The Barossa Valley is located in South Australia and is one of the best wine-producing regions on the Australian mainland with a rapidly-growing international reputation. Many of the area wineries are open for tastings and there are organized tours operating out of Adelaide to visit them.
The evidence of the original German settlers can be seen in the steeply sloping roofs of the older buildings. The local cuisine is very heavily influenced by Germanic culture. For example, meats such as Mettwurst, Bratwurst and a range of other tasty and old-fashioned sausages are found throughout the region. On the dessert side, heavy cream cakes are very popular, including Bienenstich and cream buns of all sorts of forms.
There is also an Anglo influence in the Scottish Angaston region. You will be able to see the differences between this town and the surrounding Germanic towns, in the architecture and even by the family names that can be found on war memorials etc.
Religion in this region is predominantly Lutheran, so expect to see many churches made from stone, with beautiful silver spires reaching to the sky. The quality architecture is testament to much loving care and fine masonry skills lavished on the building of the churches in the past 150 years.
It is now possible to say with truth and pride that the Barossa is one of the finest wine producing regions in the world. It has great soils, family farms where the wine-growing traditions have been passed down through the generations and local oenologist courses at such places as Roseworthy College are ensuring that winemakers are highly educated and skilled in their winemaking. Many of the local schools also include winemaking courses as part of their agricultural studies curricula.
PLACE TO VISIT
Barossa Under the Stars. Concert held in summer (25 February in 2006) featuring a world recognised entertainer in an open-air picnic setting.
Tour Down Under. A professional cycling racing race featuring some of the world's top riders. Race starts on the third Tuesday of January each year. One stage of the five stage race includes towns in the Barossa Valley. The riders ride approximately 150km on this stage.
Maggie Beer Farm Shop. Maggie Beer is a local chef who presents cooking demonstrations on national TV and an award winning author. The farm shop sells a range of fine foods.
Whispering Wall. via Yettie Road, Williamstown. A dam built to create the Barossa Valley reservoir in 1903, that has an unusual design and quality of build that allows people to whisper against one end of the dam wall, and be heard perfectly at the other end 144 metres away.
Menglers Hill Lookout An excellent vantage point east of Tanunda, with a large carpark and several sculpture around the base. On a clear summers day, it offers stunning and unparalleled views of the entire Valley. Even in winter rain, the view is still worth the short drive.
WINE
The wine industry plays a major role in the Barossa, being the main source of employment for many residents. The many hectares of vineyard are the most distinctive feature of the area, especially when viewed from the Mengler's Hill lookout positioned on the range of hills that form one side of the valley itself. The success of the wine industry has historically been celebrated every two years (odd numbers) with a week-long Vintage Festival. The festival draws visitors from all over the world and has entertainment for all tastes including a huge street parade, concerts and gourmet dining.
Wineries - Among the well known wineries located in the Barossa valley are Grant Burge, Torbreck, Orlando (producers of Jacob's Creek), Kaesler, Penfolds, Peter Lehmann, Wolf Blass, Rockford, Elderton, Glaetzer, Saltram, Yalumba and Seppelts.
Grape Varieties - The Barossa Valley is primarily known for its red wine, in particular Shiraz (Syrah). Normally large proportions of Barossa Shiraz is used in Penfolds Grange (Australia's most famous wine). Henschke Hill of Grace is also a Barossa Shiraz. Other main grape varieties grown in the region include Riesling, Semillon, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. There are also some fortified wines traditionally produced in the region.
Terroirs - The soil in the Barossa Valley varies considerably – from deep sandy soils on the sloping areas to sandy loam and heavy red-brown clay soils on the flats.
This area has winter dominant rainfall with high summer evaporation. It is classified as being warm to moderately continental. Very hot weather in February and March can place stress on the vines at the end of the ripening cycle resulting in concentrated flavours.
WINE TASTING
If you're coming to the Barossa Valley, the wine is probably part of the attraction. Most bars will serve a good selection, and most of the wineries have a cellar door with free tastings. The main restaurants feature a wide range of Barossa vintages, as well as a surprising bredth of offerings from the rest of Australia and international iconic wines.
HOW TO REACH
By car - The Barossa Valley is about an hour's drive from the airport in Adelaide. Public transport isn't that good within the valley, which is a shame given the opportunities to drink lots of excellent wine, usually for free - though hotels can arrange transfers to and from the airport if that's what you want. Hires are available in Adelaide for all budgets ranging from the world wide brands, down to rent-a wreck cheapies. The Adelaide airport is rated as one of the best mid-sized airports in the world (new terminal in 2006), and renting and returning a hire car is a no-brainer.
Getting to the Barossa from Adelaide or the airport is considerably easier than traveling to Australia's other major wine regions (Hunter Valley from Sydney - about 2-1/2 hours; Yarra Valley from Melbourne - about 1-1/2 hours; or Margaret River from Perth - about 3-1/2 hours). The Barossa is positioned one hour to the Northeast of Adelaide, about the same geographical relationship as Napa Valley has with the city of San Francisco.
By bus - Barossa Valley Coaches (Barossa-Adelaide) travels to the Barossa from Adelaide once a day, and from Gawler twice a day.It costs A$20.
