Don't Miss These Legendary Australian Wineries in Barossa Valley
Explore what makes the Barossa Valley a world class wine region and the must visit wineries (and wine bar) to check out while you're there.
Barossa Valley – My Favorite South Australian Wine Region
If you are only able to visit one wine region while in South Australia, I highly recommend you go for the Barossa Valley. This region has it all! An impressive history dating back to German settlers with vineyards planted centuries ago in the 1840s. Family owned wineries large and small, some of which have prospered through six generations of winemaking. The region encompasses some of Australia’s finest food and wine experiences available. The scenery is absolutely stunning as rolling hills give way to expansive valleys and views that are pull-over-on-the-side-of-the-road-for-a-picture good. Here you’ll find some of Australia’s most iconic names in wine, such as Seppeltsfield and Yalumba. You’ll also have the opportunity to discover countless hidden gems and the Barossa’s rising stars.
Though the Barossa Valley was originally settled by the British and originally developed for agriculture, the region was soon steered toward viticulture like so many others in South Australia. A London banker named George Fife Angas was the largest early landowner in the Barossa with 11,300 hectares to his name. He needed help to work such a massive amount of land and European immigrants, many of them Germans, settled in the Barossa to get to work. These European settlers quickly realized that the soils of the Barossa Valley were well-suited for viticulture and began buying hectares from Mr. Angas to plant vineyards of their own.
Samuel Smith, an English brewer who immigrated to Australia from London with his family of six, purchased 30 acres of land from George and planted the first Yalumba vineyard. In 1847, a Bavarian farmer named Johann Gramp settled on the banks of Jacob’s Creek. He recognized the soil was prime real estate for Riesling and quickly sent home for cuttings. Around a decade later and along with countless other settlers, Johann could see the Barossa Valley was meant for viticulture and expanded his vineyards. Thanks to these early settlers, the Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s most historic wine regions. As innovative winemakers have continued to evolve the region throughout the years, the Barossa Valley is recognized as one of the most iconic and world-renowned wine regions of the country today.
Climate
The Barossa Valley wine region includes the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. The region is known to have a Mediterranean climate characterized by cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. While the winter months see more cool days with some rain, from September to February there are more than enough sunny days encouraging the vines to grow and the grapes to fully ripen.
As can be expected, the valley floor sees warmer temperatures which cool down as the altitude rises into the higher elevations of Eden Valley. There are also a ton of meso-climates due to the region’s many hills and valleys. Compared to the Barossa Valley, at higher altitudes Eden Valley experiences cooler, wetter weather. Day time temperatures in Eden Valley tend to be 2-3°C cooler than the Barossa. During clear nights, Eden Valley may experience temperatures that are 5-7°C cooler, which enhances cool climate varietal flavors and preserves higher acidity. This is one reason why you’ll see a lot of Eden Valley Riesling while wine tasting in the Barossa Valley.
The region has around 11,200 hectares under vine with altitudes ranging from 110m – 600m. The Barossa sees around 220mm in rainfall during the growing season with an average temperature of 22°C. Though temperatures toward the end of the growing season gradually get hotter and drier, reaching 35°C.
Soil
The twisting valleys and undulating hills of the Barossa Valley provide a diverse range of slopes, aspects, and sites for growers to work with. Though soils vary widely, most are encompassed by the lower fertility clay loam family, ranging from gray to brown and red. Some areas even include acidity-preserving shattered limestone.
The Barossa Valley is actually home to some of the oldest continuously producing vineyards in the world. In 2009, the region implemented the Barossa Old Vine Charter in order to preserve, maintain, and promote old vines.
Barossa Old Vine – Equal or greater than 35 years of age
Barossa Survivor Vine – Equal or greater than 70 years of age
Barossa Centenarian Vine – Equal or greater than 100 years of age
Barossa Ancestor Vine – Equal or greater than 125 years of age
Varieties
There are over 40 grape varieties planted in the Barossa Valley, but the top ten varieties make up 90% of the region’s production. By far the most planted variety is Shiraz at around 7,600ha, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Grenache, Chardonnay, Merlot, Semillon, Mataro (Mourvèdre), Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier. Shiraz is definitely the star of the region and Barossa Shiraz is typically full-bodied with ripe fruit, plush tannins, and balanced acidity. Think big, bold, and structured. Though some fruit forward, light, and fun styles are becoming more popular.
