The first grapes in the valley were planted in 1838.
Early European settlers, William Colton and Charles Thomas Hewett, arrived in the valley in late 1839.
As early as 1850 the historic Hardy and Seaview wineries were in operation.
Thomas Hardy’s purchase of the Tintara vineyard in 1853 is often cited as the beginning of the town. In 1857, Thomas Hardy became the first person to export Australian wine to England.
By 1911 a total of 123 acres (50 ha) in the valley were planted with vines.
By the 1920s the name McLaren Vale was applied to the region more than a town.
During the 1920s the wine industry trebled its exports.
In 1923 the town of McLaren Vale was gazetted as a private town.
In the 1950s a number of cellar doors opened in the valley.
During the 1970s, 25 new wineries were established.
The entire McLaren Vale wine area was protected by an act of parliament which was legislated in 2013.
Today McLaren Vale is known internationally for its excellent wines.
