From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tanunda is surrounded by vineyards showing Autumn colour.

The Barossa Valley is a major wine-producing region and tourist destination of South Australia, located 60 km northeast of Adelaide. It is the valley formed by the North Para River, and the Barossa Valley Way is the main road through the valley, connecting the main towns on the valley floor of Nuriootpa, Tanunda, Rowland Flat and Lyndoch.

History

An overview of the Bethany vineyard, first planted in 1852. Bethany was the first settlement in the Barossa region.

The Barossa Valley takes its name from the Barossa Ranges, which were named by Colonel William Light in 1837. Light chose the name in memory of the British victory over the French in the Battle of Barrosa, in which he fought in 1811. The name "Barossa" was registered in error, due to a clerical error in transcribing the name "Barrosa". The area is approximately 13 km long by 14 km wide.

The three major towns of the Barossa each have a distinctive personality. Tanunda is generally recognised as the most German of the three with long-standing traditions dating back to the 1840s when the first German settlers arrived in the area. Because many of them came from Prussian Silesia, they called the Barossa Neu-Schlesien, or "New Silesia".^[1] The German influence survives to this day (see Barossa German). Angaston, in contrast, is considered the English town as it was settled predominantly by Cornish miners and others from Britain. The third (and largest) town, Nuriootpa, was influenced by both the German and British settlers, and today is the commercial hub of the Barossa where most of the larger stores are located.

People

Currently, the Barossa Valley has a population of about 20,000, most of whom live in Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Angaston, Williamstown and Lyndoch, each having over 1000 people, with a few smaller towns such as Moculta and Springton. All of these towns are part of the Barossa local government. Many facilities not available in these towns are usually supplemented in nearby Gawler. In recent years, increased development in the area has seen opposition from the local communities.

The area is also a Lutheran stronghold with many residents identifying themselves as Lutherans. Some towns have more than one Lutheran church. Tanunda, for example, has Langmeil, Tabor, St. Paul's and St. Johns. Nuriootpa has St. Petri and Holy Trinity. Angaston has Zion and Salem (Penrice).

Each major town also has a Lutheran primary school. Tanunda has Tanunda Lutheran School, Nuriootpa has Redeemer, and Angaston has Good Shepherd. St. Jakobi, the Lutheran primary school at Lyndoch, hosts the Barossa Airshow annually as its fundraiser.

Population

Major Town Populations:

Wine industry

Wine grape vines in the Barossa Valley.

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 Barossa Valley 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.

The Barossa Valley is primarily known for its red wine, in particular Shiraz. Normally^[2] large proportions of Barossa Shiraz is used in Penfolds Grange (Australia's most famous wine).^[3]. 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.

Food production

Although it is overshadowed by the wine industry, significant food production occurs in the Barossa Valley,^[4] including:

• Angas Park Fruit Company which produces dried fruit at Angaston
• Maggie Beer produces pate, verjuice and ice cream
• Apex Bakery in Tanunda is a traditional baker

The Barossa also is a renowned source for produce which is used mainly for making preserves and jams or is sold in local Farmers' Markets. Most of the food produced in the Barossa is made with the local produce.

Festivals

Each year the Barossa Valley holds a festival called the Vintage Festival. At the Vintage Festival local winemakers and producers can show their wines and produce as well as celebrations with local choirs and groups. Farmers' Markets are also very popular in the Barossa. This is where local producers can sell their products and where consumers know exactly where the product has come from and how it has been processed or manufactured.

Farmers' Markets are also popular among the Barossa Valley in which farmers can sell their produce directly to the consumer.

See also

• Australian wine
• South Australian food and drink
• South Australian wine

References

External links

• Barossa Valley travel guide from Wikitravel
• Barossa Wine & Tourism
• Official Barossa Council Site
• Barossa Wedding & Visitor Guide - Venues, Accommodation, Attractions
• SouthAustralia.com Barossa Section - Travel Guides, Accommodation, Online Booking
• map and text descriptions of the wine region published by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation / Wine Australia

Coordinates: 34°32′S 138°57′E / 34.533°S 138.95°E / -34.533; 138.95

From Wikitravel

Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley. The town is in the foreground, followed by vineyards, Barossa Ranges in the background.

The Barossa Valley [1] is 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.

• Nuriootpa
• Tanunda
• Lyndoch
• Angaston
• Eden Valley

Other destinations

Other regions close by include Eden Valley, Adelaide Hills, and of course Adelaide.

Understand

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.

Get in

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.

The scenic driving route to the Barossa is via the Adelaide Hills just East of the city, and then North through the hills enjoying country roads and sleepy towns. Perhaps drive through Inglewood Houghton and Williamstown to arrive in the Valley at Lyndoch. If time permits the wispering wall, the reservoir wall at Williamstown is worth a visit. Similar to the sound effect in the dome of St Pauls London, but on a far far larger scale, wispered sounds, inaudible a few feet away are miraculously conducted along the wall to re-emerge perfectly audible half a kilometre or so away.

