Tour Down Under in Barossa – Tuesday 21 January
14 January 2020
by Jess Ruciack
It’s nearly that time of year again – Tour Down Under – when there are bikes and people everywhere. The atmosphere the race brings to our state is quite remarkable. And our region is lucky to have a whole stage start and finish here: Stage 1 on Tuesday, 21 January – next week!
The race is held in January each year, making it the first event on the international cycling calendar – a great place for riders to gear up for the year ahead. This is also a great time to see South Australia; from beautiful beaches to vibrant green vineyards and all the towns in between. Adelaide also features as a fabulous home base for riders and spectators alike.
Last year Daryl Impey made history as the first male rider to go back-to-back, claiming his second Santos Tour Down Under general classification. Amanda Spratt claimed her third consecutive victory in the women’s race – quite an amazing feat. What will the 2020 race bring?
Stage 1 – the route
This stage is a 30km loop that will completed 5 times by riders, so there is plenty of opportunity to watch the peleton zoom past. Ziptrak® Stage 1 will start (11am) and finish in Tanunda, with a large 30km circuit connecting Bethany, Angaston, Penrice and Nuriootpa. Sprints and King of the Mountain will be in Angaston.
The route rides straight past our driveway entrance, so our Cellar Door will be the perfect stop for you as a spectator in between the riders completing another loop.
I just love the zooming speed of the peloton as they negotiate the road, obstacles and each other. It is quite thrilling to be so close! We’ve been lucky to have the race come past Elderton a few times in the last 7 or 8 years, and to have the opportunity to be so close again this year is exciting.
Visit Cellar Door between laps
If you like a tasting paddle, you’re going to love our wine version – enjoy 4 chilled wines of your choice whilst sitting under our Cellar Door verandah. And if you’re feeling peckish then add a local produce platter to your table. Our outdoor area is dog friendly, so you’re welcome to bring your furbaby with you.
If you’d like to try more of our wines, then by all means, please join us for a wine tasting at the Cellar Door bar!
Other great places to visit along the route
Long lunch at Vintners (between Nuriootpa and Angaston).
Grab a quick lunch at Linke’s bakery in Nuriootpa or just eat cheese at Barossa Valley Cheese Company in Angaston!
Coffee at Fleur Social in Nuriootpa, Casa Carboni in Angaston or Darling’s Cafe in Tanunda.
Gin stop at Barossa Distilling or a cool, refreshing drink at the AP (Angas Park Hotel) or the Vine Inn.
Tour Down Under fun
Team Tinkoff Saxo had stopped by pre-TDU whilst out training that year (2014) when they saw our centipede bike out the front – it was so cool to see a pro team hop on our bike for a photo!
Team Tinkoff Saxo visited our Cellar Door during their training in 2014
Best of luck for 2020!
So if you’re heading to the Barossa for the Tour Down Under, add us to your itinerary and pop in to see Jodhi and Reece at Cellar Door and enjoy a tasting or maybe a cheese plate and glass of wine.
We wish all the riders and teams the very best for the 2020 TDU. Here’s to a thrilling race!