Barossa Valley Wineries
Seppeltsfield – Australia’s National Wine Treasure
Why Visit Seppeltsfield?
You want to experience once of the most important wineries in Australian wine history
You’re a huge fan of Port or Port style wines
You’d like to explore the massive estate of an iconic Barossa Valley winery
You consider yourself a foodie and want to experience the ultimate in destination dining
The History of Seppeltsfield
The Seppeltsfield Estate was established in Barossa Valley 15 years after the European settlement of South Australia. Joseph and Johanna Seppelt emigrated from Silesia and purchased 158 acres of land in Tanunda at only £1 per acre. Joseph designated the land Seppeltsfield with the original intention of planting a tobacco farm.
Joseph quickly realized the land was better suited to grape growing. He followed suit of many of the neighboring German immigrants, changing course to focus the estate’s efforts on viticulture and winemaking. When the time came to produce the first Seppeltsfield vintage, the wine was produced in the farm’s dairy. The estate didn’t yet have a working winery as the property was more of a working farm. So the Seppelts went to work and over the next 12 years built an impressive gravity flow winery that is still used today (following a few renovations).
In the 1800s, the Seppeltsfield business was booming. Benno, Joseph’s son, took over the winery when he was only 21. He soon married Sophie, the daughter of the Seppelts’ German neighbors, and together they had 12 kids making Seppeltsfield a massive family business. Due to imperial preference, a system of free trade amongst the colonies of the British Empire, the demand in England for wine and spirits was at an all time high.
The winery was also steadily supplying brandy to hospitals all over Australia for medicinal purposes. Benno had even built his own distillery on the Seppeltsfield Barossa Valley estate so he could ramp up Brandy production and make fortified wines more efficiently. But can you imagine going to the hospital and being served up a glass or two? Today the concept seems ridiculous, but back then brandy was used to treat fevers, as a sedative, as anesthesia via inhalation, etc. Thank god for modern medicine!
Seppeltsfield continued thriving in the 20th century as the Seppelt family decided to expand within the liquor industry. Along with wine, the Seppelts also produced Brandy, Gin, and Vermouth, as well as vinegars, cordials, and essences. The Seppelt family is revered as one of Australia’s most long-lasting and expansive wine dynasties with ownership of the winery from the 1800s all the way up until 1985. At this time, Seppeltsfield went under corporate ownership for around three decades. In 2007, winemaker and viticulturist Warren Randall purchased Seppeltsfield. Warren had actually worked for the Seppelt family in the 1980s and is still the proprietor today.
Warren accomplished a great feat with the acquisition, successfully preserving the history and originality of Seppeltsfield while showcasing the winery in the modern day world of wine tourism. A true renaissance for this Australian wine gem. All of the Seppeltsfield wines were being made offsite when Warren took over. He decided to recommission the original gravity flow winery and today all Seppeltsfield red wines are processed onsite.
Seppeltsfield has become even more famous for its Centennial Collection, offering an unbroken lineage of Tawny Port style wines for every vintage from 1878 to the the current year. The estate is home to massive solera cellars full of Australian Sherry, crossing Fino and Oloroso styles, Tokay, and Muscat. Today, Seppeltsfield successfully merges Barossan history, community and winemaking, offering an unparalleled experience in tourism, dining, and fine wine.
Tastings & Experiences
If you’re making a trip to Barossa Valley, definitely plan a visit to Seppeltsfield because the estate truly has something on offer for everyone. Gorgeous architecture, gardens, a non-profit craft shop and workspace for local artisans, Vass Virgin skincare, the best in gastronomy, oh and wine tasting and tours, of course! Be prepared to be in awe of the sheer amount of options available.
Hentley Farm – Premium Wines from Historic Red Soils
Why Visit Hentley Farm?
