Barossa's New NewsBarossa's New News
There's always something new to see, do and celebrate in the Barossa... read up on the Barossa's latest news today!
Read up on what made news in 2009 and 2010 >>>
December 2011
SA Tourism Awards
The Barossa has absolutely excelled at the 2011 South Australian Tourism Awards, with 5 category winners and 12 medallists!
Our Major Award Winners
Sharyn and Peter from the stunning hertitage accommodation property Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage notched up their 7th South Australian Tourism Award and entered the hall of fame (three consecutive years of winning a single category) for the second time in 7 years.
Long standing medallist Getaways Reservation Service have again taken out the major award for ‘Specialised Tourism Services' and also joined Seppeltsfield Vinyard Cottage in the prestigious Hall of Fame at the gala dinner!
Jacobs Creek Visitor Centre was another standout performer at the Gala Dinner, winning two categories; , 'Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services' and 'Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Boutique Breweries'.
Topping of a wonderful night of winners was the team at Tour Barossa who claimed the major award for Category 12 Tour &/or Transport Operators.
Our Medallists
In addition to the category winners mentioned above, the Barossa is also proud to congratulate the following businesses:
Category 2 Tourist Attractions
Silver Barossa Valley Cheese Company
Bronze Lyndoch Lavender Farm & Cafe
Category 4 Festivals and Events
Silver Barossa Vintage Festival
Category 9 Visitor Information and Services
Silver Barossa Visitor Centre
Category 12 Tour &/or Transport Operators
Bronze Barossa Daimler Tours
Category 17 Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Boutique Breweries
Silver Pindarie Wines, Richmond Grove Cellar Door & TeAro Estate Tasting Room
Category 23 Deluxe Accommodation
Silver Treasured Memories Accommodation
Bronze Novotel Barossa Valley Resort
Category 26 Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
Bronze Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre
Category 28 Excellence in Tourism by Local Government
Silver The Barossa Council
To check out all of the 2011 SA Tourism Award winners, please visit the South Australian Tourism Industry Council's website.
Lyndoch Hill reunites with Barossa Château
The owners of Lyndoch Hill, Mandy and Mark Creed are proud to announce that they are reuniting Château Barrosa with Lyndoch Hill. The Château will compliment Lyndoch Hill's already established five-star restaurant, motel accommodation offering, and will expand the stunning 30,000 bush rose garden.
Fresh plans for the Château
Under the management of Lyndoch Hill, the Château will be re-breanded as 'Barossa Château', and will still feature the opulent international antique collection, with new plans to include the introduction of Creed Wines cellar door, a gift shop featuring all things 'rosey', and plans for musical events and a conferencing and events centre specialising in weddings.
A new luxury accommodation experience
The luxury residence within the Chateau is to be released as an exclusive self-contained apartment style of accommodation, providing visitors a unique experience in a very special location.
With the reconnection of Lyndoch Hill and Barossa Chateau the hub has expanded which has offered a brand new tourism destination for visitors to the Barossa!
For more information about Lyndoch Hill and the Barossa Château please visit their website, or visit their wonderful establishment at Lyndoch on your next travels to the Barossa!
2011 Cellar Circle Service Excellence Awards
The 2nd Annual Cellar Circle Service Excellence Awards presentation dinner was held in mid November, acknowledging the exceptional standard of customer service offered throughout the Barossa region by the dedicated cellar door sales teams of Barossa wineries.
The title of ‘Best Cellar Door' for 2011 was won by Henschke Cellars, with congratulations to runners-up Whistler Wines and Schild Estate Wines in a closely run race.
The highly contested ‘Best Service Person' award saw a wonderful cross-section of wineries represented in the top 12, with Henry Goodwin (Artisans of Barossa), Kirsty Kingsley (Seppeltsfield Wines) and Martin Pfeiffer (Whistler Wines) as finalists, Kylie Henderson (Henschke) 2nd runner-up, Daniel Wilson (Linfield Wines) 1st runner-up and Adam Ivkovic (Moorrooroo Park Vineyards) voted best service person. Our congratulations go to all and we thank the generosity of the sponsors for all the prizes with Adam taking home a stunning Riedel ‘Eve' decanter to help celebrate his achievement.
