Trace the history of the Bushing Kings & Queens as you walk along Main Road, McLaren Vale

Main Road, Mclaren Vale

For more than half a decade, the McLaren Vale wine community has celebrated the culmination of the McLaren Vale Wine Show through the Bushing tradition.

The tradition dates back to medieval times when tavern owners would place ivy bushes above their tavern doors to celebrate the arrival of the new vintage wine, or fresh mead. The hanging ivy represented the opportunity to savour wines at their best.

In the early 1970’s, McLaren Vale winemakers incorporated this tradition to welcome the release of new vintage wines, by hanging olive branches over their cellar doors. Nowadays, olive branches (and their olives) are much more valuable, but the tradition still continues with olive trees placed (or planted) outside cellar doors.

McLaren Vale’s first wine show committee was formed in 1973 with the first wine show held that year.

Whilst McLaren Vale is one of Australia’ oldest wine regions, it is devoid of pomp and ceremony – except for the crowning of the Bushing King or Queen.

The winemaker of the ‘Best Wine of Show’ is crowned as the Bushing King or Queen at the McLaren Vale Wine Show Bushing Lunch and this is cause for much celebration.

Trace the history of the Bushing Kings & Queens as you walk along Main Road, McLaren Vale (commencing at the corner of Valley View Drive and heading east along Main Road).