The Barossa is one of the world’s great wine producing regions in South Australia and a short drive from its capital city, Adelaide. This area has been heavily influenced by its German heritage and has become famous for its fine wines, cheese and quality foods. Even if you’re not a wine drinker there is plenty to enjoy in this beautifully scenic area.
Many of Australia’s largest wineries can be found here but while the Barossa is mostly associated with reds like Shiraz, there are a number of other grape varieties also grown here including Cabernet Sauvignon as well as whites such as Chardonnay, Riesling, Grenache and Semillon.
There are many wonderful ways to experience the Barossa, either with an organised tour, a self-guided scenic drive or if you’re up for it even by bicycle. There are many organised tours that can be found when visiting South Australia ranging from a few hours to the whole day. There are well mapped out self-guided tours where visitors may proceed along heritage trails at their own pace, visiting wineries and historic sights along the way.
Be sure to check out the Barossa Gourmet weekend every August where over twenty wineries from the area showcase their finest wines, drawing visitors with music, wine tastings and food. Then there’s the week long Barossa Vintage Festival held in late March to early April. This event is the largest and longest running wine festival in Australia and includes music entertainment, food and local produce, parades, arts and crafts events and of course wine tastings and workshops. Held every other year the next Vintage Festival is in 2015.
