Wine, Art & Wild Beauty
Magpie Springs is a boutique family-run vineyard, cellar door, and art gallery nestled on Willunga Hill in the Fleurieu Peninsula — the southernmost cellar door in the Adelaide Hills Wine Region. [^110^] Founded in the early 2000s by Avril Thomas and Steve, it is a place where fine wine, original art, and the wild beauty of the Australian bush come together. The vineyard sits at 310 metres above sea level, surrounded by ancient gums, native birds, and the songs of magpies that give the property its name. [^109^] Seven varieties are grown organically on site — Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Semillon — and the wines are handcrafted in small batches, available exclusively at the cellar door. [^111^] The property is also home to Avril Thomas's fine art gallery, where her Archibald Prize-finalist works hang alongside the wine. This is not just a winery; it is a creative kingdom, hidden in the hills, waiting to be discovered.
A Creative Kingdom in the Hills
Magpie Springs began in the early 2000s when Avril Thomas and Steve set out to create something different — a place where wine, art, and nature could coexist in harmony. Avril, a South Australian artist whose work has been a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize and held in corporate and private collections across Australia, Hong Kong, and the USA, brought the creative vision. [^113^] Steve brought the practical know-how. Together, they planted a vineyard on the slopes of Willunga Hill, built a rustic cellar door, and established an art gallery that would become the heart of the property.
The name came from the magpies — those quintessentially Australian birds whose songs echo across the hills each morning. "The name itself is charmingly Australian, inspired by the native magpies that often sing across the hills surrounding the vineyard," one profile noted. [^109^] The property also has a natural spring, which provides water for the vineyard and adds to the sense of place. "The water source for the vineyard is a natural spring on the property (yes, there really is a spring at Magpie Springs)." [^109^]
Over the years, Magpie Springs has grown from a humble vineyard into a well-regarded name in the region. Though small in scale, it punches above its weight through dedication to quality, hands-on vineyard care, and a commitment to crafting unique wines that express the character of their land. [^109^] The cellar door opened to the public, and the art gallery began hosting exhibitions, workshops, and events. Today, it is a destination — a place where visitors come for the wine, stay for the art, and leave with a sense of having discovered something secret and special.
"It's like walking into someone's hidden creative kingdom – with excellent wine."
— Visitor review
High Elevation, Cool Climate & Organic Care
Magpie Springs sits at 310 metres above sea level on Willunga Hill — high enough to be classified within the Adelaide Hills Wine Region, but with a maritime influence from the nearby Gulf St Vincent that gives it a unique microclimate. [^109^] The elevation, combined with sandy soils and reliable sea breezes, creates the perfect environment for slow ripening. This leads to rich, well-balanced wines with plenty of flavour and natural acidity — wines that are distinctly different from the warmer, lower-elevation wines of nearby McLaren Vale. [^109^]
The vineyard is planted to seven varieties: Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Semillon. [^111^] Thanks to the cooler temperatures at this elevation, Magpie Springs is one of the few sites in the region capable of growing Pinot Noir successfully — quite a feat in this warm part of South Australia. [^109^] The vines are organically nurtured — while not fully certified organic, the vineyard practices low-intervention farming, aiming to reduce chemical usage and support the natural health of the vines and soil. [^109^] Hand-harvesting and minimal machinery help protect the fruit and the environment.
The property is surrounded by ancient gums, native birds, and wildlife — kangaroos, echidnas, kookaburras, and blue wrens are all regular visitors. [^111^] The gardens are sprawling and natural, with dams, rustic buildings, and a sense of being immersed in the Australian bush. This is not a manicured, corporate winery; it is a working farm with authentic character, where the boundaries between vineyard, garden, and bushland blur. The harvest typically occurs between March and April, when the vines come alive with colour and activity — a fascinating time to visit. [^111^]
The southernmost cellar door in the Adelaide Hills Wine Region. [^110^] Sandy soils, reliable sea breezes from the Gulf St Vincent, and a significant elevation difference from the McLaren Vale floor create a cool-climate microclimate perfect for slow ripening. The result is wines with natural acidity, complex flavours, and a freshness that belies the region's warmth.
Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Semillon. [^111^] The cool climate suits Pinot Noir particularly well — Magpie Springs is thought to be the only vineyard in McLaren Vale growing Pinot Noir successfully due to its high elevation. [^109^] Each variety is tended by hand and harvested at optimal ripeness.
Organically nurtured vines with low-intervention farming practices. [^110^] No synthetic pesticides or herbicides where possible. Hand-harvesting, minimal machinery, and a focus on soil health and biodiversity. The vineyard uses solar power and natural water conservation methods. [^109^] A commitment to working in harmony with the land.
The property's water source is a natural spring — the "Springs" in Magpie Springs. [^109^] This provides water for the vineyard and adds to the sense of place and abundance. The spring, the gums, the magpies, and the wildlife all contribute to an ecosystem that is healthy, balanced, and deeply connected to the land.
