d’Arenberg vineyard, McLaren Vale, South Australia

The d’Arenberg winery is astonishing.

You begin by being completely knocked out by the d’Arenberg Cube, the brainchild of Chester Osborn in 2003.  Inspired by the complexities and puzzles of winemaking, Chester created the idea of a cube-shaped building.

Each of the five levels have been carefully designed to entice and excite the senses.

First, you fall immediately into a modern art museum.  As if that wasn’t enough, the toilettes on the next floor are another modern art creation (see photo of urinal!).

For arties like me, the next floor is stunning.  It is a surrealist art exhibition, featuring 25 authentic Salvador Dali bronze sculptures and graphic artworks.

Next floor up is the Singapore Circus, a melting pot of South-East Asian inspired cuisine.  Naturally, I extended my stay to partake in lunch.

After all of that, it was a bit hard to concentrate on the wine.  But it was delicious.  The kind lady serving me, even offered me two very interesting ports as a free supplement.

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