For more images of the awards night, please visit Barossa Dirt's website - or better yet, when you're in the Barossa next visit these awarded cellar doors for a wonderful wine tourism experience!
November 2011
The Barossa launches it's new iPhone App!
The Barossa's new iPhone App is the region's most comprehensive guide to visiting the region.
Our App serves as a fully dynamic regional guide, with over 400 local businesses presenting themselves with rich profiles, all updating regularly. Checkout the photo galleries, videos and virtual tours on our operator's listings before you arrive, and use the app as a guide while your are there, collecting businesses into your 'Favorites' folder to use as an itinerary for your visit.
Keep up to date as businesses post stories about their products, activities, events and special deals in real time on the 'Latest News' icon.
To download the app visit the Apple iTunes Store or scan this QR code with your iPhone!
Château Tanunda ranks as Australia's highest place in world's best 100 wines!
Château Tanunda's Grand Barossa Shiraz 2008 is now listed as the highest ranked Australian wine by Wine Spectator's annual review of the world's best 100 wines for 2011. Coming in at number #33 in the much regarded list, the Shiraz was also listed in the Top 5 of the best value wines in the world.
This list is selected from more than 16,000 new releases which is then narrowed down based on four criteria: Quality, Value, Availability, and what Wine Spectator calls the X-Factor, defined as ‘the excitement generated by a rising-star producer, a benchmark wine or a significant milestone for a wine region'. Harvey Steiman gave the $18 wine 92 points and special recognition by naming it a ‘smart buy wine'. Wine Spectator is the world's leading and most authoritative wine magazine. Wine Spectator's Top 100 wines have been compiled every year since 1988 from a list of the most exciting wines they have reviewed over the preceding 12 months. These 100 wines reflect significant trends, recognise outstanding producers, and spotlight successful regions and vintages around the world.
Château Tanunda wines have now been recognised on three continents this year:
USA - Wine Spectator - Top 100 December 2011
UK - Decanter Magazine - We had two of only five, 5 star wines in November 2011
UK - IWSC in London 2010/11 World's Best Single Vineyard Red (The Everest Grenache) and World's Best Shiraz and Australian Producer of the Year
Europe - Berlin Wine Trophy - Australian Producer of the Year 2010 and 2011
Australia - James Halliday "The Dark Horse Winery" for 2011. 5 Star Winery
"Grand Barossa Shiraz 2008 from Château Tanunda, is now part of this great fraternity." Wine Spectator
For more information on please visit Chateau Tanunda's website >>>
September 2011
Barossa Backpakers is NOW OPEN!
Barossa Backpackers is a brand new accommodation property in Tanunda, which offers backpackers, flashpackers and seasonal workers the opportunity to experience Barossa on a budget.
Decked out with the latest in backpacker furnishings, boasting a brand new stainless steel kitchen and the capacity to hold 76 people, Barossa Backpackers is ideal for budget school trips, social clubs and sporting groups.
Barossa Backpackers also has a bike hire facility on site, and offers support for those seeking seasonal work opportunities in the region.
With accommodation rates starting at $27, it's a great way to experience the Barossa on a budget!
For more information please contact Barossa Backpackers on 08 8563 0198 or email info@barossabackpackers.com.au
New Management and new name for the Wheatsheaf Inn
In early July 2011, fig22 @ The Wheatsheaf Inn officially opened to the public. The team at fig22 are a group of good friends and family led by married duo Karen who has taken on the role of executive chef, and Robert Roesler who welcomes guests at the bar when not standing guard at the wood fired oven.
Their lunch menu includes fresh, seasonal, house made dishes, cheese plates, plus Scullery Made Teas, Toby's Estate Coffee and Little Pretty Cakes. Then, for dinner, they feature wood fired gourmet pizza and tapas engineered to encourage enjoyment of good food and great company. The standout dish - would have to be the twice cooked pork belly - when not sold out! To top it off they have a fantastic wine list selected with the help of good friend and sommelier Mat McNamara.
