Tips for visiting the Barossa this Winter

The Barossa is a fantastic place to visit year-round, with each season having its own perks. If you are planning on visiting the Barossa this winter, 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.

WINTER IS COSY IN THE BAROSSA

Here in the Barossa it is starting to get chilly – perfect winter weather for sitting by a fire with a big glass of red. Luckily our Cellar Door has both a fire and red wine!

We can now see paddocks becoming green – a nice balance to the vineyards heading into dormancy and the late autumn leaves still hanging on with the last of the autumn colours. Farmers have finished seeding cereal crops, which will provide seas of green by August, and June/July sees ripe olive trees ready for harvest.

VINEYARDS IN WINTER

Winter is the time for vines to just chill. Vines go into dormancy over the winter. Through autumn, the vines are preparing for this dormancy period, by basically pulling all the energy back down into their roots and trunk. This energy has to get them through winter, and through budburst in spring. I particularly like this phrase from the AWRI (Australian Wine Research Institute) “Vines set themselves up with the biological equivalent of ‘anti-freeze’ to ensure live tissue remains for the renewal of growth in the following spring.” To read more about this, check out the AWRI factsheet.

We get out into the vineyard and prune, to set the vine structure up for the coming season. You’ll see teams of people walking through vineyards around the Barossa in rain, hail or shine, pruning all the vines.

Here’s Peter, our Vineyard Manager, with our vineyard before pruning:

And here’s how gorgeous they look pruned:

LIVE LIKE A LOCAL TIPS

Tips from our Co-Managing Director, Allister Ashmead:

What is your favourite place to visit within the Barossa, during winter?
Anywhere with a nice open fire! The Barossa is a great place to visit during winter if you can handle the cold, as it is quieter and people have more time to be even more generous with their hospitality! The vines go into dormancy so it is remarkable to drive around the region and just look at all the amazing old vines, where you can intricately see the crazily gnarled old vines that have weathered every storm whether literally or figuratively. Many of the wines of the Barossa are also perfect for wintery conditions.

If you had friends or family visiting during winter, where is the one spot in the Barossa you would take them?
To the Barossa Farmers Market to see the community work together to provide access to the most amazing produce. I would also take them for walks up and through the Eden Valley ranges where you can enjoy the remarkable views to either the beautiful Eden Valley or the mighty Barossa Valley. I would also take them to Seppeltsfield Road Distillers for a delicious gin and tonic!

Your restaurant tip for a Barossa visit?
Our good friends at Casa Carboni in Angaston do the most delicious home made pasta which is perfect for a relatively quick lunch between cellar door visits. For a more serious option though, book in for a Friday night Italian degustation feast. Matteo is a remarkable chef and a pretty good tennis player! (the only thing to consider is that there are only imported wines on their wine list)

Your wine tip for winter – what will you be drinking?
I always think winter is the perfect time to drink Cabernet and in a more general sense wines with a bit of age on them. It just seems right to see wines with genteel and mature tannins whilst looking at the winter rains come down outside the window.

WEATHER / WHAT TO PACK

Whilst the days can be beautiful when it’s sunny, average daytime temperature is 12-16°C, the nights are particularly cripsy (3-6°C). Winter is generally our wet season. But it certainly doesn’t rain every day so you’ll be able to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking in the Kaiser Stuhl National Park if you’re looking for a break in between wine tastings!

Barossa.com suggests, “Pack warm clothing, with extra layers, and a coat or jacket.” I always have a scarf throughout winter, and a beanie if I’m going to be outside after about 4pm!

WHAT’S ON IN WINTER

So you’re planning your visit to the Barossa this winter – what’s on that you can add to your wine tasting itinerary?

The first place to check out what’s on is the Barossa.com events calendar which lists weekly local favourites like the quiz at The Greenock as well as more bespoke events that might catch your eye.

Check out the suggested itineraries on Barossa.com https://www.barossa.com/visit/suggested-itineraries where you can explore arts, shopping, where all the fireplaces are, and more!

You might like to head to the Barossa Farmers Market to grab all the fresh goodies produced in the Barossa to make your own Barossa meal or afternoon tasting plate.

And for our tips on dining in the Barossa – see our blog for our guide to the best places to eat in the Barossa.

LIVE LIKE A LOCAL TIPS

Tips from Cameron Ashmead, Co-Managing Director:

 

What is your favourite place in the Barossa, during winter?
My favourite winter place in the Barossa is sitting around the fire at home, with a glass of full bodied red watching the football. Luckily there is fire and red almost where ever you are in the Barossa.

If you had friends or family visiting during winter, where is the one spot in the Barossa you would take them?
Pizza at Ember in Nuriootpa. Fun times and great food.

Your restaurant tip for a Barossa visit?
Undoubtedly Vintners.

AND OUR CELLAR DOOR, OF COURSE!

As always, we welcome you to our Cellar Door. We are open 10am – 5pm weekdays and 11am – 4pm weekends. Check out our tasting experiences – from a more casual tasting flight, to a Command Shiraz back vintage tasting, to chocolate and wine matching.

This winter we also have the special Winter Edition Shiraz Masterclass. In this insightful Masterclass, we explore the diversity of Shiraz and the distinctive characteristics of five wines, all estate grown. Featuring the 2019 Command Shiraz and the very rare Helbig 1915 Shiraz. Available at Cellar Door through May, June and July.

While you’re here you can also visit the Small Victories Wine Co cellar door – co-located at our homestead. This is a new range of wines by Jules & Bec, showcasing more of the Ashmead family’s love of wine.

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 winter getaway.

Cheers!