BAROSSA VALLEY
Driving from Adelaide toward Tanunda, I expected to slowly roll toward a sparse Kingdom of grandiosity and snobbery, huge houses with sculpted lawns and cafe-goers drinking with their pinkies raised.
Far from it, the Barossa Valley is a region of scientific proficiency, not self-promotion. It’s reputation speaks for itself and has no need to lean on high-end superficiality.
Known for it’s big and bold Red wines and a key reason “Why The French Hate Us” (good book about the rise of Aussie wines globally) it is a cornerstone of the Australian wine market.
Here is the list of the wineries I visited, in what order (logistically sensible of course!) and my own thoughts.
Top Picks
All Rounders:
- Torbreck
- Hentley Farm
- Kaesler
For the Wine:
- John Duval (Artisans of Barossa)
- Charles Melton
- Rolf Binder
For the Cellar Door:
- St Hugo's
- David Franz
TorbreCk
Cellar Door
Beautifully designed building, high ceilings with raised ceilings to let light flood in, wood used in abundance for an earthy experience.
Wines
Big bold reds, primarily Shiraz with lots of flavour.
Service
Professional yet laid back, very calm.
Good For
Wine appreciators, interior
Favourite Drops
Shiraz (The Struie), Shiraz (RunRig)
The Little Things
My vote for best designed bottle in Aust, the neck is made of clear thick glass, parading the eloquent cork for soon-to-be drinkers.
HENTLEY FARM
Cellar Door
If you asked anyone to imagine their idyllic farm, it would look something like Hentley. It feels like a very polished horse stable, with a warm and inviting space for tastings and a larger area out back for lunch.
Wines
They strike the perfect balance between Barossa Bold without being overpowering. Their whites and sparkling are equally delightful.
Service
Bubbly and informative, able to accommodate groups of all sizes.
Good For
Lunch, groups, homely, service, events, corporate
Favourite Drops
Cabernet Sauvignon, but all were excellent
The Little Things
My vote for best value wine (Cab Sauv) in the region.
KAESLER
Cellar Door
Rustic sums it up best - an impressive stone building with sleek interior and lots of eye-catching trinkets throughout to keep the eye busy between sips.
Wines
A staple winery that really is a must visit, they understand both reds and whites and deserve their reputation.
Service
Authentic Barossian origin storytelling, from a true family operation.
Good For
Story, education, wine appreciators, intimate
Favourite Drops
Viognier (Love Child), GSM (Avignon)
DAVID FRANZ
Cellar Door
Enjoy a beautiful verandah while you watch the sun drop, or move inside for a cozy fireplace in the colder months.
Wines
Being completely honest, this was my last stop of the day which means I don’t recall the wines specifically, but this joint clearly left an impression on me!
Service
They were certainly patient and allowed us to enjoy our afternoon tiplers.
Good For
Outdoor drink, afternoon drink
ST HUGO's
Cellar Door
From the outside you feel small, upon entering you feel warm and inside a wealthy friend's holiday home. Comfy sofas are set around a large fireplace with plenty of light streaming in.
Wines
Renown for their high-end red wines.
Service
Here you purchase a flight of wines and drink at your own pace with accompanying tasting notes. There are more in-depth experiences you can book though which would be worth exploring.
Good For
Lunch/dinner, events, setting, interior, lounging, photos
CHARLES MELTON
Cellar Door
Here you are sat on comfy lowdown chairs at a large shared table, all within a very cozy farmhouse. Very much like visiting a friends house in the country and not a commercial operation.
Wines
Truly stunning reds, enjoyed with small snacks to cleanse the palate in between.
Service
An interactive experience - you’re sat around a large shared table, like Teppenyaki without food throwing, which opens the table to chat without being awkward.
Good For
Small-medium groups, intimate/homely, story, wine appreciators, service
Favourite Drops
GSM (Nine Popes), Shiraz (Father In Law Reserve)
The Little Things
Beautiful border collies running around your feet during tastings (not in an annoying way)
ROLF BINDER
Cellar Door
An open and spacious room for tasting with ample outdoor seating for afternoons. Lots of cool trinkets inside to peruse in between each glass..
Wines
Couldn’t fault any of the wines poured out - had the right balance of flavour and softness.
Service
Charming, engaging, conversational, we felt like the only people there.
Good For
Story, interior (trinkets), education, outdoor drink
Favourite Drops
Shiraz-Mataro (Bull’s Blood)
John Duval (Artisans of Barossa)
Cellar Door
This inviting and warm cellar door is a hive of activity. This is a wine bar vibe in Tanunda’s main strip, perfect for the end of the day (but lunch also meant to be good).
Wines
This is a showcase of the Barossa’s best with a focus on smaller boutiques. Quite a few of our favourite wines from the trip came out of our visit here.
Service
Given the at-bar seating, we received fabulously funny, anecdotal and cheeky service while we learned the back stories of the area’s Artisan winemakers
Good For
Service, story, learning, social, small-medium groups
Favourite Drops
Sons of Eden Cabernet Sauvignon (The Pumpa), Winton Road Shiraz (Old Vine Barossa)
Maggie Beer (lunch)
Maggie Beer is synonymous with the Barossa Valley and her grounds are a must-visit. It's a hive of activity to enjoy her trademark food. There are ducklings swimming in ponds and the Maggie Beer shop will keep anyone busy for the afternoon.