This includes offering wine tourism experiences that allow visitors to interact with local First Nations peoples and build a deeper understanding of First Nations cultures.
At Gemtree Wines in McLaren Vale, the Wuldi Cultural Experience is a unique tour combining the ancient stories of the Ngarrindjeri people, a strong connection to nature and sustainable wine production into an educational cultural immersion.
The tour traverses the Gemtree Eco Trail, a stunning one-kilometre walking track through tall gum trees, surrounded by native animals, birds and plants.
During the tour, Ngarrindjeri elder Mark Koolmatrie shares the stories of his culture and discusses the importance of caring for the land, waters and ecosystem. Visitors make a deep connection with the land and view the environment around them in a new light.
At the end of the Eco Trail, visitors witness a smoking ceremony and enjoy a bush food plate featuring native ingredients grown onsite alongside a flight of certified organic and biodynamic wines.
Visitors are encouraged to book the Wuldi Cultural Experience in advance as places are limited.
Gemtree Wines has earned worldwide recognition for its efforts to preserve and improve the land for future generations, winning a Global Best Of Wine Tourism Award in the Sustainable Wine Practices category in 2020.
South Australia is also proudly home to Munda Wines, one of Australia’s first Indigenous-owned wine brands.
Founded by Wirangu/Kokatha man Paul Vandenbergh, Munda Wines seeks to create opportunities for First Nations people to train, study and work in the wine sector.
Interestingly, Munda Wines believes the Australia’s First Nations people were the first culture to create an alcoholic beverage through a light cider-like beverage made from the sap of the eucalyptus tree, which fermented using natural yeasts. These trees were nicknamed ‘cider gums’ by early European settlers.
Gemtree Wines – McLaren Vale
167 Elliott Road
McLaren Flat SA 5171