The direct route is via Main North Road and Sturt Highway bypassing the town of Gawler. This route is about 1/3 city driving, 1/3 suburban neighborhoods and shopping centres, and the final 1/3 is open main road through rolling country farmland. Allowing 60-75 minutes between airport and Barossa winery tasting rooms is realistic. Adelaide seldom has traffic jams, and while the locals may whinge about growing conjestion, it's still a very civilised metropolis with polite drivers, good roads and ample directional signage.

By bus

Barossa Valley Coaches (Barossa-Adelaide) [2] travels to the Barossa from Adelaide once a day, and from Gawler twice a day.It costs A$20.

• Barossa Under the Stars. [3] Concert held in summer (25 February in 2006) featuring a world recognised entertainer in an open-air picnic setting.
• Tour Down Under. [4] 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. [5] 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.

• Visit wineries. The Barossa Valley is famous for wines and many wines are internationally known. The following list contains some of the larger and commonly recognized wineries.
  • Bethany Wines, Tanunda, [6]
  • Burge Family Winemakers, Lyndoch, [7]
  • Chateau Tanunda, Tanunda, [8]
  • Cockatoo Ridge Wines, Tanunda, [9]
  • Elderton Wines, Nuriootpa, [10]
  • Grant Burge, Tanunda, [11]
  • Henschke, Keyneton, [12]
  • Jacob's Creek, Rowland Flat, [13]
  • Kaesler Wines, Nuriootpa, [14]
  • Kellermeister, Lyndoch, [15]
  • Kies Family Wines, Lyndoch, [16]
  • Penfolds, Nuriootpa, [17]
  • Peter Lehmann Wines, Tanunda, [18]
  • Richmond Grove, Tanunda, [19]
  • Rockford Wines, Tanunda, [20]
  • Rolf Binder@Veritas Winery, Tanunda, [21]
  • Ross Estate, Lyndoch, [22]
  • Saltram Wines, Angaston, [23]
  • Seppelt Wines, Seppeltsfield, [24]
  • St Hallett Winery, Tanunda, [25]
  • Two Hands Wines, Marananga, [26]
  • Wolf Blass, Nuriootpa, [27]
  • Yaldara, Lyndoch, [28]
  • Yalumba, Angaston, [29]
• Wine Tours
  • Barossa Epicurean Tours [30] Run by a friendly and interesting couple.
  • Barossa Experience Tours [31]
  • Adelaide Limos [32] Tour the Barossa Valley in a limousine.
  • Barossa Dailmer Tours [33]
  • Rich & Lingering [34] Offers bespoke food and wine tours which gratify the senses.
  • Grayline [35] Grayline offer tours of the Barossa Valley departing from Adelaide.
• Barossa Vintage Festival. [36] A week long festival showcasing the region's best food and wine. The festival is held at wineries, vineyards, churches and parks. The Festival is held in odd numbered years and always begins on Easter Monday.
• Wine Centre
  • Adelaide Wine Centre [37] Adjacent to the Botanic Gardens, it offers comprehensive learning exhibits and tasting.
• Hot Air Balloons. [38] View the Barossa Valley from a hot air balloon. Balloon Adventures offer flights from $260.
• Get Married. The Barossa Valley is the perfect location to celebrate a destination wedding in picturesque wine country.
  • Barossa Bride [39] Barossa Valley wedding planning guide, it offers unique venues and wedding suppliers for planning the perfect Barossa wedding.

Eat

Many of the local restaurants and cafes serve "traditional" German-heritage food, and food made with locally-grown fresh ingredients. Examples include 1918 in Tanunda and the Krondorf Cafe at Kabminye Wines. Fine dining choices include Appellation [40] in Marananga and Vintner's Bar and Grill in Angaston.

Meals will be 'off' in the afternoon. Plan on eating at structured times (11a-1p; 5p-8p).

Drink

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.

• Barossa Junction Resort, Barossa Valley Way, Tanunda, +61 8 8563-3400 Fax: +61 (0)8 8563 3660. [41] Rooms are old converted railway cars, ranging from basic cars through to fairly well furnished suites. $50+

• Abbotsford Country House, Yaldara Drive, Lyndoch, +61 8 8524-4662 Fax: +61 8 8524-4186. [42]$325.
• Novotel Barossa Valley, Golf Links Rd, Rowland Flat, +61 8 8524-0000 Fax: +61 8 8524-0100. [43] $260+.
• The Louise, Seppeltsfield Road, Marananga, +61 8 8562-2722 Fax: +61 8 8562-3133. [44] $381+.

Stay safe

The Barossa Valley is a pretty safe area. The usual travel precautions always apply though.

Also, you should be very careful not to drink and drive. The police are very vigilant as this region sadly has a high rate of car accident deaths amongst young males - the roads can be very windy and large gum trees in these region often front onto the road, which can make coming at one very daunting as you round a corner. Stick to the speed limits and keep safe.

Get out

Unless you want to drive the Sturt Highway to Sydney or the Stuart Highway to Darwin, go back to Adelaide and get on a plane to Sydney, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Ayers Rock), or Perth.

Alternatively, you could head south and out to the Great Ocean Road on your way to Melbourne.