Overview
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So, you like wine? You love it? Well my friends, allow me to introduce you to one of the best wine regions in Australia: the Barossa Valley. Situated almost 60km northeast of Adelaide, the Barossa has the oldest Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre and Cabernet vineyards in the world. The area is most commonly associated with its signature grape variety: Shiraz. However, the region does grow a number of other grape varieties, so if you're a fan of Riesling, Semillon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Mourvedre, Mataro, Cabernet and even Merlot then you'll be wanting to book a getaway quick smart.
So you can get your bearings, the main towns on the valley floor are Nuriootpa, Tanunda, Rowland Flat and Lyndoch. Nuriootpa is the larger of the four towns and seen as the commercial hub of the area, while Tanunda and Angaston have more attractions to cater for fans of sweet little antique stores — but more importantly wine bars, cellar doors and buzzing cafes.
BAROSSA EATS
Make sure you get yourself a full belly of food before you embark on any tasting tour of the region. Not only is the Barossa famous for its wines, it also prides itself on local produce with some of the best restaurants in the country. For something quaint, why not visit Maggie Beer's Farm Shop? It's the very place her ABC TV series, The Cook and The Chef is filmed. After you've taken an 'I'm on a TV set selfie' you can top up your shopping cart with some MB products and be on your way. FermentAsian is an incredibly reputable Vietnamese restaurant you can't pass by having recently won the Best Asian Restaurant in South Australia. Also worth noting is Hentley Farm Restaurant, where the team will pair their wines with nosh for you, and Appellation at The Louise for some world class dining reflecting the local growing seasons.
Be sure to check out the Barossa Farmers Market in Angaston. Open every Saturday from 7:30–11:30am, this bustling market has a plethora of goodies from fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and small goods to oils, pickles, preserves, condiments, baked goods and delicious macaroons. You're spoilt for choice.
BAROSSA SLEEPS
Before you crack in to the wines you'll need a place to sleep off all this indulgence. Some of the wineries have accommodation on site but if you want a hotel, one of my top picks around is the Novotel Barossa Valley. If it's luxury you're after then look no further than The Louise, set upon an original heritage property atop the stunning Marananga hill top site. This place is pure indulgence.
Top picks for B&Bs include The Lodge or the incredibly romantic 'Cupids Cottages' (which will earn you huge brownie points) sitting with a view of your very own lake at Stonewell Cottages. Check out lastminute.com.au for some pretty sweet deals.
BAROSSA QUAFFS
Now my friends, it's time to quaff! By visiting the Barossa website you can either plan your own trip with their online Trip Planner or book a wine tour with Taste The Barossa. For something different, you can also book bikes to 'taste by bike' from Barossa Bike Hire.
They can either deliver your bike to your accommodation or you can pick it up from Nuriootpa. If you're feeling fit, take a detour up to the Barossa Sculpture Park by following Basedow Road to the Menglers Hill Lookout and you'll enjoy some amazing sculptures carved from local marble and granite, backdropped by a stunning view of the valley. With more than 80 cellar doors and 150 wineries in the Barossa, you could say the world is your wine glass. Check out my Top 20 below, in no particular order.
Concrete Playground's Top 20 Barossa Valley Cellar Doors and Wineries:
Artisans of Barossa
Kind of like The Avengers of wine. John Duval (famed winemaker of Penfolds Grange) has teamed up with six other individual winemakers to keep small batch winemaking alive and well. Try what all seven wine makers have to offer in their tasting room.
Henschke
Famous for its 'Hill of Grace' Shiraz, this winery has a great range of premium reds and whites on offer
Chateau Tanunda
This place is worth the visit just to see Australia's oldest chateau alone. It's like being on the set of The Great Gatsby. Top wines too; the Noble Baron range is handpicked, basket-pressed and unfiltered.
Seppeltsfield
Superbly scenic. Well known for their Centennial Collection, which is an "unbroken lineage of Tawny of every vintage from 1878 to current year".
Peter Lehman
Big reds and a true five-star winery.
Chateau Yaldara
Another beautiful chateau worth checking out. Taste McGuigans Wines and perhaps grab a light meal at Café Y if you're peckish.
Bethany
Killer Rieslings. Great reds and food wines. Also get on board their delicious stickies and fortifieds.
Pindarie
These guys do a lovely range of wines including varietals like Tempranillo and Sangiovese.
Penfolds
This isn't the actual winery but a cellar door where you can purchase their Taste of Grange package or make-your-own blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre.
Wolf Blass
If you haven't heard of these guys you've somehow been living in a sealed-off cave. Wolf Blass have a massive range. Why not cleanse your palette and enjoy some of their lovely sparkling?
Two Hands
Their focus is primarily Shiraz but their Grenache also is exceptional.
St Hallet
Sensational reds. Get stuck in to their Shiraz, Shiraz Grenache or their big and dense Mataro. They also have a Christmas favourite, the Sparkling Shiraz. For white fans try their moscato style Gewürztraminer. It's like drinking lychee juice with bubbles.
Saltrams
Award winning reds and whites. A lovely tasting bar and restaurant onsite makes this place a definite go-er.
Elderton
The first red I ever let sit for over ten years was an Elderton Shiraz and it was incredible when I eventually opened it up, drank it and cheekily slopped a little in to my pasta sauce as it cooked. They produce some of the most highly regarded reds in Australia.
Glaetzer
The team do four reds and focus "simply on the production of small volume, super premium red wines."
Mountadam
One of Australia's pioneer Chardonnay producers.
Kies Family Wines
An 1880s-styled cottage cellar door with a chilled-out vibe and quality wines.
Irvine Estate
Jim Irvine loves Merlot. He also loves interesting wines like his Cabernet Franc called The Baroness or his Zinfandel red, which is not as big and bold as some. But you can't go past his Grand Merlot.
Whistler
I love their reds and their red blends. Their Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre blend is one I could happily slurp every day.
Grant Burge
Hot tip: Buy yourself some of the Holy Trinity GSM to drink while you wait for their Filsell Shiraz or the Meshach Shiraz you also bought ages to perfection.
Enjoy!
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