The Barossa Valley is synonymous with some of Australia’s best wines, especially if you favour a big bold Shiraz and other red varieties, but today it takes more than just a good name and reputation to attract people to cellar doors, especially with over 90 to choose from.

Wine lovers have so many options when it comes to wineries to visit, that those offering more than just great wines are rising to the top of the must visit list. Extras such as personal guided wine flights, beautiful vineyard views, regional food platters and snug cellar doors are what people are looking for, as well as those that offer the tasting fee redeemable off purchases.

The amount of time needed to visit the Barossa Valley is limitless really, but in 5 days you can get a taste of what the region is all about, and best of all, taxis are easily available so that everyone can indulge in a day of wine tastings and leave the driving to someone else.

A terrific place to stay and enjoy the Barossa, from its crisp frosty mornings until the cool starry nights is at the Discovery Park Barossa Valley in Tanunda. From there it’s an easy walk to the main street to discover all the town has to offer.

The caravan park has everything a family needs with a water park, pool, movie nights, bouncy pillow and more to keep the kids entertained, and a huge camp kitchen and fire pit for groups to use.

Take a look at some of the best food and wine experiences we found, as recommended by the locals and thoroughly enjoyed by us.

The Cellar Doors

The Willows Vineyard

A cosy tasting room in an old cottage with the glory vine covered pergola a riot of colour in autumn. The Winemaker, Jack Scholz, was named the Barossa winemaker of the year for 2023, with the Shiraz and Mataro varieties the ones to try and buy.

This winery is located at Light Pass, and the original cottage on the property was once Barossa’s first private hospital. Johann Scholz settled in the Barossa in 1845, and used his Prussian army skills as a bonesetter, to tend to local settlers, which continued for a number of generations until the old Willows hospital was closed in 1960. Today the old hospital is still a family residence owned by the Scholz family.

Gibson Wines

The winery was established in 1996 but there is over 50 years of winemaking and viticulture experience behind the winemaker Rob Gibson.

Also at the locality of Light Pass, the first noticeable building is the 1850s built Blacksmith’s Cottage made of mud and straw, with rows of vines in front of it. Next to it you can settle into the modern tasting room where Hugh can take you through a wine tasting and answer all your questions on the wines and the property.

Choose to visit on a ‘Sunday Funday’, and you can sit in the courtyard enjoying a wood fired pizza with your wines, or get involved in lawn games while listening to live music.

Atze’s Corner Wines

Isabelle hosted our tasting at this 2005 established winery which has a family history of over 100 years behind it. The Kalleske family settled in the region in 1847 and today Andy Kalleske is the winemaker at Atze’s Corner Wines.

What’s not to love above this destination! The winery is stunning inside and out, the platters divine and the wines are all winners. On top of that Atze’s have partnered with Eden Reforestation Projects to fund reforestation and poverty alleviation efforts worldwide.

Kalleske Wines

Located in the charming village of Greenock, Kalleske Wines has a range of wine tasting options to choose from and an extensive list of organic and biodynamic red and white and alternative wines to taste. Here you’ll be treated to an enthusiastic and entertaining guided wine tasting and they also have spectacular regional produce platters to enjoy.

David Franz

This cellar door in Tanunda is home to David Franz Lehmann wines (yes son of Peter Lehmann) and the tasting room is a cosy stone cottage with an outdoor area to spill out and enjoy the vineyard views under external heaters.

The vine to bottle process is highly valued here and service in the cellar door is also a feature. A range of local produce is available for a build your own platter and they also make a great coffee and chocolate brownie.

Still have time on your hands?

In the main street of Tanunda, Murray Street, there are two wine bars that are perfect for pre-dinner drinks and they are Brothers at War and Z wines. Both give you cosy corners to enjoy a wine and conversations with friends while watching the hustle and bustle go by in this Barossa town.

The Food

There is no shortage of places to dine in the Barossa where hearty, and extensive menus cater to all tastes. Being a region with a history of German settlers, there is a noticeable influence when it comes to food and this is definitely the place to try schnitzels and hearty pork dishes.

The venues we dined in not only serve up delicious food but they also more than impress with their décor and friendly service.

We can highly recommend the Stockwell Hotel, or the Stocky as it’s known to locals, open from Wednesdays through to Sundays, The Clubhouse in Tanunda, look for the incredible panoramic photo in the dining room, and the Tanunda Hotel, terrific for groups and excellent food.

The Event

As luck would have it, we were in the Barossa during Tasting Australia, the premier eating and drinking festival in South Australia. As well as events held in Adelaide, a few regional events took place and we were in the right time and place to experience ‘Chin Chin at Yalumba’.

Melbourne restaurant Chin Chin which specializes in South East Asian cuisine partnered with Yalumba wines in Angaston to present a relaxed festival on the lawns of the winery under a massive marquee.

Throughout the day a DJ provided funky beats which kept the crowd entertained and on their feet and the selection of small tasting plates, Yalumba wine and a complimentary glass to take home, completed our memorable day out, and all for $50 per head.

The Barossa Valley doesn’t disappoint at any time of the year but especially during autumn, the region shines and the invitation to step inside and enjoy some top reds in cosy establishments is all the more easy to accept.

Enjoy

Glenys