Inkwell Wines - Tatachilla, South Australia

Winnie T.

We had such a wonderful and educational time at Inkwell - listening to the owner Dudley talk about their regen agriculture philosophy, the challenges about climate change and tasting great wines that have fun titles inspired by music 🙂

Daisy is such a dear doggy… indeed the Inkwell mascot!

Thank you for having us. We really enjoyed the experience and am glad we got the rieslings bottles to go!

Celia G.

Great wine tasting experience! Beautiful architecture in the shipping container building. Great views, lovely artworks, nice painting, cute dog and yummy wines. $15 tastings, wonderful service. Recommend!

Spiro

We absolutely loved Inkwell Wines. On arrival we were welcomed by Daisy the family dog and Teresa who ended up being our wonderful host. We were also extremely lucky to have met Dudley the wine maker and owner of this beautiful cellar door who was nice enough to give us his time to tell us about the wines they produce and how Inkwell Wines cellar door was created. Do yourself a huge favour and visit Inkwell Wines there views were breathtaking and there wines were delicious. 12 out of 10 . Also they also have accommodation available on site they rooms look amazing.

Luke T.

Unbelievable stay! We absolutely loved every minute. Very good staff, so laid back and easy going, suite 3 we stayed in has views you would never get bored of. The wine itself is bloody amazing and also very central location to other places. We will definitely be back that's for sure. Thanks again Inkwell.

Peter B.

Had a great tasting here with our host Jacob, who talked us through a generous tasting of really great wines.
The cellar door itself is stunning with beautiful outlooks over the vineyards.
Wines were interesting and textural which we really enjoyed.

Luke A.

As a business owner myself I rarely if ever leave negative reviews as I believe negative feedback privately conveyed can be used as an opportunity to grow and improve as a business, however the horrific treatment by the owner (Irina) of our mutual customer deserves a public review and warning as this was one of the most horrendous treatments of a customer let alone a bride on her wedding day, that I have ever witnessed and is in my opinion - unconscionable.

I was the photographer meeting and covering a bride getting ready on her wedding day at the accomodation at Inkwell Wines. On my arrival the owner (Irina) was explaining to the bride and her cohort (3 bridesmaids and her son) that only 2 people MAX are allowed in the accomodation rooms at any given time and the group would not all be allowed into the accomodation at the same time. The owner appeared upset and heightened and continually mentioned that the rules had been explained many times in their communications.

The bride, in her confusion, attempted to resolve what was occurring as she had missed or misinterpreted the rules of the 2 person max and was prepared to get changed into her wedding gown in the public restroom of the cellar door so that she could have her experience of getting ready on her wedding day with more than just 1 other person present.

In the confusion we convinced the bride she should still get ready in her room as we couldn't be present to photograph and video the experience anyway. So the bride and 2 bridesmaids went to store the items they were carrying in the room and proceeded down the stairs to access the accomodation. The owner went after them, berating them from the hallway as 3 people were about to enter the room and again, only 2 MAX persons are allowed.

I being the photographer - attempted to clarify the rules with the owner - she directly and assertively told me "you aren't allowed down there, you're not going down, I'm not dealing with you" and she promptly walked away.

With the assistance of the other bridesmaids who also wanted to seek clarity, we further tried to reason with the owner and gauge the rules on where we could go and could not go. The owner explained to us that we could use the outside area in front of the cellar door. Which is a gravel carpark with numerous "no trespassing signs", chained off vines and other prohibitive signage. The owner went on to explain that brown snakes had been seen in the vicinity in recent times and that we were not allowed to be anywhere it might be hot. The day was a 30+ degree day and the area we were directed to, again, was a hot gravel driveway.

When the bride was ready, we were luckily able to use the shade of a single tree, with a vineyard background which was not obstructed by signage.

Further family arrived to have pre-wedding group photos with the bride, each reporting that they had their own individual negative experiences with the owner.

The entire group reported feeling very uncomfortable and un-welcomed in the space and discussed leaving early to use an alternate location to hold photos which should have been a wonderful positive experience for everyone and instead was marred by the negativity of the owner.

I travel, stay and work in accomodation very regularly, this is the first time in a decade of photographing weddings that I've come across an accomodation which does not allow more than 2 people at a time in their rooms and would treat their customers in such a fashion when the miss-communication had been realised.

Overall this situation could have been approached in a far better way. The owner showed no compassion or empathy for the situation and offered no positive alternatives - her demeanour was dismissive and mean throughout the experience.

As a McLaren Vale local I am so glad there are a plethora of alternative places to stay and try fabulous wine and be treated and welcomed like valued customers.

Peter P.

Teresa has been the most incredible host in McLaren Vale. Would definitely recommend coming back 🙂 Make sure you try the "piece of my heart" grenache.
What a lovely afternoon

Dance F. A. C.

It has been five months since we left Inkwell, but there isn't a single month that has gone by without me thinking about it and reminiscing the warm welcome we had from dear Theresa and Dr. Irina.
It was the perfect relaxation I really needed from everything that was happening. My husband gave me this amazing Birthday Surprise stay at Inkwell, Suite 3, UNFORGETTABLE! Just pure bliss! We loved the skinsy range they had. It sure was one of a kind, a well deserved award! Congratulations! I absolutely loved it! Thank you to my darling husband and certainly all at Inkwell, including dear Daisy.