For more information please visit www.fig22.com.au. fig22 is open from Wednesday - Sunday with light lunch options, tea, coffee and cake from 11am - 4pm and wood fired gourmet pizza and tapas from 6pm. Bookings preferred to avoid disappointment, please phone 08 8523 5588 or email bookings@fig22.com.au
Barossa Visitor Centre's New Interpretive Display
As part of its brand new refurbishment, the Barossa Visitor Centre has a stunning new interpretive artwork display featuring information about the Barossa region and its winemaking and grapegrowing heritage.
For any information regarding visiting the Barossa, be sure to contact the staff at the the Barossa Visitor Centre, located at 66-68 Murray Street, Tanunda, phone 1300 852 982.
June 2011
New Barossa Visitor Centre
After some significant renovations, the Barossa Visitor Centre has succesfully relocated to the new space at the back of the current site and the staff and visitors are loving it!
The centre now has a larger more contemporary space for visitors to enjoy, as well as the friendly professional staff to assist them with any enquiries.
On your next trip to the Barossa, don't forget to book your accommodation at www.barossa.com!
For any information regarding visiting the Barossa, be sure to contact the staff at the the Barossa Visitor Centre, located at 66-68 Murray Street, Tanunda, phone 1300852982.
Barossa Trike Tours New Scenic Tour
Barossa Trike Tours is offering a new and exciting experience, combining the comfort and thrill of riding aboard a stunning trike with the beauty and tranquillity of hiking through the Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park.
Tony, owner/operator of Barossa Trike Tours is an avid hiker having hiked the famous Inca Trail in Peru and Torres Del Paine circuit in Chile, to name a few. Tony said "the hike in Kaiser Stuhl is a hidden gem of the Barossa with over four hundred species of native plants and an abundance of wildlife including many resident western grey kangaroos, the occasional echidna and plenty of birdlife. About half the trail follows the renowned ‘Heyson Trail' including a short diversion trail to a stunning lookout atop of a rocky outcrop overlooking the valley floor and out to the St Vincent Gulf."
Tony will pick people up from their Barossa accommodation / location taking them on a joyride to the Barosssa ranges. On the guided hike people will see the natural bushland full of silver banksias, stringybarks and gum trees on a two and a half to three hour easy to moderate hike.
Once back aboard the trike there is a short stop off at the Menglers Hill lookout for a photo before either heading back to their starting point or taking the optional extra stop at the recently opened Artisans of Barossa cellar door for a regional platter and tasting of seven of the finest small winemakers wines in the Barossa.
Channel nines ‘Postcards' crew recently spent the day filming with ‘Barossa Trike Tours' to showcase the new tour which aired on Sunday 19 June 2011 ----> check out the video here!
For more information on Barossa Trike Tours please contact Tony Tscharke on 0438 623 342 or visit www.barossatriketours.com.au
April 2011
Artisans of Barossa NEW Cellar Door
Artisans of Barossa is a group of like-minded producers with a common goal to protect and promote small batch, sub-regional winemaking.
At Barossa's newest cellar door, you can sample not one or two, but seven individual wineries, with different winemaking styles representing the breadth and diversity of the Barossa.
The Artisans of Barossa Cellar Door is open 11am - 6pm Wednesday - Sunday and is located on the outskirts of Tanunda. Just over an hour's drive from Adelaide, you will find our Cellar Door on the corner of Magnolia and Light Pass Roads.
In addition to traditional tastings, themed wineflights are available for purchase and include a Barossan pour of one wine from each Artisan as well as a sample plate of local Barossa produce.
For more information on Artisans of Barossa Cellar Door please visit www.artisansofbarossa.com. Private tastings with Artisans can also be arranged with prior notice, through Cellar Door on 08 8563 3935.
