72 Hours in the Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley was settled in 1842 as an agricultural and wine region and has remained that way even as surrounding areas have grown. The largest neighboring “big” city is Adelaide located approximately 38 miles away making the valley an easy day trip. However, this 8.1 x 8.7-mile area is better experienced with a multi-night stay in the area itself.

Dotted with little towns, the majority of people live in Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Angaston, Williamstown, and Lyndoch. The area remains very rural with the largest town having a population of fewer than 6,000 people. The towns maintain strong ties to their European heritage so it is common to see German foods, festivals, and European-inspired architecture.

Wine of the Barossa Valley

Wine is at the core of the whole community and has been the center of life for generations of families. Nearly everyone in the region currently or has worked in the local wine industry and if you get them talking they will tell you everything about it. That openness and friendliness is one of the things that makes this wine region so endearing. 

With close to 150 wineries and over 80 cellar doors, you would think that winemakers of the area would be aloof and off-limits. But you will instead find friendly faces ready to tell you about the wines, their winery, and even point you in the right direction for more fantastic vino. There are no wine snobs or overt competitiveness. These are people who believe in the community that has been built and they will help each other out by sharing labor, vine cuttings, and whatever else they can give to their neighbor.

The region is home to some of the oldest vines in Australia including shiraz, cabernet, and grenache. The variety of grapes grown is something else that makes the area unique. Most wine regions are heavily dependent or known for one type of grape. The Barossa Valley however successfully grows a variety of grapes allowing them to produce many varieties of wine and adjust to changing tastes.

Even if you have never heard of the valley itself you have probably heard of some of the wines that come from the region. The area is home to iconic names such as Penfolds, Peter Lehmann, and Yalumba. And the number of little known wineries is astounding. Many of the wines of the region aren’t available in the US so be sure to grab a few bottles to take home with you. 

These are only a few of our favorites to get you started:

• Two Hands Wines
• Barossa Valley Estate
• Bethany Wines
• Fernfield Wines
• Peter Seppelt Wines Grand Cru Estate
• Rockford Wines

Where to eat in the Barossa Valley

Thankfully many of the cellar doors offer fantastic food options including picnic platters and tasting plates. But when you want a real dining experience you don’t have to look far for that either. The area is known for fantastic produce and livestock that transforms into unforgettable meals and dining experiences. 

A few bites not to miss:

• 1918 Bistro & Grill – a family owned restaurant in a 100-year-old house. Don’t miss the garden bar in the summer.
• Appellation at The Louise – world class dining featuring local ingredients. This is a meal you won’t soon forget!
• The Farm Eatery – a casual dining experience from Maggie Beer with cooking classes and a gin school.
• Red Door espresso – a casual local spot featuring seasonal items. Perfect pick me up between wineries and activities.
• Hentley Farm – This farm restaurant takes winery food to a whole new level. A food experience that features produce growing wild in the area and sourced from the onsite gardens.

What to do besides wineries

While you could definitely spend all of your time visiting wineries, there are plenty of other things you don’t want to miss. And if you stay in the valley itself you can fit most of these activities into a short stay.

Bike Tour of the Valley

The Barossa Valley is an area of natural beauty so you want to get out there and really experience it. One of the best ways to do that is on a bike. The team at Barossa Bike Hire can provide self guided or guided options geared towards your interests. Do you want to just take in the scenery? Or maybe it is all about the food and wine? You let them know and they will set you on the right track. 

Bakery Visits

With a strong European heritage, baking is a strong component of the valley’s culture. You will find small family owned bakeries throughout the region and stopping by a few should be high on your list. Our favorite is Apex Bakery in Tanunda which was opened in 1924 and is still run by the same family. This wood oven bakehouse smells amazing and the breads and pies coming out of it taste even more fantastic. Grab a loaf (or two) and head out on a picnic. 

Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop

Wine isn’t the only thing that put the valley on the map. Maggie Beer has been bringing foodies to the area for years. You might not have heard of her, but she is Australia’s original food icon. Her love of food is contagious and a visit to her Farm Shop is a must when in the valley. Not only will you walk out with some delicious items to take home, but you can learn about the ingredients that make Australia and the Barossa Valley unique. This is also the perfect spot to grab everything you need for an epic picnic. 

Where to stay

While you could make Adelaide your home base and do day trips to the valley there is something special about staying there and fully immersing yourself in the area. So where to stay? There are so many unique accommodations from farm stays, to cottages, to luxury retreats – here are a few of our favorites.

• Abbotsford Country House – Stay at this beautiful farmstead and be treated like a local by the fantastic owners.
• The Louise – Enjoy the valley in the lap of luxury at this world-class resort.
• Jacob’s Creek – Stay in a unique 19th-century settler’s cottage for a full immersion into the area.
• The Villas – These gorgeous and unique villas are perfect for a relaxing weekend where you can walk to cellar doors, dining, and even a gin distillery. 
• Novotel – classic hospitality in a central location makes this hotel a great option. 

Pick your accommodations, map out your favorite cellar doors, hire a bike, and be prepared to immerse yourself in everything the Barossa Valley has to offer. I promise seventy-two hours will fly by and you will feel like it isn’t enough. The people of the Barossa Valley will draw you in and make you want to stay. Of course, there is always a second and third visit to plan in the future.