The Barossa Valley is the most well known wine region in Australia – known for it’s Shiraz – is located an hour north of Adelaide, South Australia. The region is so well known, trusted and respected for it’s Shiraz due to it’s climate as it’s perfect for the Shiraz grape – it’s hard to find a terrible Shiraz here! But aside from that, it’s an amazing region to visit for not only wine, but food and accomodation too.
In this post, I’m going to focus on my favourite wineries & eateries, including some favourites and some “out of the box” but still great picks.
Wineries
ROCKFORD’S
131 Krondorf Road, Tanunda SA 5352
Rockford is one of the oldest wineries in the Barossa and is most well known for their Basket Press Shiraz. However, I also love their Moppa Springs – Grenache Mataro Shiraz. I visited during Vintage and so was able to see some grapes in traditional holding barrels ready to be crushed and some of the other stages of the process, which was pretty awesome! Best to visit during the week as it gets very busy over the weekend and you may get moved to an “overflow” room, which really doesn’t have the same charm.
Open 11am-5pm
BETHANY
378 Bethany Road, Tanunda SA 5352
Having been around for 150 years, Bethany is not only known for their wine, but also for it’s views! Simply head out of the cellar door to the left and up to the lookout stairs. The views are spectacular – best viewed in winter when the vines are green! Like most wineries, they have an estate and reserve selection. They are better known for their whites, but I really enjoyed their Cabernet Merlot.
Open 10am-5pm
ST. HALLETT
St. Hallett Road, Tanunda SA 5352
St. Hallet originally began their Barossa story in the mid-1900s producing fortifieds. Their focus quickly switched towards non-fortifieds and they produced their first Old Block Shiraz in the 80s. St. Hallett’s is more renowned for their red wines, but their whites should not be overlooked! My favourite is their Touriga Nacional – it’s something a little different and out of the norm for a shiraz dominated region.
Open 10am – 5pm
SEPPELTSFIELD
730 Seppeltsfield Road, Seppeltsfield SA 5355
The Seppelts family first settled in the area in 1850s and as the family range grew, so did their fortified range. Nowadays, the winery is now a part of a much bigger estate. In addition to the cellar door, they also have Fino (restaurant), Jam Factory (Crafts and Design) and Vasse Virgin (Olive oil products). Their fortifieds are their crown jewel, however, and is what makes the famous, but they also have a “village” range of wines available- my favourite being their Grenache as it’s quite fruity due to formally being part of their Port variety.
One aspect that Seppeltsfield do really well is their tours and experiences, most of which revolve around tasting an aged Tawny from their VIP cellar. You can choose to try the Tawny from your birth year, a special year such as an anniversary, or the 100 year old! Wondering through the Tawny cellar is something special as they have a barrel of Tawny from every year since 1878! It is the longest unbroken chain of consecutive years in the world. Bookings are essential!
Open 10:30am – 5pm.
TURKEY FLAT VINEYARDS
67 Bethany Road, Tanunda SA 5352
For most South Australian, they would know Turkey Flat best for their Rose. They are well known for their Rose being fruity, but a much more dryer style. Their Grenache has won worldwide awards and it not to be missed as well. Their grounds are also lovely to just have a wander around – just be careful if you head into the vines – they’re very precious and you don’t want to risk anything happening to them at all!
Open 11am – 5pm
Charles Melton Wines
194 Krondorf Rd, Krondorf SA 535
Charles Melton Wines have been around since the mid-80s and since then, they’re crown jewel has been their Rose. Every vintage, it is of the highest variety, however, they are very conscious to have a difference between each vintage, so this is definitely a key point as to why people continue to come back to them to see how the current year varies. They are also becoming more known for their GSM – Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre – the Nine Popes. The actual cellar door is very relaxed – you sit down at a long wooden table and the cellar door hands sit down with you and talk you through all the wines you’re trying. You can also take a coffee outside to sit in the sun on the grass.
Open 11am – 5pm
Elderton Wines
3 Tanunda Road, Nuriootpa 5355
Elderton’s cellar door is quite a new addition to the Barossa. It was officially opened mid-June to much excitement as it has the style of an old country house. There are a number of different areas to it to cater towards different needs – the bar area is quite relaxed, or there are comfy couches by the fire for winter and tables & chairs outside for those sunny days. The wines are very easy drinking – my favourites being their GSM and Merlot.
EAT
Bar Louise @ Appellation
Corner Seppeltsfield and Stonewell Roads, Marananga SA 5352
Whilst I’ve never been to Appellation, the restaurant located at The Louise, I have been to the Bar at Appellation quite a few times as they are well known for their burgers and doughtnuts. My favourite is without a doubt, the Crispy Pork Belly burger – it has Asian pickles and Sriracha Mayo and has such a good flavour to it! However, the absolute not-miss is their doughnuts. Now, these are not your typical “round-with-a-hole” doughnuts. No, these are like little puffy clouds, served with home made Jam (flavour varies on the season) and thick Jersey cream. I go there just for the doughnuts sometimes! The cocktails also change regularly, and are a good starter.
Open 4pm – Late
Fleur Social
55C Murray Street, Nuriootpa SA 5355
In the mood for a good coffee and a quick bite to eat for breakfast before hitting the wineries? Fleur Social is perfect for that – they do amazing coffee, which is well known through the Valley. Not to mention, their bagels are some of the best I’ve had in Australia!! You can pick the type of bagel you want, then choose your fillings. I had bacon and cream cheese as that’s what I used to have in the states all the time. And what makes it even more neat is that one half of the space is the cafe, the other half is a florist, so it’s always looking gorgeous!
Open 6:30am – 4:30pm M-F 9am – 1pm Sa & Su
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you been to the Barossa Valley before? What is your favourite winery or hang out?
Great post!