Barossa Valley Guide

Eat

• Appellation (opens in a new tab)

  Fine Dining · Marananga

  On our list for next time: the restaurant at The Louise, all about seasonal, regional South Australian produce with a serious Barossa wine list.

• Harvest Kitchen (opens in a new tab)

  Modern Australian · Rowland Flat

  Our first stop and the perfect start: fresh, farm-to-table food with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours, inside the Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre, so you can squeeze in a tasting too.

• Hentley Farm (opens in a new tab)

  Fine Dining · Seppeltsfield

  On our list for next time: tasting menus from the farm at Seppeltsfield, freshly awarded a Michelin Star and SA Restaurant of the Year. Bookings open three months ahead.

• Mikes (opens in a new tab)

  Burgers · Tanunda

  Juicy beers plus juicy burgers equals perfect. It's a tiny 18-seater on Murray Street, so walk in early.

• staġuni (opens in a new tab)

  Mediterranean · Marananga

  On our list for next time: Clare Falzon's Maltese-leaning, hyper-local cooking in the restored 1922 Marananga schoolhouse. Thursday night is a BYO set menu.

• Tanunda Hotel (opens in a new tab)

  Pub · Tanunda

  It takes a lot of beer to make good wine! A deliciously simple pub feed of steak and schnitties, plus a game of pool that cost me an $800 pair of sunnies to Jax.

• Vintners Bar & Grill (opens in a new tab)

  Modern Australian · Angaston

  Exactly the vibe you want on a cool winter's day: a roaring fireplace, local and knowledgeable staff, and set-price menus of two, three or four courses. Lock in for a long lunch.

Drink

• Bar:Musque (opens in a new tab)

  Gin Bar · Tanunda

  Gin lovers will love this spot.

• Gomersal Wines (opens in a new tab)

  Winery · Gomersal

  On our list for next time: a family cellar door on Lyndoch Road with relaxed tastings. Book platters at least 24 hours ahead.

• Rieslingfreak (opens in a new tab)

  Winery · Tanunda

  I was so proud walking into John 'The Freak' Hughes's light, bright cellar door. We were on MasterChef together back in 2011, and his riesling passion shines through.

• Smallfry Wines (opens in a new tab)

  Winery · Angaston

  On our list for next time: small-batch, organic and biodynamic wines from Wayne and Suzi's Vine Vale vineyard (some vines are over 100 years old). Visits are by appointment.

• The Cutting (opens in a new tab)

  Winery · Tanunda

  Jax wasn't sure about a wine-blending session, but our afternoon with Belinda ended up her favourite moment of the trip. Great wine, family history and so much fun.

• Torbreck (opens in a new tab)

  Winery · Marananga

  I love a Torbreck wine, and I picked up a bottle you can't get at the bottle shop. The tasting just wasn't as captivating as some of our other stops.

• Tscharke Wines (opens in a new tab)

  Winery · Marananga

  We did the Underground Cellar experience and it was like stepping into a Bond villain's lair, but full of wine instead of weapons. Not to be missed, and bookings are essential.

• Wonderground & Mirus Vineyards (opens in a new tab)

  Winery & Gallery · Seppeltsfield

  On our list for next time: a contemporary art gallery, cellar door and working vineyard in one, with cheese platters and views. Open Friday to Sunday.

Coffee

• Tanunda Bakery & Café (opens in a new tab)

  Bakery · Tanunda

  All your bakery classics, and sometimes that's all you need!

Shop

• Barossa Valley Chocolate Company (opens in a new tab)

  Chocolate · Tanunda

  We saw the sign and had to stop: chocolate heaven, with a full view of the chocolate-making and a great outdoor area for the whole family.

• Maggie Beer's Farm Shop (opens in a new tab)

  Farm Shop · Nuriootpa

  Reliving my childhood food TV obsession: all the Maggie produce, plus the original 'The Cook & The Chef' set. For a proper meal, head to The Eatery on the same site.

Stay

• Le Mas Barossa (opens in a new tab)

  Boutique Hotel · Rowland Flat

  We stayed here and it was amazing, a perfect stay. A four-suite, French-style homestead five minutes from Tanunda. Would definitely go back.

• The Louise (opens in a new tab)

  Luxury Lodge · Marananga

  On our radar: luxury suites among the vines at Marananga, and home to Appellation restaurant. It closes for a winter break each year, so check dates before you book.

Tips