You want to visit one of the most unique tasting rooms ever
You’re in search of premium, site-specific wine in Barossa Valley
You can get behind the idea that truly great wines are made in the vineyard
You want an authentic dining experience in which you can literally get a taste of the surrounding scenery
The Story of Hentley Farm
Hentley Farm began as a pursuit to discover the best possible piece of land for producing premium red grapes in Barossa Valley. Founders Keith and Alison Hentschke conducted extensive research before landing on the red soils of the 150 acre vineyard and farming property located in the Seppeltsfield area. Keith relied on an old 1950s soil map of the region to seek out the best parcels of land, eventually landing on Hentley Farm in the 1990s. He first set out to perfect the vineyards with the intention of allowing the characteristics of each individual vineyard block to shine through in the bottle. The first wines were released years later in 2002 and Hentley Farm has been making premium single vineyard block wines from their estate, red soil vineyards ever since.
The Hentschke family actually settled in the Barossa Valley in the 1840s. Keith grew up on his family’s property in Lameroo before studying Agricultural Science and Wine Marketing at Roseworthy College. His extensive experience within the wine and agricultural industries are what guide Hentley Farm’s founding belief that great wines begin with deliberate and studied vineyard selection.
Tastings & Experiences
Prepare to be blown away by the beauty and red soils of the vineyards as you drive onto Hentley Farm’s massive estate. The cellar door at Hentley Farm is one of the most unique tasting rooms I have ever been in and makes the experience of tasting these incredible wines all the more spectacular! The cellar door is housed in the farm’s original 1840s homestead. The interior has been completely restored and manages to capture the homestead’s authentic charm with just a touch of modern elegance.
Two Hands Wines – Unforgettable Regional Shiraz
Why Visit Two Hands Wines?
You are a Syrah lover (or Shiraz as the Aussies say)
You want to experience different wine regions of South Australia, but don’t have the time or budget to visit them all
You want to understand how a singe variety can be influenced by different vineyard locations, soils, climates, etc.
You want to experience the best Shiraz that Barossa Valley has to offer
‘Quality without compromise.’ A simple yet powerful philosophy that drives all winemaking decisions at Two Hands Wines. A philosophy easily recognized in the finished wines and one which led to international acclaim from some of the world’s top wine critics.
Two Hands Wines focuses on producing wines that reflect their origin and illustrate qualities widely associated with the regions in which they were grown. The winery works with their own estate vineyards and a carefully selected team of growers throughout South Australia to maximize vineyard potential year after year.
Two Hands Wines was conceptualized in 1999 when two friends, Michael Twelftree and Tim Hower, got to talking at a friend’s engagement party. While Michael’s professional background was in construction and Tim’s in the oil and gas industries, a passion for premium wines brought them together. Tim had visited the Barossa region countless times while on business trips to Adelaide over the years and even acquired a few vineyards of his own. The business relationship between the two began with Tim supplying Michael with fruit for Two Hands Wines.
Later in 2015, Tim joined Michael as an additional Proprietor of the winery. Ben Perkins is the Chief Winemaker at Two Hands Wines. Growing up in Barossa Valley, he developed an interest in wine at a young age. Ben actually started at Two Hands as a cellar hand, working his way up to Assistant Winemaker in 2010 and then Chief Winemaker in 2013.
Tim and Michael began Two Hands with the intention of disrupting the trend of multi-regional wines that Australia was becoming increasingly recognized for on an international scale. They set out to make the best Shiraz possible while showcasing the specific characteristics of each of Australia’s premium growing regions. The journey began with a small investment and just 17 tons of fruit with the first vintage produced in 2002. With the help of Michael’s wine industry contacts in the U.S. and U.K., followed by highly favorable reviews, Two Hands Wines began to take off.
By 2004, Two Hands had become so successful the team was ready to build a state of the art winery in Barossa designed specifically for small batch handling. In order to truly highlight the characteristics of various regions and to elevate quality control, the winery was designed with the intention of processing each parcel of fruit separately from crushing through to fermentation to oak maturation. The new winery helped to increase both production and opportunities for experimentation. While the cellar door served as the perfect place for trials before wines went to market.
