The McLaren Vale wine region community came together at Wirra Wirra Vineyards on Saturday 6 February to mark the beginning of Vintage 2026, recognising the efforts throughout the season so far and the work that lies ahead through harvest.

Joining in this celebration was state Premier Peter Malinauskas, Minister for Trade and Investment Joe Szakacs, Mawson MP Leon Bignell and Mayor of the City of Onkaparinga Moira Were AM.

Speaking at the event, Premier Malinauskas affirmed McLaren Vale’s place as one of South Australia’s most significant regional assets.

“McLaren Vale is home to something very special, which is embodied by this community. The region should be proud of what it continues to do for South Australia as a whole.”

That recognition was reinforced by the Premier’s announcement of a $250,000 commitment to Labor’s new A Stronger Future for McLaren Vale: Agriculture, Tourism and Trade Strategy, aimed at strengthening the region’s long-term prosperity through agricultural diversification, expanded market access for local producers, and high-quality tourism investment.

The McLaren Vale wine community welcomed the commitment, particularly the Premier’s pledge to work with growers, winemakers, tourism operators and the local community to enhance the region’s competitiveness and resilience in a changing global economy.

Erin Leggat, CEO of McLaren Vale Wine Region says the announcement was a timely and welcome vote of confidence in the region. 

“McLaren Vale is operating in an exceptionally challenging global environment, and the Premier’s commitment recognises both the scale of the pressures facing our growers, winemakers and tourism operators, and the strategic importance of this region to South Australia’s economy, identity and global reputation,” she says.

“The $250,000 commitment to a Stronger Future for McLaren Vale strategy provides an opportunity for our region to work collaboratively with government on the priorities that matter most right now. 

“Just as importantly, it acknowledges the strength of this community and its readiness to adapt, innovate and partner for the long term.”

Held annually, the Bell Ringing Ceremony is testament to the close-knit fabric of the McLaren Vale community and the innovative and collaborative spirit of the wine region, and honours the traditions that have shaped the region since its first vintage 185 years ago.

The ringing of Wirra Wirra’s 3⁄4 tonne Angelus Bell to symbolically welcome in the new vintage is a custom that began over 35 years ago with the late Greg Trott, modern founder of Wirra Wirra and a vocal champion of McLaren Vale Wine Region.

This year’s vintage was hailed in by reigning McLaren Vale Bushing Monarch Paddy Gilhooly of Thistledown Wines, who rang the bell with Premier Malinauskas while the community raised a glass and sang the traditional ‘Bushing Wassail’. 

The McLaren Vale Bushing Monarch title has been bestowed on the producer of the ‘Best Wine of Show’ from the preceding year’s McLaren Vale Wine Show for over 50 years.

Speaking at the event, Bushing Monarch Paddy Gilhooly cited the raft of national and global accolades awarded to McLaren Vale Grenache wines throughout 2025 as further endorsement of McLaren Vale’s world-class fine wine reputation.