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After nearly a decade building something special in Aldinga, Big Easy Radio stepping into the version of itself it’s been growing towards all along. The shift to a larger McLaren Vale property feels less like a departure, more like a moment of arrival, by a brand that now knows exactly who it is.
This is a bold, yet organic move that Brand Proprietor and Winemaker Matt Head says “justifies all the hard work [they’ve] done.”
The new cellar door officially opens on Thursday 5 February, operating from an original 1875 stone cottage, complete with lawns and garden spaces designed for relaxed tastings and by-the-glass pours. It’s a setting that feels unmistakably McLaren Vale, but the offering is deliberately distinct. “We’re not traditional in anything we do, in our packaging, our language, and that’s what sets us apart,” Matt says.
Set across 30 acres of gardens, vineyards and century-old olive trees, the move gives the much-loved wine and music brand the space to do what it’s been building towards for years: slowing things down, lifting the experience, and creating an atmosphere that Matt describes as “very much relaxed, embracing the coastal lifestyle of the region.”
For Matt, the move marks a quietly confident growth for the brand. It’s something the team has embraced. “We’ve got a lot of faith,” Matt says.
After almost a decade refining the Big Easy Radio identity, and more than 25 years in the wine industry, the new site reflects what the brand has grown into.
“It feels like a more grown-up version of what we were doing before,” Matt says. “It’s a maturation of the brand. Ten years in, this move just made sense.”
Music, of course, isn’t going anywhere. The Malpas Road venue has already hosted its first sold-out ticketed event (ahead of the grand opening), welcoming original Daddy Cool frontman Ross Wilson to christen the new space. Future programming will continue Big Easy Radio’s commitment to hosting only original artists, rather than cover bands. It’s a philosophy that’s been met with respect and likely has a hand in the venue’s multiple nods at the SA Music Awards over the years.
The extra scale and credibility of the new property opens the door to larger shows and touring acts, while still keeping the intimate, artist-first atmosphere long-time patrons expect.
While many people know the name for its live music repertoire, Matt is keen to remind visitors that wine remains at the heart of what they do. That aspect, of course, can get overlooked when you’re hosting so much incredible music, but it truly gives this venue a one-two punch.
After ten years of steady growth, Big Easy Radio’s new McLaren Vale home doesn’t shout for attention, it just feels right.
Big Easy Radio
Where: 90 Malpas Rd, McLaren Vale
When: Thursday – Sunday 11am – 5pm
For more info, click here.
