Bite-Sized Barossa: Your Next Weekend Away

Take a sojourn this June long weekend to the beautiful Barossa, where tantalising wine, food and landscape await to make you forget the rat race faster than you can say, ”pass the chardonnay”

Where to stay

The Louise

Banks of agapanthus are the summer welcome at this five-star property. A founding member of the Luxury Lodges of Australia portfolio, The Louise has just 15 suites as well as a pool, sun beds, sauna, cool boutique and an art collection curated by co-owner Helen Carreker. With a charcoal, dove grey and crisp white palette, the luxurious rooms have views to the vineyards, a courtyard or two, Bose music system, a beckoning bathroom, plus good reading, eating and drinking. The in-suite breakfast of fresh juice and egg and smoky bacon tart with a dinky side casserole of baked beans is delicious. Rooms start at A$585 per night. thelouise.com.au

Where to eat

Appellation

This is The Louise’s hatted fine diner. A four-course degustation for $135 might include cured kangaroo with native currants, a very pretty greenlip abalone on sweet pea puree, the region’s famous King George whiting, and a sorbet sensation combining wild fennel, apple and ginger. Matching wine is $60 and optional. Ryan Edwards is executive chef while sommelier James Boden has overseen the extensive wine list since January. thelouise.com.au

Local foodies concur that joining Appellation on Barossa’s best list is FermentAsian (Tanunda), 1918 (Tanunda), St Hugo Restaurant (Rowland Flat), Vintners Bar & Grill (Angaston), Hentley Farm Restaurant (Seppeltsfield), El Estanco (Greenock), and 40s Café (Angaston, for pizza).

What to do

Life is a Cabernet

Ralf Hadzic knows the Barossa’s secrets and he’s willing to share them. Life is a Cabernet can take charge of your pick-ups, itineraries and wine tours, organise freight and even conjure up a celebrant to marry you! lifeisacabernet.com.au

Enjoy a local drop

At last count there were 46 cellar doors in the Barossa. Really, you can’t go wrong. But, just down the road from The Louise, in Marananaga, Two Hands Wines makes sense. They’ll pick you up for a short, medium or long day tour that takes in vineyards, views, barrel tastings and a cellar door recce. Souvenir? Two Hands’ Holy Grail Shiraz, $100. twohandswines.com

Cooking class

Opened at Nuriootpa late last year, The Eatery is a casual version of Maggie Beer’s famous Pheasant Farm. Run by Beer’s daughter, Elli Beer, the casual lunch spot doubles as a cooking school headed by chef Tim Bourke (formerly Kangaroo Island’s Southern Ocean Lodge). Learn clever dinner party tricks such as a hand-rolled pasta with kale pesto and fresh ricotta. thefarmeatery.com

 

Looking for a longer, indulgent Southern Australia escape? Why not top or tail your Barossa weekend with a luxury cruise?