, while Mary was a self-taught winemaker. On the voyage over to Australia, they collected vine cuttings in South Africa, and the winery grew on the back of these.
Growth and marketing success
The company was so successful that they had an excise office on site, next to the old cellar door.
But good as the wine was, Penfolds’ success came on the back of blanket marketing. The tour touches on old slogans and advertising material used.
Wine production today at Magill Estate
Nowadays, only 250 tonnes of wine per year are made on the Magill Estate – most of the Penfolds production is in the Barossa Valley. But the barrels are on display in the darkened network of underground tunnels.
The secret story of Grange
It’s one of these tunnels that plays a key role in the story of Penfolds Grange. Winemaker Max Schubert – who started at the company as a messenger boy – tried to convince the board that they needed to make a Bordeaux-style wine with long aging capacity.
But the board hated the test samples, and ditched the project. Undeterred, Schubert continued on the quiet, storing barrels behind a false wall in one of the tunnels. When the board retried the wine a year-or-so later, they realised Schubert was on to something and asked him to restart the project. No restarting was required – he just brought the secret operation out into the open.
Five great things to do while you’re in Adelaide
- Kayak with dolphins – at the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.
- Take wildlife-packed day tour to Kangaroo Island.
- Combine an Adelaide Hills tour with a lunch cruise on the Murray River.
- Enjoy a tasting tour of four Barossa Valley wineries – with a gourmet lunch.
- See incredible sunsets on a twilight cruise from Glenelg.
Penfolds Magill Estate: Nearby attractions
- Adelaide Botanic Gardens – A historic garden with themed plant collections, glasshouses and seasonal displays. Also home to Adelaide Zoo, which you can reach on a Popeye cruise.
- National Wine Centre of Australia – Wine exhibits, tastings and interactive displays focussed on Australian wine.
- Art Gallery of South Australia – Extensive collection including Australian, Indigenous and international art. The Migration Museum and South Australian Museum are close by on North Terrace.
- Adelaide Oval – Iconic stadium with tours, events and panoramic city views.
- Hahndorf Village – A charming German heritage town with eateries, artisanal shops and cultural history.
Penfolds Magill Estate pricing and visit information
| Visit option | Details / Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Magill Heritage Experience | Guided tour of the winery and cellars with tastings – costs $50 and lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. Takes place daily at 10am and 1pm. |
| Ultimate Penfolds Experience | Heritage tour plus tastings of premium wines in a private room. Costs $175, lasts 1.5 hours, takes place at 11.30am daily. |
| General admission | Free entry to grounds and historic areas; tours are paid experiences. |
| Online booking | Recommended in advance, especially for premium tastings and weekends. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the Penfolds Heritage Tour? | A guided experience through the historic winery and underground tunnels, including stories of Penfolds’ history and tastings. |
| Do I need to book ahead? | Yes, tours often sell out, especially tastings and weekend slots; advance booking is recommended. |
| Is the winery still producing wine? | Yes; a small amount is produced at Magill Estate, with most Penfolds wine made in the Barossa Valley. |
| Where does the name “Grange” come from? | It comes from the cottage named the Grange on the original estate, which inspired the world-famous Penfolds Grange brand. |
| Can I visit the grounds for free? | Yes; the estate grounds are open for free exploration, but tours and tastings have charges. |
Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. Book through them, and I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
More Adelaide travel
If you’ve enjoyed this guide to the Penfolds Magill Estate, other Adelaide travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- What you need to know before visiting Cleland Wildlife Park.
- Why visit the Bay Discovery Centre in Glenelg?
- 7 fantastic Adelaide attractions that many visitors miss.
- Plan your visit to Adelaide Gaol.
- What to expect at the Gorge Wildlife Park.