Artisan, Small Batch, Estate Grown
Magpie Springs' winemaking philosophy is simple: let the fruit speak for itself. "The winery's philosophy is to let the fruit speak for itself, using minimal intervention and traditional techniques," one profile explained. [^109^] Grapes are hand-picked, carefully sorted, and fermented in small open fermenters. Red wines may be aged in French oak barrels for extended periods to develop complexity, while whites are often fermented in stainless steel to preserve freshness. [^109^] The approach is hands-on and artistic — no big machines or towering tanks. The team experiments with different yeast strains and blending trials with each vintage, resulting in a line-up of wines that may differ slightly year to year, but always offer something thoughtful and enjoyable. [^109^]
The wines are made exclusively from estate-grown grapes — "all our wines are made from the grapes grown onsite on our vineyard." [^111^] This is not a negotiant operation buying fruit from elsewhere; it is a true estate winery, where every bottle reflects the specific character of the Willunga Hill site. The small production runs — typically just a few hundred cases per variety — allow for close attention to detail and a personal connection to every part of the process. [^109^] The wines are only available at the cellar door or through the online shop — they are not distributed through conventional retail channels, ensuring that the experience of drinking Magpie Springs wine remains connected to the place where it was made.
The artistic approach extends beyond the wine to the entire experience. Avril Thomas's fine art gallery is integrated into the cellar door, with her original paintings, drawings, and sculptures on display alongside the wine. [^113^] Regular exhibitions, paint-and-sip classes, and Plein Air Thursdays (days reserved exclusively for artists to work on the property) make Magpie Springs a hub for creative activity. [^113^] The wine labels themselves are works of art, and the overall aesthetic — rustic, eclectic, and deeply personal — reflects Avril's creative vision. This is wine as art, and art as wine.
The Archibald Connection
Avril Thomas is not just a winery owner; she is an accomplished artist whose work has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize — Australia's most prestigious portrait competition. Her paintings and drawings focus on portraiture, figurative, and landscape painting in a tonal realism style, and her works are held in corporate and private collections across Australia, Hong Kong, and the USA. [^113^] At Magpie Springs, visitors can view her original works exclusively — there is no other gallery where her art is displayed. The combination of fine art and fine wine creates an experience that is rare in the Australian wine scene: a place where creativity is not an afterthought, but the driving force. Whether you are tasting a Pinot Noir while contemplating a portrait, or sipping Shiraz surrounded by sculptures, Magpie Springs offers a synthesis of sensory pleasures that is uniquely its own.
Hidden, Eclectic, Wildly Welcoming
Magpie Springs occupies a unique space in the Australian wine landscape. It is not a corporate winery, not a natural wine darling, not a trophy-chasing operation. It is something rarer: a genuine, family-run creative enterprise where wine and art are made with equal passion and skill. The property is hidden — tucked away at 1870 Brookman Road, down a quiet road surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards. [^113^] Visitors often describe it as a "hidden gem," a place they stumbled upon and never forgot. "You will not find a more welcoming winery," one Yelp reviewer wrote. "Such a hidden gem in the Willunga Hills. Avril and Steve are wonderful, the wine and coffee is great and the..." [^117^]
The identity is eclectic — part winery, part art gallery, part garden, part wildlife sanctuary. The cellar door is rustic and character-filled, with no pretension or wine snobbery. [^109^] The art gallery showcases Avril's original works alongside exhibitions by other artists. The gardens are sprawling and natural, perfect for picnics, weddings, or simply sitting with a glass of wine and watching the magpies. The property is dog-friendly, with a rescue dog who greets visitors and occasionally gets overwhelmed by groups. [^111^] This is not a polished, corporate experience; it is a real, lived-in place with personality, quirks, and heart.
The wines reflect this identity. They are not trying to be Penfolds Grange or a trendy pét-nat. They are honest, handcrafted expressions of the Willunga Hill site — sometimes surprising, always enjoyable, and consistently well-made. The Pinot Noir is the standout — elegant and complex, with soft red fruit and earthy spice — but the Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Riesling all have their devotees. [^109^] The fact that the wines are only available onsite adds to the sense of discovery: you cannot buy Magpie Springs at your local bottle shop. You have to go there, experience the place, meet Avril and Steve, and taste the wine in the context for which it was made. This is wine as destination, not commodity.
"You will not find a more welcoming winery. Such a hidden gem in the Willunga Hills."
— Yelp review
The Magpie Springs Range
Magpie Springs produces a select range of small-batch, estate-grown wines each year. The portfolio spans seven varieties — Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Semillon — all crafted from organically nurtured vines and available exclusively at the cellar door or through the online shop. [^111^] The wines are made with minimal intervention, hand-picked, and fermented in small batches. Each vintage is unique, offering returning guests something new every time. [^111^] All bottles are priced at $28, making these handcrafted wines accessible as well as delicious. [^111^]