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Hot tips, hidden gems and must-see destinations to make the most of the Barossa valley.
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Start with a tasting at Torbreck Vintners
The drive from Adelaide to the Barossa Valley is roughly an hour, taking you from the city streets of South Australia’s charming capital to some of the world’s most famous vineyards. Your first stop? A tasting at Torbreck Vintners. Torbreck is best known for its red wines including shiraz, grenache and a number of delicious blends. There’s a newly renovated tasting room attached to the original cellar door, which is in an 1850s’ settler’s cottage, where you can be taken through a flight of wines including the iconic RunRig shiraz.
Enjoy a casual lunch at Harvest Kitchen
Your next stop is Harvest Kitchen, a restaurant just east of Tanunda. It’s known for serving high-quality food in a relaxed setting and was established in 2015 by Tracy Collins, a top-five Masterchef contestant, along with hospitality maestro Pete Little. The menu features plenty of share plates as well as local wines and craft beers, while the outside dining area provides the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing lunch.
Base yourself in Tanunda to visit Z Wine and the Tanunda Hotel
If you’re yet to book your accommodation, Tanunda makes for an excellent base to explore the Barossa. It’s a small, charming town filled with cellar doors, restaurants, cafés and bakeries, and if you can check in after lunch today, we highly recommend doing so. It’s then a short walk through town for an afternoon tasting at Z Wine, a highly awarded set up run by sisters – and fifth-generation Barossans – Janelle and Kristen Zerk. This sister duo is giving Penfolds a run for its money when it comes to the regional specialty of shiraz, though their grenache, mataro and GSM blends are right up there with the best of them.
Finish off the day at the Tanunda Hotel, a classic country pub on the main street of Tanunda. It’s old school with a modern twist and also has accommodation. You’ll find plenty of punters here winding down after a long day of wine tasting, so order a cold beer and soak up the vibe along with the gravy.
Hit the morning skies, then the markets
Hoping for a bird’s-eye view of the Barossa? Then the team at Barossa Helicopters has you covered for an adventure-filled morning with unforgettable views over the vines. The sight of vineyards stretching across the valley really is an incredible sight, and once you’ve landed, you can get up close and personal with the region’s produce at the Barossa Farmers’ Market. It’s open every Saturday morning in the nearby town of Angaston and features plenty of fresh produce along with food and coffee trucks.
Tasting at Chateau Tanunda
Once you’ve grabbed some breakfast at the markets, it’s off to the first tasting of the day: Chateau Tanunda, which has been at the heart of Barossa wine-making since the late 19th century. It was once the largest winery in the Southern Hemisphere, is still one of Australia’s top wineries, and they run guided tours of the historic chateau for anyone interested.
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An afternoon in Seppeltsfield
Spend the afternoon in the renowned Seppeltsfield precinct, treating yourself to a lunch at Hentley Farm, which was awarded three chef hats in the Australian Good Food Guide ‘21. Executive Chef Clare Falzon and her kitchen team do a phenomenal job showcasing the Barossa by tending to the farm’s garden bends, foraging for wild produce and working with local farmers to create mouth-watering dishes. There are a number of dining experiences on offer, so be sure to look through your options before making a reservation.
It’s a short drive from Hentley Farm to Seppeltsfield Road Distillers, where you can enjoy a locally made, award-winning G&T. Their House Gin was ranked #21 in the Top 100 Spirits in the World at the London Spirits Competition and the distillery does cheese boards too, so pull up a seat on the deck and relax into a lazy afternoon along the Barossa’s famous Seppeltsfield Road.
Tasting the red wines at Chateau Tanunda, which was once the Southern Hemisphere’s largest winery.
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Discover the Barossa Valley’s bakery scene
Look, it’s a huge call, but Apex Bakery may just be the best bakery in the Barossa. It’s the region’s original wood-fired bakehouse and has been run by the same family for four generations now, churning out warm cinnamon scrolls, delicious sourdough and a gourmet take on the humble meat pie – breakfast is sorted.
Last drinks at First Drop Wines
After filling up at Apex, it’s time to enjoy a final drop at First Drop Wines. Their casual cellar door operates out of an 1930s distillery in Nuriootpa and there’s a diverse lineup of wines from the Barossa, McLaren Vale and Eden Valley on offer, including barbera, garnacha, nebbiolo, touriga nacional and, of course, shiraz. It’s a great spot for lunch too, with some excellent tapas plates including charcuterie, anchovies and manchego. Share some food and some memories, then head back to Adelaide.
