What is the Barossa Valley known for?
The Barossa Valley is one of Australia's most famous wine regions, about an hour northeast of Adelaide. It is known for rich Shiraz, German heritage and some of the world's oldest vines.
Settlers from Silesia, then part of Prussia, arrived in the 1840s and planted vineyards, orchards and gardens. Their influence remains in Lutheran churches, bakeries and smallgoods.
Because South Australia escaped the phylloxera pest that devastated vineyards elsewhere, some Barossa vines are well over a century old. These old vines produce intense, concentrated wines.
Wineries and towns
Major producers include Penfolds, Jacob's Creek, Yalumba and Seppeltsfield, whose drive is lined with date palms planted almost a century ago. Small family wineries also offer cellar door tastings.
Towns such as Tanunda, Nuriootpa and Angaston have bakeries, butchers and restaurants. The Barossa Farmers Market is held on Saturdays.
The Barossa Vintage Festival, held in odd-numbered years, celebrates the harvest with parades and events.
The valley is easy to visit on a day trip from Adelaide, though many visitors stay longer in cottages, bed and breakfasts or luxury lodges among the vines.
Did You Know?
Seppeltsfield holds a barrel of fortified wine from every vintage since 1878.