As Two Hands continued to grow, so did the accolades. Sales surged when Robert Parker named the winery “the finest negociant south of the equator” allowing Two Hands to expand into markets including North America, Asia, and Europe. Two Hands is also the only winery to be in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list consecutively for a decade as of 2012.
Tastings & Experiences
If you are a wine lover, an aficionado, Syrah lover, or even if you are just getting started in the world of wine, Two Hands Wines is a must visit in Barossa Valley. In one tasting, you will get to try Shiraz (and other varieties) grown in Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley, Clare Valley, and Heathcote. The super fun and knowledgeable cellar door staff will expertly guide you through the tasting, explaining how the climate and soils of each specific region influence the wine in your glass. Trust me, you will taste the difference!
Additionally, Two Hands produces Chardonnay, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery works with 28 growers amongst 6 wine regions. Even with so many vineyards and growers involved, Michael makes all of the picking decisions based on flavor and tannin ripeness determined on early morning walks amongst the vines during harvest.
Two Hands Wines offers something for everyone price wise with five different series available to choose from in their portfolio.
The Flagship Series is made from the very finest selection of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache in any given vintage.
The Single Vineyard Series are exceptional examples of regional, single site, and varietal definition which contributes to the complexity and personality of each wine.
The Garden Series represents the super premium range of Shiraz from all six regions sourced by Two Hands.
The Picture Series is a premium range based on core Australian varietals with irreverent names and witty stories behind the labels. (One is based on The Big Lebowski and I can get behind anything Lebowski).
The Showroom Series is a collection of the team’s passion project wines. They are produced in very small amounts and are only available in the cellar door or online store.
Henschke – Magnificent Wine 150 Years in the Making
Why Visit Henschke?
You’re looking for one of the most captivating wine experiences in Barossa Valley
You love supporting family businesses and admire multi-generational ones
You want to taste the best of what Barossa has to offer
You’re curious about the secret to six generations of success
The History of Henschke
Henschke is an incredible winery which has achieved winemaking success in the Barossa Valley for over 150 years across six generations. The legacy began with Johann Christian Henschke who emigrated from Silesia to Australia in 1803. His journey was a sad one as he lost his wife and six year old son on the 98 day sea voyage to South Australia. Upon arrival in Australia, Joseph settled in Lobethal near Adelaide where he later remarried and fathered eight more children.
In 1847, Johann became naturalized and was able to purchase land. He and his family settled in Kondorf Village in Barossa and years later purchased land in the North Rhine district of the Barossa Ranges. On this property, Johann and his son developed a self-sustaining farm and planted a small vineyard. He then built a small cellar to produce the first vintages of Reisling and Shiraz, selling the first bottles in 1868.
When Johann died in 1873, his third son from his second marriage, Paul Gotthard Henschke, took over the winery and vineyard management. More vineyards were planted and wine production gradually increased. In 1891, Paul purchased a small vineyard near the Gnadenberg Church which would eventually become today’s prized Hill of Grace vineyard. When Paul Gottard died in 1914, his brother, Paul Alfred, took over the Henschke winery and vineyards.
Paul Alfred eventually married the daughter of the man who planted the original Shiraz vines on the Hill of Grace vineyard. Together they had eleven children, the youngest of which was the next to take over the family business. Under Paul Gotthard, the cellar was expanded with brick and concrete fermentation vats and underground storage tanks. Fortified wines were popular at this time and Henschke was meeting that demand. However, Paul continued to make dry red wines and German white wines also.
Cyril Alfred Henschke was the next to take the reins of the winery. From a young age Cyril had a curious, inquisitive mind suitable for a winemaker. He left high school at 15 years old to gain further winemaking experience working at Hardy’s Siegersdorf Winery. Though this was during the Great Depression when winemaking was taking a backseat to more important farming, Cyril stayed the course and expanded upon the knowledge gained growing up at his family’s winery. Though his dad’s wine era was focused on fortified wines, Cyril believed the region was producing fruit perfect for dry table wines. He began experimenting with production, though initially he had difficulty finding a market for such wines.
