Terroir Summary
McLaren Vale is one of Australia’s most geographically diverse wine regions, bounded by the Mount Lofty Ranges to the east and Gulf St Vincent to the west. This combination of maritime influence, rolling topography and varied geology creates a patchwork of mesoclimates capable of supporting a remarkable range of grape varieties. Warm growing seasons deliver generous fruit concentration and flavour intensity, while afternoon sea breezes help moderate temperatures and preserve natural freshness. Serafino’s vineyards are spread across six estate sites throughout the region, including Sharktooth, Terremoto, Malpas Road, Communication Road, Little Road and Gian’s Block.
Heritage
The Serafino story began in 1964 when Steve Maglieri arrived from Italy as a teenager in search of opportunity. In 1966, with the support of his father Giovanni, he planted his first vines in McLaren Vale and began what would become a lifetime dedicated to viticulture and winemaking. Through hard work and determination, the family steadily expanded its vineyard holdings, establishing a reputation for quality fruit and entrepreneurial spirit. During the 1990s, Steve achieved national prominence through the extraordinary success of his Lambrusco-inspired wines, earning the nickname “Australia’s Lambrusco King”. At its peak, production exceeded four million bottles annually before the Maglieri brand was sold to Mildara Blass in 1998. Alongside this commercial success came numerous wine show accolades, including multiple McLaren Vale Bushing King titles and major international awards for Shiraz. Today, Serafino is 100% back in family hands, with second-generation leader Maria Maglieri continuing the vision established by her father while shaping the winery for a new era. The focus remains firmly on estate-grown fruit, regional expression and the blending of Italian heritage with contemporary McLaren Vale winemaking.
Philosophy
At its heart, Serafino is a family farming business. The philosophy begins in the vineyard, where estate ownership provides control over every stage of production, from pruning and canopy management through to harvest decisions. The family’s long-standing connection to McLaren Vale has reinforced a belief that wine quality is determined first by site and vineyard management rather than cellar manipulation. While classic McLaren Vale varieties remain fundamental to the range, Serafino has also become a pioneer for Italian varieties in the region. Inspired by the Maglieri family’s heritage and the natural compatibility between McLaren Vale’s Mediterranean climate and southern European grapes, the winery has helped champion varieties such as Fiano, Primitivo, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo.
People
Serafino was founded by Serafino “Steve” Maglieri, whose arrival from Italy in 1964 marked the beginning of one of McLaren Vale’s great family wine stories. More than sixty years later, Steve remains actively involved in the business, regularly welcoming guests, monitoring the vineyards and participating in winery activities. Today, the winery is led by Maria Maglieri, who has overseen the continued evolution of the family business while preserving its strong Italian identity. Alongside Maria, Diana Maglieri remains an important part of the next generation helping steer the winery into the future. Together they have expanded the estate’s reputation for alternative Mediterranean varieties while strengthening its position as one of McLaren Vale’s leading tourism and hospitality destinations. The winemaking team is led by Brett Smith, supported by Gian Cogno-Maglieri.
Beyond the Vine
Serafino has evolved into one of McLaren Vale’s most complete wine tourism destinations. Situated around the picturesque Lake Serafino and surrounded by vineyards and ancient gum trees, the estate encompasses an award-winning cellar door, restaurant, conference centre, accommodation precinct and event facilities. The property has become particularly renowned as a venue for weddings and major functions, including grand scale festivals and concerts on the lawns.
