Barossa visit suggestions

WINE TALK
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My wife and I will be in New Zealand and Australia in February and we’ve scheduled two days in The Barossa. When we were last there, in March 2020, we were scheduled to visit Dan Standish but had to leave before Qantas stopped flying international flights. He is apparently not taking visitors this year until Good Friday.

Any recommendations for interesting places to visit? We’re looking for two or three scheduled visits and any worthwhile cellar doors that take walk-ins.

(While this isn’t supposed to be a wine oriented trip, any suggestions for Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough, Tasmania and McLaren Vale would also be welcomed.)

Thanks.

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I had a good visit at Yangarra in McLaren Vale. They had some nice library wines for sale.

Don’t know if Fraser takes guests but doesn’t hurt to ask Sami Odi.

Langmeil was a nice stop, and Peter Lehman is right next door.

We did a full day tasting at Penfolds Magill Estate including Grange and then a degaustation at their restaurant.

Shaw + Smith was a good stop on Adelaide Hills

The Barossa has a lot to offer. I’d like to get back there and do more tastings.

Let us know where you go and post a review.

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I would check with the resident local expert
@Jeremy_Holmes !

Sami Odi does not do visits. Fraser sells out of everything ever year thru his existing mailing list and other outlets. Hard to find at retail.

I would try Rockford for old school traditional Barossa wines. Otherwise let Jeremy guide you.

Eat ar Ferment Asia and be amazed by the wine list.

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This. That being said it’s been 25 years since we’ve been there.

We did hire a 1957 Chevy stretch limo with a driver named Colin who took us around the Barossa then. We cut quite a figure

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A few ideas.
Artisans of the Barossa a good cellar door experience as they feature half a dozen producers including John Duval and Sons of Eden.
Alkina Wines a new player but the wines are very smart.
Rockford is amust visit.
For dining in the Barossa, Otherness owned by Grant Dickson (ex Fermentasian) and Vintners bar and Grill, run by the charming and uber efficient Rani.

Near McLaren Vale suggest lunch at Sellicks beach at the Victory Hotel https://victoryhotel.com.au/. A mesmerising wine collection, deep in McLaren Vale classics, Wendouree and Burgundy. Eat simple Kangaroo Island King George Whiting or the local calamari. Sellicks beach is great for a dip too.

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In Martinborough, book a tasting at Ata Rangi for sure. For me Ata Rangi is either the best PN maker in NZ or very close to the best.

Others worth a look at are; Martinborough Estate, Escarpment, Te Kairanga and Schubert (run by a friendly German guy Kai Schubert)

In Hawkes Bay lots of good wineries. Craggy Range is very popular. Also recommend Paritua and Elephant Hill.

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Dan and Fraser are both making superb wines but are visits by appointment only.

Plenty of good cellar doors you can visit including Elderton, Rockford, Henschke, Yalumba, Alkina, Langmeil, Flaxman, David Franz, Turkey Flat and Bethany.

Otherness is a must, fabulous food. Vintners is still excellent as is fermentAsian. The Eatery out at Maggie Beer’s farm shop is terrific for lunch and you can byo. Knead is a new addition in Tanunda and is ok for a casual meal as is Char. Darlings is the go to for coffee. Home of the Brave in Nuriootpa is also very good for a casual lunch.

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I haven’t been there since they opened it, but I’ve heard the restaurant at d’Arenburg in McLaren Vale is pretty great.

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My wife and I enjoyed the modern and clean style of Torbreck. It was fun to try Run Rig but we mostly buy The Factor from them----every year. Nice visit, attentive and friendly staff.

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Thanks for all of the suggestions. A few were already on my list so I appreciate the confirmation.

Craggy Range will be easy because we’ll be staying there.