The Barossa Valley in winter

Jacob's Creek

This past week I played tour guide to an overseas visitor and went off to the Barossa Valley. I had thought of an itinerary that included some wineries and other stops through the valley.

First stop was the Jacob's Creek winery at Roland Flat, I knew from taking previous overseas visitors to the Barossa, that Jacob's Creek has a high name recognition outside of Australia. Despite it being a weekday in winter, the wine tasting area was busy. My visitors enjoyed the wines on offer as well as the photo opportunities, luckily the rain held off for some of the time.


Winter vines at Jacob's Creek

From Jacob's Creek I drove through Bethany (the oldest Barossa settlement) and up to Mengele's Hill. From there we would get a great view of the surrounding valley, which we did, unfortunately by then the rain was coming down quite heavily!! Ah the perils of outdoor tourism in winter!


Rain over the valley

It was well past 1 o'clock so time for lunch. My visitor was an avid watcher of Maggie Beer on cooking shows, so her farm shop was the logical place for a lunch stop. It would also be the first time for me to try out the food there so a win, win all round.


The Maggie Beer Farm Shop and Restaurant.

The Farm Shop was well set up with tasting areas of all the products, really enjoyed that part of visiting the shop. And they got a sale out of me, I loved the Dark Chocolate Vino Cotto Caramel, kept going back for repeat tastes! Then bought a jar for home!

The restaurant has a limited lunch menu, I had the Caramelised Onion tart with goat's curd.

My visitors went for the Chicken Taragon parcel with salad.

The restaurant area had bifold windows that opened up to a view of the lake, sadly due to the rain and cold weather it was all closed but I thought a return visit in summer would be on the cards.
There was one lone duck paddling away in the rain!




Part of the Farm shop with the tasting pots on the wine barrels. As well as the restaurant and farm shop there is also a cooking demonstration room. 

Maggie Beer's Farm Shop and restaurant is just off Seppeltfields Road which was perfect as I wanted to visit Seppeltfields next. First a quick stop at the Seppelt Mausoleum.


View from the Mausoleum looking towards Seppeltfields winery.

Seppeltsfield is my favourite of the Barossa wineries, we spent some time in at the Jam Factory, the arts collective now on site. As well as looking at some memorabilia of Seppeltfields' past and naturally trying some of their ports.


Going down to the winery buildings


Historic wine ledgers with records of the wines made, on an old cart.



We had already had lunch but another great option would have been the Fino restaurant at Seppeltsfield. The rain held out long enough so we could have a walk around and see the historic buildings before the light began to fail and it was time to drive back to Adelaide.

I had planned to visit another winery but 2 ended up being plenty for visitors who weren't great wine aficionados, but were happy just to experience some wine tasting in a well known wine district. Despite the rain it was a lovely little day trip from Adelaide.

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