48 hours in the Barossa Valley

Saturday

South Australia produces much of the nation’s premium wines, and most of that comes from the stunning Barossa, just over an hour’s drive from the vineyard city of Adelaide.

This short road trip is essentially an appreciation of the finer things in life. You will meet the people behind the Barossa region’s success – the venerable estates that have been growing wine since the 1840s, as well as the exciting new winemakers building on traditions. Sample olives, cheeses and charcuterie at a rustic farmer’s market, before settling into a world-class restaurant for a four-hour degustation. And perhaps raise a flute of sparkling wine after a dawn balloon flight over the vineyards – then recline on the deck of your retreat as the sun sets over trellises of shiraz.

The itinerary is designed as a weekend escape from Adelaide with minimal driving. However, to help you get more out of your visit, it includes options to use local operators who can tailor tours to your interests and even your palate. With so much fine wine to taste, they can also remove any worries about who does the driving…

At 8am, leave Adelaide for the pretty town of Angaston, allowing an hour and 20 minutes.

The Barossa Farmers Market in the evocative old Vintners Sheds is one of Australia’s best, buzzing with people and groaning with fresh produce. After a coffee and a few tastings, take a stroll through Angaston with its elegant shops and houses built by the original German and British settlers. Thanks to hands-on volunteers, you’ll find sparks flying at the recently restored Doddridge Blacksmith Shop.

For lunch, scoot just two miles west to Nuriootpa. Maggie Beer is an Australian chef much loved for her approach to celebrating simple, seasonal food. Her Farm Shop and Farm Eatery are in the original family farmhouse, a charming place to eat, taste and even watch cooking demonstrations.

Jacob’s Creek should need no introduction, given that some 70 million bottles are sold each year – though visitors are surprised to learn that the creek is real. At the cellar door you can enjoy lunch and earn a qualification in wine appreciation – part of the half-day masterclass. Alternatively, keep it simple with a gourmet picnic among the gum trees beside the creek.

In the afternoon, you can lose yourself among the fields and vines, stopping at farm gates, cellar doors and sheds wherever you fancy. For a great way to get around, you could take to a Harley Davidson-powered trike with Barossa Unique Tours. You’ll stop at Chateau Tanunda (Australia’s oldest and largest chateau), cruise to historic Seppeltsfield Winery and enjoy the magnificent view from Mengler’s Hill Lookout.

For a night of indulgence, book a table at Appellation in The Louise, which serves wonderful food. The chef has a passion for produce that’s been raised in the surrounding paddocks and is a devotee of techniques including foraging, fermenting, brining and pickling.

Sunday

Ease yourself gently into the morning with a Barossa breakfast on your deck, before heading out to explore some local sights – perhaps The Lyndoch Hill rose garden (featuring 30,000 roses), the flamboyant curiosity Chateau Yaldara (built in 1947 by Hermann Thumm, an ex-prisoner of war) or the historic estate of Yalumba outside Angaston, which has been producing wine since 1849.

Hopefully, you’ve resisted eating too much so far because lunch will be taken up by one of three extraordinary dining experiences. Hentley Farm Restaurant draws people from as far as Sydney and Melbourne for the degustation menu served in a restored stable. Designed around what can be found, foraged or bought locally, the menu comprises two options: the two-hour degustation menu or the four-hour degustation menu (paired with premium wines, of course).

Close to Hentley Farm is the beautiful village of Marananga, with its picturesque Gnadenfrei Lutheran Church, and Seppeltsfield Winery, arrived at via a three-mile avenue of 2,000 date palms. The winery, established in 1850, is home to elegant restaurant Fino, as well as a prestigious design hub called JamFactory. It’s also the site of the Centennial Cellar, where single vintage tawny ports have been matured since 1878. What does a 100-year-old Tawny taste like? This is a rare chance to find out…or try tasting your birth year.

Finally, there’s half a day of epicurean excellence to be had at St Hugo Chef’s Table Experience. After a guided tour and tasting, you can repair to the stone-walled restaurant for the eight-course St Hugo degustation menu. The chefs will discuss their ingredients and techniques with you as they work to bring their menu to life.

After your amazing afternoon, it’s time to relax in your room, sit out on the deck and perhaps open a bottle to toast the weekend. As for dinner – may we suggest something light?

Monday

You’re going to get a pre-dawn start, heading out with one of two local balloon flight operators. You can help to inflate the balloon before taking to the skies in time to see the sun rise over the Barossa Valley. A gourmet champagne breakfast with your fellow passengers and pilot will round off your visit to the region – and leave you with plenty of time for the short journey back to Adelaide.

Where to stay

For a vineyard sleepover, The Louise is the region’s premier boutique retreat and one of the Luxury Lodges of Australia. Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage is a 1860s cottage next door to Hentley Farm on the spectacular palm-lined road, and within easy walking distance of Seppeltsfield Winery. And the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort has something for everyone with views over Jacob’s Creek vineyards on one side and Tanunda Pines Golf Course on the other. Or try your hand at glamping in an eco-friendly luxury tent at Discovery Parks – Barossa Valley.

Black Tomato (020 7426 9888) can tailor-make trips to Adelaide and South Australia starting from £4,512 per person based on two people travelling. Prices include luxury hotels and lodges, experiences, private transfers and domestic flights throughout. Follow the link above to explore their customisable itineraries.

Emirates, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines fly regularly to Adelaide from many UK airports. Return Economy fares from £595 and Business Class from £3,200.