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.
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 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 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 large proportions of Barossa Shiraz is used in Penfolds Grange (Australia's most famous wine). 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.
The week-long Barossa Vintage Festival is held biennially, in odd-numbered years. The festival runs for around a week, and traditionally marks and celebrates the completion of the year's vintage season, at the end of March and beginning of April. A variety of wine-themed events are held during the festival, including wine tastings and competitions, musical events, food events with local produce, balls and parades.
The Barossa Vintage Festival was first held in 1947, to celebrate the end of the grape harvest, and the end of hostilities in World War II, and has run continually since. It is Australia's oldest and longest-running wine festival.
If you’re driving you can follow the Barossa’s carefully-designed food and wine trails. Taste delectable breads, smoked meats and other regional produce on the Butcher, Baker and Winemaker Trail. Or collect your esky of hand-made cheeses and begin matching at wineries along the Barossa Cheese and Wine Trail. Wind down the palm-lined Seppeltsfield Road past 11 cellar doors and local food and wine producers. If you’d prefer to stroll, the Para Road Wine path takes in four acclaimed cellar doors along the river in historic Tanunda.
Learn more about the Barossa’s rich history on the heritage trail which stretches from Kapunda in the north to Mt Pleasant in the south. It winds through the Barossa’s many villages, showcasing museums, pioneer buildings and some of Australia’s oldest wineries. Wander the rose garden of a majestic chateau and browse the Tanunda museum, housed in the town’s original 1865 post-office. Here church furniture, pottery and other relics help you imagine the life of the region’s early German settlers. Art remains a rich part of the Barossa tradition, and you’ll find art galleries, studios, craft outlets and antique stores everywhere. Wineries, cafes and restaurants often double as galleries for local artists.
Take the Barossa Scenic Heritage route through charming villages such as Bethany, Angaston, Nuriootpa, Greenock, Seppeltsfield, Maranaga and Tanunda. Drive through the Barossa Sculpture Park to the top of Mengler Hill Drive for incredible panoramic views of the Barossa’s lush valleys.
If you have the time, the Barossa is the ideal place to indulge and unwind. Play golf between the gum-trees on one of the Barossa’s championship courses or stroll through the fragrant lavender farm. Complete your Barossa holiday by checking into a day spa, healing retreat or luxurious vineyard resort.
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 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 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 large proportions of Barossa Shiraz is used in Penfolds Grange (Australia's most famous wine). 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.
The week-long Barossa Vintage Festival is held biennially, in odd-numbered years. The festival runs for around a week, and traditionally marks and celebrates the completion of the year's vintage season, at the end of March and beginning of April. A variety of wine-themed events are held during the festival, including wine tastings and competitions, musical events, food events with local produce, balls and parades.
The Barossa Vintage Festival was first held in 1947, to celebrate the end of the grape harvest, and the end of hostilities in World War II, and has run continually since. It is Australia's oldest and longest-running wine festival.
If you’re driving you can follow the Barossa’s carefully-designed food and wine trails. Taste delectable breads, smoked meats and other regional produce on the Butcher, Baker and Winemaker Trail. Or collect your esky of hand-made cheeses and begin matching at wineries along the Barossa Cheese and Wine Trail. Wind down the palm-lined Seppeltsfield Road past 11 cellar doors and local food and wine producers. If you’d prefer to stroll, the Para Road Wine path takes in four acclaimed cellar doors along the river in historic Tanunda.
Learn more about the Barossa’s rich history on the heritage trail which stretches from Kapunda in the north to Mt Pleasant in the south. It winds through the Barossa’s many villages, showcasing museums, pioneer buildings and some of Australia’s oldest wineries. Wander the rose garden of a majestic chateau and browse the Tanunda museum, housed in the town’s original 1865 post-office. Here church furniture, pottery and other relics help you imagine the life of the region’s early German settlers. Art remains a rich part of the Barossa tradition, and you’ll find art galleries, studios, craft outlets and antique stores everywhere. Wineries, cafes and restaurants often double as galleries for local artists.
Take the Barossa Scenic Heritage route through charming villages such as Bethany, Angaston, Nuriootpa, Greenock, Seppeltsfield, Maranaga and Tanunda. Drive through the Barossa Sculpture Park to the top of Mengler Hill Drive for incredible panoramic views of the Barossa’s lush valleys.
If you have the time, the Barossa is the ideal place to indulge and unwind. Play golf between the gum-trees on one of the Barossa’s championship courses or stroll through the fragrant lavender farm. Complete your Barossa holiday by checking into a day spa, healing retreat or luxurious vineyard resort.
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