The unique marriage of a wine region and beach lifestyle has created a melting pot for all things culinary, vinous and artistic. McLaren Vale has a rich history and is widely recognised as one of Australia's greenest wine regions because of its ongoing water use efficiency strategies and commitment to environmental sustainability. There is substantial climatic variation throughout McLaren Vale, due to varying exposure to the cooling influence of the nearby ocean. Site selection and the matching of site to variety are all-important; Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Chardonnay all do very well in the appropriate location.