The South Australian Wine Story

Heading north from Adelaide, you are little more than an hour from the Barossa Valley and neighbouring Eden Valley, where – alongside truly world- class wines – a rich food culture has been gently simmering away since the arrival of English and German settlers in the 1840s. This is a region where food traditions thrive as part of everyday life, and where innovative new food businesses, both large and small, are inspired to create new Barossa food. Based on a commitment to showcasing local produce and regional food culture, restaurants such as Appellation at The Louise, fermentAsian, FINO at Seppeltsfield, and Hentley Farm have between them won enough awards to rival the trophy collections of some of the region’s most famous wineries. Artisans of Barossa’s Vino Lokal Barossa Wine Room and Bar was in 2019 awarded “Best Tasting Experience – Barossa Valley” by Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine. Seppeltsfield provides one of the most complete winery visit experiences in Australia and has been described as a national treasure. Here you can explore heritage buildings, try a vintage tawny made in the year of your birth, or watch artists at work in the prestigious Jam Factory studios. The Jacob’s Creek Visitors Centre lets you immerse yourself in the art and science of winemaking – and does it so well that it is now part of South Australian Tourism’s Hall of Fame – while the St Hugo Centre offers a range of unique fine wine experiences for luxury travellers wanting to be indulged. For something a little different, the Henschke and Angas families run an annual Barossa Camino, combining a walk through the stunning Eden Valley scenery followed by lunch served with hand-crafted Henschke and Hutton Vale Farm wines. Heading a little further north to the Clare Valley you can spend a few days cycling or walking the 27-kilometre Riesling Trail through rolling countryside as you visit a variety of cellar doors and other tourist attractions, including intimate art galleries. The oldest winery in the region, Sevenhill Cellars, was established by Jesuit priests who first planted the vines to make sacramental wine. You can explore the Winery Museum and the underground cellar, which is still used to store fortified wines. Paulett Wines, which makes a Riesling once judged the world’s best, has opened Penfolds Magill Estate, Adelaide Guided twilight historical tour of Grange cottage, underground drives and original hiding spot of Max Schubert’s hidden Grange, followed by a seven-course wine-matched degustation experience in Magill Estate Restaurant. St Hugo, Barossa Valley Chef’s kitchen, vineyard and garden walk, wine tasting in underground tasting room followed by dinner overlooking the open kitchen. Seppeltsfield, Barossa Valley Rare opportunity to try a vintage Tawny made in the year of your birth directly from the barrel in the renowned Centennial Cellar. Langmeil, Barossa Valley Taste over 170 years of Barossa vine history in the former underground cobbler’s shop, now the Langmeil Freedom Cellar. Includes historical tour of the 1842 Langmeil property. Henschke, Eden Valley Exclusive access to one of the most renowned Henschke vineyards, Hill of Grace, and an historic working winery, with a comprehensive tasting in the family’s private cellar. d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale Private helicopter tour followed by blending and bottling your own wine then sharing an eight-course food and wine degustation. Wirra Wirra, McLaren Vale Unique belltower, bell ringing and watermelon catipulting experiences for advance bookings. BBQ and picnic area. Heritage tour and specialist wine tastings. Gemtree, McLaren Vale Biodynamic wine tour of 306-acre vineyards; eco-trail wetland walks; family friendly with farm animals and outdoor playground; tutored wine tastings; regional food platters. Bellwether, Coonawarra Join the crew at Bellwether for a week during vintage. Glamping accomodation available for cellar door visitors. Table of 12 dinners served by personal chef and winemaker Sue Bellwether in an 1868 shearing shed. 24 The South Australian Wine Story You can’t miss the Cube The d’ArenbergCube is, without a doubt, themost engaging – and quirkiest – winery building in Australia, if not the world. Inspired by the complexities and puzzles of winemaking, each of the five levels has been carefully designed to entice and excite the senses, including features such as a wine sensory room, a virtual fermenter, a 360-degree video room, andmany other tactile experiences. Visitors are encouraged to explore the Alternate Realities Museum, located on the ground floor, and view the many art installations on display. And you can dine on an outstanding degustation menu in the award-winning restaurant. Something for everyone Here is a small snapshot of the exemplary wine tourism experiences that await you in South Australia. Image: South Australian TourismCommission