In 1979, Stephen Carl Henschke took over running the winery. As Cyril’s youngest son, Stephen demonstrated an interest in science and winemaking from a young age. He gained extensive academic and practical winemaking experience at Adelaide University, in Hunter Valley, at the Geisenheim Institute of Viticulture and Wine Technology in West Germany, and at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. Stephen was excited to implement the knowledge and techniques he had learned over the years at Henschke. He introduced winemaking techniques learned in Germany and upgraded to more flexible refrigeration to improve the quality of the white wines. Stephen also began implementing barrel fermentation within the red winemaking process.
Stephen and his wife, Prue, who also studied at the Geisenheim Institute of Viticulture and Wine Technology in West Germany, eventually purchased land in cool-climate Adelaide Hills. This Lenswood property was used to pioneer viticultural and soil management techniques they learned in Germany, such as vertical shoot positioning to improve fruit exposure. In 1988 and 1989, Stephen and Prue traveled to Burgundy and then Bordeaux to widen their perspectives on viticulture and winemaking. Today, Stephen and Prue have forged their own style of winemaking while continuing the Henschke family heritage along with the help of their children Johann, Justine and Andreas – the sixth generation of the Henschke family.
Tastings & Experiences
The Henschke Cellar Door is housed in the original 1860s structure built by Johann Christian Henschke who was a stonemason by trade. The original dry stone walls of the Grain Barn have been preserved and hint at the family’s depth of history in Barossa. The interior of the cellar door is sleek and modern, yet with a touch of family charm. Photos of the six generations of the Henschke family greet you as you arrive. You can event visit a small museum-like room where Henschke’s awards and prized wines are housed showcasing the family’s incredible history. However, I must say the wine is the true star at the Henschke cellar door. This was by far my favorite winery in Barossa because the wines are truly incredible!
Even better, there is no tasting fee to try a majority of Henschke’s wines. We opted for the free option, but there is an elevated tasting experience where you can taste their premium tier wines for a tasting fee.
Henschke also offers a VIP Tour & Tasting Experience which includes a visit to the renowned Hill of Grace vineyard, a tour of the historic working winery, and an exclusive tasting in the private tasting room. Call or email Henchke for pricing and bookings.
Vino Lokal – Discover Barossa’s Hidden Gems
Barossa Valley has a ton of big name producers and a seriously diverse selection of cellar doors to choose from. But what if you’re looking for boutique producers? The up and coming winemakers? Or those all so elusive winemaker side project labels? Or what if you’re just too overwhelmed with all of the options and want to hit one killer spot? Maybe grab some food too? Enter Vino Lokal.
Vino Lokal is a super dope wine bar with something on offer for everyone. This is the perfect spot for both a fun group gathering and for a more laidback or intimate get together for two. The vibe is sort of retro chic and the tasting list is extensive, well thought out, and representative of Barossa Valley. Plus, there’s food from a hatted chef! I seriously wanted to try everything on Vino Lokal’s menu.
The wines at Vino Lokal are all from local artisan winemakers including John Duval Wines, Hobbs of Barossa Ranges, Spinifex Wines, Schwarz Wine Company, and Sons of Eden. Typically, Vino Lokal has over 50 wines on offer. You can opt to create your own wine flight or for wines by the glass or bottle. I absolutely loved the curated flights they have available.
Each of Vino Lokal’s flights is presented with descriptive cards covering the wine’s tasting notes and producer information. You’re even invited to take the cards home with you to remember what you tasted. We popped into Vino Lokal for a wine flight, but I would happily go for lunch or dinner as the menu looked incredible. Be sure to stop at this fun local hang on your next visit to Barossa Valley! Check out Vino Lokal’s website for more information on the winemakers, menus, and current tasting list.
Thanks for reading Sip with Nik! If you enjoy this content, consider helping spread the word by referring a friend and earn credits towards comped subscription months. Cheers!