Be Consumed by the Barossa – visiting during summer

by Jess Ruciack

The Barossa is a fantastic place to visit year-round, but as locals we particularly love having warmer, sunshiny days and particularly the warmer evenings so we can lounge outside and look at the stars.

If you are planning a visit to the Barossa this summer, we’ve put together some information that might be handy and some insider tips and thoughts on what to see and do while you’re here enjoying the area – live like a local for a few days.

Let’s start with Allister’s tips:

What is your favourite place to visit within the Barossa, over the summer?
Cameron’s swimming pool!
{for those people who aren’t Cameron’s brother, there are public pools available in Nuriootpa (outdoor) and Tanunda (indoor)}

 If you had friends or family visiting over the summer, where is the one spot in the Barossa you would take them?
Long lunching outside on the patio of Vintners, or if it is too warm then inside in the wonderfully well air-conditioned dining room. It is always about great friends/family, amazing food and plenty of delicious Eden Valley Riesling and Barossa Grenache. Also, for first-timers, a trip to Menglers Hill look out and sculpture park and an early-morning or dusk walk through Kaiser Stuhl Conservation park.

The weather is heating up, and we have sunshine and warm/hot days! Pleasant evenings are also ideal for outdoor dining. While average day temperatures are 26-29 Celsius, January and February generally bring more frequent hot days with temperatures of 30-36+ Celcius.

Barossa.com suggests, “Pack light clothing including short sleeved shirts, shorts, skirts and dresses. The sun can be very strong during the summer months, so hats and suncream are also helpful. Local tip: pack a pair of long pants and a sweater in case of a cool evening.”

Around us the paddocks are being harvested as the wheat, barley, canola and more are mature. This is normally finished by Christmas, but this year may run into January due to the late rains we’ve had this year. In our vineyard there is a growing canopy of green, as the leaves keep growing to protect the bunches of grapes that begin to grow towards ripening. If you are here in late summer, you may see some early grape picking occurring (we started with our Chardonnay on 9 February in 2016.)

In late February the community celebrates the Declaration of Vintage, by the Barons of the Barossa. This has some great traditions, with a street procession including the Barons dressed in their ceremonial attire and is very interesting to see. Check out some photos at Barossadirt.

Tips from Karli, who is in our Sales & Marketing team, and has a young family:

What is your favourite place to visit within the Barossa, over the summer?
Not sure our family has one place as such, however we do like to jump on our bikes and use the numerous bike tracks around the whole Barossa (particularly the Nurioopta to Angaston track).

 If you had friends or family visiting over the summer, where is the one spot in the Barossa you would take them?
Again, one spot..? There is a pretty amazing view from Steingarten Lookout (plus it happens to be where Brad proposed to me). The kids also enjoy the Barossa Bowland and Mini Golf in Tanunda, it certainly can be fun (albeit competitive) for the whole family. Okay, that is 2 spots. We also love showing off all the amazing wineries and Cellar Doors, especially Elderton!!

As always, we welcome you to our Cellar Door. Our courtyard is perfect for summer relaxing, with a local produce platter and a glass of wine, or simply a place to rest with a coffee.

For upcoming events check out the Event Calendar on Barossa.com http://www.barossa.com/event-calendar. Barossa.com is also a wealth of information to help plan your visit –  from accommodation and transport, to dining and suggested itineraries. Check out http://www.barossa.com/visit.

When you are here, the Barossa Visitor Information Centre in the main street of Tanunda is also a great place to start for information.

And if you’re one of our Elderton Commanders, then contact Jodhi in Cellar Door to access our concierge service, to help plan the perfect Barossa summer getaway.

Wishing you and your family a happy and safe festive season!
Cheers, from the team at Elderton Wines