One of Australia’s and the world’s favorite wine regions, this area northeast of Adelaide has over 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors.
Plan a relaxing visit to Barossa for a celebration of the senses. While the region’s wineries feature more than 40 varietals, Barossa shiraz is the king, with vines for the bold red wine covering more than half of the valley’s vineyard acreage.
Drive to Lyndoch, with one of the region’s oldest wineries, Jacob’s Creek Vineyards, where Johann Gramp planted vines in 1847. Compare the winery’s sumptuous reds to those from another early winemaker, Hermann Thumm, at Château Yaldara and Barossa Château. Here you can also have high tea, wander through the founder’s art gallery and smell 30,000 roses.
Follow the North Para River to Tanunda. Stop at the huge 130-year-old Château Tanunda for tours, tastings or a game of croquet on the lawn. Visit Rockford Winery, Langmeil Winery or Peter Lehmann Wines for more delicious sips or indulge in mouth-watering sweet treats at Barossa Valley Chocolate Companyor craft beer at Barossa Valley Brewing. Include a tour of the Barossa Museum to learn about early German immigrants who established the region’s winemaking industry.
Nuriootpa has one of the region’s most famous vintages, the Grange, at Penfolds Barossa Valley Cellar Door. Nearby, choose from a wide variety of tastings and tours at Elderton Wines.
Angaston’s early winemaking entry is Yalumba Family Winemakers, established in 1849. Sample wines, see barrels made by hand at the cooperage and visit the town’s 140-year-old blacksmith shop. Regional food and craft artisans come together each Saturday at the very popular Barossa Farmers Market.
Reach Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley in less than a 1-hour drive from Adelaide for a daytrip exploration of one of the towns. Alternatively, arrange local accommodations and spend a day in each area for food, history and, of course, wine.
Get some exercise by biking 25 miles (40 kilometers) on the Barossa Trail between Gawler and Angaston. The Epicurean Way Road Trip suggests stops throughout the valley for foodie delights of cheeses, baked goods, sausages and fresh produce.