Down the Rabbit Hole - Fiore Restaurant

It didn't take us long to visit the Down the Rabbit Hole cellar door when they first opened, with lots of media coverage (given their unusual and very photogenic cellar door) promoting it as a must-see location in McLaren Vale.

And just like as it was described, it was (and still is) absolutely stunning. Large river redgums as the back-drop, the duck-egg blue double decker bus as one of the cellar door options – all looked absolutely stylish and adorable. But to be honest, we also felt a bit out of place – a very young audience (and staff members), all dressed alike in bohemian style – yet it lacked in substance and was more about the styling than the wines. 

We do however take our mission of knowing McLaren Vale and its wineries and restaurants inside out, to be able to share local knowledge with our guests seriously (I know, it is a tough job), and of course have returned multiple times, to learn and see how the Down the Rabbit Hole experience is evolving. 

And they certainly have changed dramatically. Good vibes and style are still very important but so is a welcoming atmosphere for all, a seriousness about their wines and most recently also a considerable investment in their food offering with the Fiore restaurant.

There is the daily casual dining (house made Italian pizzas, arancini and insalata) to be enjoyed on the lawns or during the colder months in the winter garden marquee – but, what stands out for us, is the structured dining experiences in the Fiore restaurant. 

Truly delightful Italian fare served as degustation menu. Whether it is the extensive “Mangiamo” (meaning simply: let’s eat) lunch menu or the shorter Friday night “Nonna’s Table” set menu – they are promising you that you won’t leave hungry and are certainly correct about that. 

There is an abundance of food coming to your table, each dish we have had not only absolutely mouthwatering and delicious, but also stunning to look at -- style wise, perfectly in sync with the overall presentation of the cellar door and restaurant. 

And their staff now is very knowledgeable about their food and wines, friendly and caring -  we have no longer felt out of place, but truly welcomed and are looking forward already to our next visit.