South Australia’s Barossa Valley is known for its excellent wineries and cellar doors, gourmet experiences, picturesque landscapes with palm tree-lined country roads and luxury accommodation. The Barossa Valley is a one-hour drive from Adelaide CBD and has beautiful lodges, villas and retreats to rest your head.
The Louise
The Louise is a great place to base yourself in the beautiful Barossa Valley. The revamped luxury accommodation is also a dining destination in itself. Perfume wafts from the lavender and rosemary hemmed central walkway to the 15 chic villas overlooking rows of Shiraz vines. Its award-winning Appellation restaurant is a showstopper, presenting the finest regional ingredients from local farmers and growers along with freshly picked goodies from the kitchen garden, while Contour Bar and Kitchen offers relaxed dining. Both venues welcome casual diners; bookings are essential via the website.
The Louise has its own Little Black Book of special things to do in the Barossa Valley. It offers backstage pass experiences to discover the treasures of the world-famous region that has wine and food lovers swooning. Suggestions include the nearby fabulous Fino Seppeltsfield restaurant that supports small-scale, sustainable producers with 95 per cent of the restaurant’s produce sourced locally. Chef Dan Murphy works extensively with local producers to deliver exciting tastes and flavours.
The Villas – Barossa
You may well see kangaroos hopping by, be serenaded by kookaburras and spot magpies, parrots and galahs at The Villas – Barossa. The luxury accommodation is located in the heart of the iconic Seppeltsfield Road precinct. The two beautiful eco-focused villas with floor-to-ceiling windows harmonise with nature in the secluded vineyard setting. Soak up the views while sipping wine on the deck surrounded by bushland. Inspired by the region’s agricultural roots, The Villas has a unique architectural design with simplicity and warmth. The peaceful, secluded retreat is perfect for slowing down, meeting the locals and discovering the charm of the area. Located in the tiny village of Marananga, you are within easy walking distance of five cellar doors, a gin distillery and an award-winning restaurant. One thing is for sure – you’ll receive a big Barossa welcome wherever you go in this hallowed wine country.
Kingsford The Barossa
Kingsford The Barossa is a private retreat on the edge of the Barossa Valley. It is exquisite and exclusive – comprising of 225 acres of rolling pasture and deep creeks but accommodating just 32 guests over 16 suites. At its heart is an original 1856 homestead that offers eight elegant and generously proportioned suites. An impressive lodge includes exclusive bars, dining and event spaces to indulge guests in what the Barossa does best – fine wine and artisan-grown produce. The whole property can also be booked for exclusive use. Kingsford The Barossa is the perfect setting for a relaxing weekend away, weddings, birthdays, special family celebrations and corporate events.
Things to do in The Barossa Valley
The Eatery at Maggie Beer’s Pheasant Farm offers fabulous farm-to-table dining experiences showcasing the ‘Best in Barossa’ produce. St Hugo Wines with its ski chalet inspired restaurant offers the ‘Riedel Tasting’ fun and interactive wine-tasting experience. Artisans of Barossa at Tanunda has two dining venues, Delikatessen for all day dining and Essen for a contemporary interpretation of seasonal Barossa bounty. Close to The Louise is David Franz, voted the ‘Coolest Cellar Door’ in the Best Cellar Door Awards 2021.
Sustainability in South Australia
Be assured there’s plenty of choice when it comes to eco-friendly sipping and dining in South Australia. The state is a headliner in sustainability. In fact, it was the first state to ban plastic bags and single-use plastics. And Adelaide is set to become the world’s first carbon-neutral city. Those who step out of the city and visit the Barossa Valley will discover many sustainable things to do in the region.
Sustainable wineries in the Barossa Valley
In the Barossa, sustainable wineries include Hayes Family Wines, where the vineyard is run sustainably, synthetic herbicides boycotted and additives limited. And nearby, seventh-generation-run Hutton Vale Farm has embraced a sustainable approach to wine and food production.
Organic wineries in McLaren Vale
Organic drops from boutique wineries, small-batch distillers, craft brewers and sustainable dining have a big following. At McLaren Vale’s Gemtree Wines, sheep replace pesticides, ground quartz prevents fungal infections, cow manure and recycled water feed the vineyard and solar powers the irrigation, winery and cellar door. The winery was judged the world’s best winery for Sustainable Wine Tourism at the Best of Wine Tourism awards in Bordeaux in 2019. The deck at this Fleurieu Peninsula cellar door is the perfect place to enjoy a tasting in stunning scenery. Another outstanding organic winery is McLaren Vale’s d’Arenberg Wines. The largest biodynamic wine grape grower in Australia and also known for its landmark five-level cube-shaped cellar door.
This article originally appeared in volume 45 of Signature Luxury Travel & Style magazine. Subscribe to the latest issue today.
