Chapel Hill Winery is entirely in the Hills Face Zone. In 1990 environmental consultants were briefed to advise regarding development in this sensitive rural preserve. The estate obtained planning approval from the Minister for Environment and Planning in 1991, and built the winery in 1993. Chapel Hill is the embodiment of the wine and food experience delivered using the best of environmental practices by people who are passionate about their product and the McLaren Vale winegrowing region.
Originally the Christian Bible church and parish school, the church closed in its centenary year (1965) and fell into disrepair until its restoration in the 1970s. The church is today a tourist attraction and serves as the cellar door at Chapel Hill. In December 2000 Chapel Hill changed ownership once more, this time being purchased by the Swiss family of Mr Thomas Schmidheiny. The Schmidheiny family also own Cuvaison Winery in California and vineyards in Argentina and Switzerland.
In 1994 the winery received a commendation for "A development sensitive to the environment in the Hills Face Zone". In 2003 Chapel Hill obtained planning approval to build the Chapel Hill Winery Gourmet Retreat, the boutique hotel and cooking facility.
Set into the hillside, constructed of stone in browns and greys, using recycled materials, the Gourmet Retreat construction is cognisant of minimising its impact on its vineyard environs. In 2005 the company received a merit award in the Nature Foundations Environment Award.
The cellar door at Chapel Hill is set within a historic nineteenth century stone church from which the winery takes its name. Situated at the top of one of McLaren Vale's magestic hills, views from the cellar door are magnificent. Take the time to share a picnic on the grass and enjoy the surrounding views of the rolling hills dotted with vineyards and the ocean.
Chapel Hill is one of the most hospitable country retreats in the McLaren Vale. Major emphasis has been placed on erecting the most splendid amenities where the estate's superlative wines can be sampled and savoured amongst within a context of idyllic surrounds and the finest foods. The Chapel Hill Winery Gourmet Retreat is an epicurean getaway, catering exclusively for residential guests in a unique, rural, vineyard environment. Whether a business in need of a venue for a 2 or 3 day retreat, a team building event, a special celebration or individuals looking to hone their skills in the kitchen, the Chapel Hill Winery Gourmet Retreat is ideal. By blending a fabulous Mediterranean climate with superb cuisine, great wine and luxurious accomodation, in a glorious vineyard with spectacular views to the sea, Chapel Hill has it all.
The two-storey chalet-style Chapel Hill Winery Guest House B&B is set among the vineyards, 100 metres from the Gourmet Retreat. Guests (capacity for 6) will enjoy breath-taking views of the Onkaparinga River National Park, the Gulf of St Vincent and surrounding vineyards from both indoor and outdoor living areas. "A leading medium-sized winery in the McLaren Vale. Wine quality is as good, if not better, than ever!" -Wine Companion.com.au
