Maximising the wine tasting experience for all the family

Before I begin this post I feel I should say at this point, when I am not on maternity leave I work in experiential marketing. This means I do put a lot of emphasis on the importance of the overall cellar door experience for everyone, not just on the wine alone. I am also probably more interested by the 'brand experience' and decor than others may be.

Anyway that aside here are my top tips for maximum fun for all - i.e. small children, the designated driver and of course the taster/s!

1. Planning

These amazing booklets are distributed free at the tourist centres, some cellar doors and the national wine centre in Adelaide. They are well worth picking up as they tell you a bit about each cellar door and include a handy map. Make a list of the ones you want to go and work out a logical geographical route. There is no point in driving back and forth! Make sure you know the opening hours, they vary.

We have found having 3 musts and 2 nice to visits works well. If the troops are happy, them you push on to 5, if not then you know you have seen your main wish list. We have stumbled on some good cellar doors just driving about, but we like to plan! It's half the fun!

2. Eating

If you want to go to a restaurant it's best to book in advance. Websites like trip advisor are especially great for the McLaren Vale. A few are featured in the entertainment book too. We used a voucher for saltram and had the best lunchat a very reasonable price.

Picnics also work really well with kids. Most cellar doors provide a space for eating a picnic and in our case the children prefer a picnic anyway. At some you can even pick up more picnic goodies too.

3. Drivers perks!

It can be a bit demoralising being the designated driver and chief child minder so including a very pretty cellar door with lovely grounds into the itinerary is vital. The smaller ones may have fabulous wines but controlling little ones in a tight space is not always so easy! Allow time to have a run around together as a family and enjoy the view.

If you try a particular nice wine it's always great to bring one home to try together that evening. You may wish to refer to Dan Murphy's fabulous app first to check it's  not much more expensive at the cellar door.

4. Knowledge is power

James Halliday is the THE man on Australian wine. We have this book and his lovely atlas. The five star wineries are five star for a reason. It's also good to know what the winery is famous for before you go as it can be a bit much to try all the wines in every cellar door. I know you can tip them out but I find that hard!

5. What works for us and our 2.5 year old and 10 month old

9.30/10am - Leave Adelaide - allowing time to stop at pretty viewing points for pics or at the tourist office to pick up some new leaflets

11am - First cellar door -all go in. Generally our boys are usually happy to sit at the bar for the first one of the day

12pm - Lunch at pretty cellar door - either picnic or restaurant and play afterwards

1.30pm - Third cellar door (at least one of kids is usually asleep by then so the driver stays in the car) - ideal time to visit a smaller one

2.00pm - Fourth cellar door

2.30pm - Fifth cellar - another pretty one, with lots of toys or space to burn off some post nap energy

Let me know your top tips too?