Things to do in the Barossa Valley in 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!

It's been a wet and cold start to Winter this year, and we're already seeing green starting to appear in the paddocks – over time this brings 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 are seeding cereal crops, which will provide seas of green by August, and June 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 our Vineyard Manager, Peter, preparing our iconic Command vineyard for the winter prune.

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! 

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 and what to pack

Whilst the winter days can be beautiful and crisp when the sun is out, the valley requires some strategic layering!

• Average Daytime Temp: 12–16°C

• Average Nighttime Temp: 3–6°C

• What to wear: Pack warm clothing with extra layers, a heavy coat, a trusty scarf, and a beanie if you plan to be outdoors past 4:00 PM.

• Winter Activity Tip: Winter is typically our wet season, but on clear days, it is the absolute perfect time to hike the Kaiser Stuhl National Park without the summer heat!

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?

Warm up at our Cellar Door with our Winter Chocolate and Wine Matching Experience or book a back-vintage Command Shiraz flight to taste how beautifully our reds age.

You can 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 visitor information on Barossa.com where you can explore arts, shopping, where all the fireplaces are, and more! When you are here, the Barossa Visitor Information Centre in the main street of Tanunda is also a great place to start for information.

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.

Don't miss spectacular regional events like the Winter Flame torchlight parade in Tanunda, where the community comes alive with fire, light, and winter warmth.

Planning to turn your winter wine tasting into an overnight getaway? Check out our curated blog guide to The Best Places to Stay in the Barossa to find the perfect cozy accommodation for your trip.

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