If you enjoy wine, I think you'll like visiting the Barossa Valley in South Australia. This world-renowned wine region is famous for Shiraz and other bold red wines. Some of the world’s oldest Shiraz vines can be found here. Barossa Valley’s warm dry climate is ideal for growing Shiraz that is full-bodied with ripe fruit but winemaking here is evolving so you can sample a range of styles.
TIPS
FYI: Wine tasting rooms are called "cellar doors" in Australia.
Getting there: Located about an hour’s drive northeast of Adelaide, wine tasting in Barossa Valley is an ideal day trip from Adelaide or a nice weekend getaway. Renting a car and driving from Adelaide is relatively easy and it’s a nice scenic drive. If you prefer the convenience of a tour, there are tour companies that depart from Adelaide and also several located in Barossa Valley to choose from.
The Barossa.com website has tons of helpful information about wineries, restaurants, accommodations, events. It’s a great resource for researching and planning your trip before you get there.
Your first stop when you arrive should be the Barossa Visitor Information Centre in Tanunda where you can get maps and info on wineries, or chat with knowledgeable staff.
WINERIES
Jacob’s Creek is a popular wine tourism destination. It has a long history in Barossa Valley and makes some very nice Shiraz. It’s a well run operation, offering a variety of experiences such as tours and classes for all levels of wine drinkers. The building is very airy and modern. You’ll want to allow time to explore all their offerings and stroll the pretty grounds. There are bean bags on the grass for lounging and admiring the vineyards. There’s also a restaurant onsite. I liked their Cool Harvest Shiraz Rose which was crisp and refreshing.
Penfolds is one of Australia’s oldest and iconic wineries. It produces high quality wines with high prices. Many of Penfolds’ wines have great aging potential and are favored by collectors. Its flagship wine is the “Grange” a blend of mostly Shiraz that costs about $800.
The cellar door has a commercial feel and is understandably crowded, given its reputation and fame. We had a tough time getting a spot at the counter to taste but it was a worthwhile wait. We sampled several excellent wines which were generally medium to full bodied with a lot of flavor.
For a more personal and pleasant experience, I would recommend booking a private tasting if possible or signing up for one of their experiences like a “taste of Grange” or “make your own blend” class.
Peter Lehmann Is a lovely winery in a peaceful setting: you’ll find flowers, gardens, and picnic tables. (It was a nice contrast after visiting the hectic and crowded Penfolds.) The tasting room felt cozy and unpretentious. We tasted a nice sparkling Shiraz. They have food platters available if you would like to have some cheese, meats, and breads with your wine. Take time to stroll the grounds afterward.
Seppeltsfield is one of the largest and oldest vineyards in Barossa Valley. It’s known for their fortified wines like port. The winery has a lot to see and do here so you’ll want to spend enough time to fully explore and enjoy everything. They offer many experiences in terms of tastings, tours and art. There is also a nice restaurant onsite called Fino.
The picturesque Seppeltsfield Road is lined with palm trees and has several other wineries, good restaurants, and nice accommodations if you plan to spend more than a day in Barossa Valley. Check out the Seppeltsfield Road website to explore options.
FOOD
Many of the wineries have restaurants onsite or offer light bites to go with your tastings, as noted above. There are also restaurants and cafes throughout the valley as well as shops and bakeries where you can get picnic items like bread and cheese.
Some suggestions:
Maggie Beer’s Farmshop - light lunch or buy products
Hentley Farm - also has wine tasting at cellar door
Appellation at The Louise - a fine dining restaurant
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO DO IN BAROSSA VALLEY
Check the Barossa.com website for more info on the following:
Take an early morning hot-air balloon ride
Helicopter tour of the Valley
Bike tour
Walk along the main streets in Tanunda and Nooriootpa
Visit Lyndoch Lavender Farm & Café
Take a cooking class
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