Barossa Weintal Hotel/Motel
The Barossa Weintal Hotel/Motel has changed ownership and is now managed by Country Club Hotels and Resorts and has been renamed as a 'Hotel/Motel' rather than 'Resort' to reflect the experience they are offering.
Although there is a change in name and ownership, the Barosa Weintal Hotel/Motel still offers a selection of accommodation rooms, conferencing facilities and garden restaurant.
Another new change to the property is its new packages, including the new Barossa Indulgence package, which includes:
• 3 nights accommodation in a Standard Room
• Cooked breakfast, daily
• 3-course set menu dinner in the Garden Restaurant on one evening
• Butcher, Baker, Winemaker Trail self guided experience, including voucher book,
souvenir hamper & bottle of wine
$655* per couple
Visit the Barossa Weintal Resort Website for more information and fabulous packages!
March 2011
Congratulations Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage
At the 2010 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards held in Perth on Friday 11 March 2011, Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage won the Hosted Accommodation category. It was one of only two South Australian tourism businesses to win at national level from 26 categories.
The 1860s German settler's cottage, set in the owner's private vineyard in the Barossa Valley, was saved from demolition in 2002 and opened in 2004 after a 2 year restoration project. Since 2005 the business has won 6 South Australian Tourism Awards and 2 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards and has been inducted into the South Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame.
Owned and hosted by wine producers Peter Milhinch and Sharyn Rogers who live nearby in their own residence, Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage offers the discerning traveller premium, boutique vineyard accommodation, within the privacy of their own cottage. Visitors from around the world enjoy the cottage and its heritage features which combine seamlessly with modern luxuries, including underfloor heating, Bose sound systems and wireless broadband internet.
Guests can immerse themselves in an authentic Barossa food, wine, and heritage experience. Barossa hospitality is at the core of the region's culture and Peter and Sharyn are proud to continue this tradition.
For more information please contact Sharyn Rogers on 0409 545 995 or email stay@seppeltsfieldvineyardcottage.com.au
Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage
The Barossa is recommended for Luxury Travel
Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report, the most respected publication in luxury travel, announced in its March 2011 issue the recommendation of two Barossa Accommodation properties; Abbotsford Country House and The Louise.
Andrew Harper's recommended properties possess exceptional character, a commitment to classic hospitality and a profound sense of place. Mr. Harper does not evaluate hotels by means of a checklist, but uses his three decades of experience to distinguish the truly enchanting from the merely excellent.
About Andrew Harper
Free of advertising since its inception in June 1979, Hideaway Report is a private monthly publication for sophisticated travellers. The selection of hotels, resorts and restaurants for inclusion in this publication is made on a completely independent basis, with Andrew Harper, Inc. paying full rate for all meals, lodging and related travel expenses. Andrew Harper and his editors travel incognito to write opinionated and unbiased travel reviews for a private membership service, which provides personalised travel-planning assistance, bespoke tours and valuable travel privileges to its members.
For more information about Abbotsford Country House please email Julian Maul on relax@abbotsfordhouse.com, or for information about The Louise please contact Andrew Morphett on andrew@thelouise.com.au. For more information about Andrew Harper please visit www.andrewharper.com
Abbotsford Country House
The Louise Luxury Vineyard Retreat
January 2011
The Reserve Barossa Valley
The Reserve Barossa Valley is one of the regions newest luxury accommodation providers.
Located on Seppeltsfield Road, The Reserve Barossa Valley sits quietly on four acres, and offers luxurious self catering accommodation for up to 10 people.
With five contemporary bedrooms, three new bathrooms, several living and dining areas and large country style kitchen and open fire place, the Reserve is a stylishly renovated home with all the mod-cons.
All spaces have magnificent views of the Shiraz vines with manicured gardens, huge outdoor entertainment area with a pizza oven, BBQ and 6 person spa.
The property also has its own Orchard featuring apples and pistachio nuts, not to mention its own kitchen garden!
For more information please contact Simone Tanner on email or phone 0414 745 112.