Just 50 mins north of Adelaide the Barossa beckons. Home to some of the oldest vineyards in Australia and some of the best wine in the world.

The problem is that a night or two is just not enough to soak up the rich heritage and the treasures the Barossa has to offer.

Coming from Adelaide, I had spent 20-plus years doing a limousine day trip and the occasional overnight stay in a Bed & Breakfast – ticking off wineries and restaurants without ever truly feeling grounded in the Barossa. I purchased The Reserve Barossa, a country home, more than 10 years ago. It took 2 years to find a place that felt just right – in the middle of it all, with everything on your doorstep. What began as a few weeks exploring what’s nearby has turned into what now seems like a lifelong journey, as I’ve only just scratched the surface of what this region has to offer.

I have rented villas in Tuscany and houses around the world, the Barossa needed a place like that, somewhere to call home for a week that was not that was not a B&B or hotel room but a house with space, acres of lawns and trees and views of vines as far as you can see no matter what season it is beautiful. A place that was 10 mins to anywhere and more likely only a couple minutes. Somewhere to call home but as comfortable as a 5-star hotel while you explore as a couple or a group of friends in the best street in Australia’s best wine region.

Seven days go in a flash and create forever memories — the kind my friends the world over still talk about.

Barossa is home to more than 150 wineries, 80 cellar doors open to the public, and over 100 restaurants and experiences — too many to list.

It’s the characters and people that make the Barossa. The wine — some of the best shiraz in the world — comes from just 10 minutes down the road.

The Reserve Barossa is home base: wood fires in winter inside and out, a game of cricket on the lawn in spring, or a Saturday morning trip to the farmers market loaded with everything you need to make pizzas in the wood oven. Spend a slow afternoon soaking it all in, drinking superb wines you’ve collected directly from the winemakers.

There’s so much to do, it’s overwhelming. Sometimes there’s only time for three or four wineries and a meal each day — so a little local knowledge and a few introductions will go a long way.

Below are just some of my favorite things and how I would spend seven days. Over the coming weeks, we’ll feature Barossa Icons sharing their own perfect week here too.

There’s something special about the Barossa in every season. The events are endless — from vineyard concerts to the AFL Gather Round and the Vintage Festival every second year. One of my favorites is the Marananga Wine Show in late August, where guests stand shoulder to shoulder with growers and winemakers to taste over 100 wine entries.

Here’s a 7-day itinerary for the Barossa Valley, curated to deliver on the bold promise:

Seven Days in the Barossa beats twenty one Days in Tuscany.

DAY ONE

Arrive Friday afternoon and settle in.
Dinner at Ferment Asian – A Modern Asian restaurant a few mins away is spectacular. A local favorite and foodies. Check out the wine archive the late, great Peter Lehmann. No other figure exemplifies the essential spirit of the Barossa more than Peter Lehmann.

DAY TWO

Saturday morning at the Barossa Farmers Market (next door to where you were last night). You can play spot-the-winemaker as all the locals are here. Pick up local produce that’s perfect for your stay at The Reserve over the next few days. They also make great bacon and egg rolls for a local charity, and the local roasted coffee is worth a try if you’re hungry. I try to get there by 7:30am when it opens so I don’t miss out — there are over 50 stallholders.
IT IS ALL SO SO SO GOOD!
- Barossa Valley Ice Cream – make sure you get some to put in the freezer at home for the week.
- The Dairyman – sensational meats for cooking up a storm.
- McLachlan’s Smokery – the smoked fish is yummo.
You’ll have everything you need to cook anything at The Reserve all week.
Mid-morning (make sure you book) head just around the corner, you can almost see them from our back door, to Torbreck to do The Collectors Tasting

Lunch at Staguni just down the road at 427 Seppeltsfield Road. Chef Clare Falzon ex Hentley Farm opened in the old Marananga Primary School, after years of neglect, reborn as a hub of food, drinks and other like-minded local businesses. There is the afternoon right there…
Almost across the road to Greenock Creek Wines. Just spectacular…
Then on to Seppeltsfield Road Distillers 30 seconds away.
Stop into Heritage Wines – Steve Hoff and his vineyard and cellar door on Seppeltsfield Road is a ripper big ballsy Barossa Shiraz. His Rosco’s Shiraz is as Barossa as you can get. He is a top bloke, and you will love the small intimate tasting. Steve is described by James Halliday as one of the ‘quiet achievers of the Barossa Valley
Home to light the Pizza Oven. Put Botticelli on the outside speakers from Spotify and you are in Italy. You can do it yourself with all the bits you purchased at the markets and our pizza frozen boutique bases from Germany or hire an award-winning Pizza Champion Chef in to make it all easy. You have gathered a treasure trove of local wines and enjoy sunset at The Reserve.
Hot Spa before bed or a sneaky nightcap in the library.

DAY THREE

Head over the freeway 10 mins away for breakfast at El Estanco
On the way back drop in and see Joseph at Ballycroft. Joseph used to work at Rockfords and makes some spectacular wines. Make sure you book.
Head to Seppeltsfield and check out the Jam Factory and a bunch of other artesian businesses.
Seppeltsfield Wine Tasting before lunch at Fino right there. It is just sensational.Finish that off with “Taste a 100-Year-Old straight from the Barrel or even the barrel from the year you were born.
Sunday afternoon at the Tanunda Kegal Club gathering. Now you need to book this and get all your drinks and snacks together for a tournament of traditional German 9 Pin in this National Trust shed. It opened in May 1858 and is a spectacular was to spend an afternoon with friends. It’s a legendary place but at the back of the Tanunda Oval. We have the details on how to book.
Dinner if you feel like it but prob time for a wine down back at home with snacks or for the best pub family meal with great bottles at the bar you cant go past The Clubhouse.

DAY FOUR

Barossa from the air morning. Choose your aircraft. Both sensational.
Up super early if weather allows launching a Hot Air Balloon is magical with a glass of Champagne in your hand. Barossa Valley Ballooning or if the weather is not kind for ballooning… or off to Barossa Helicopters “Unforgettable and breathtaking!” That’s how a guest described their scenic flight over the stunning Barossa Valley — and we couldn’t agree more! I’m a helicopter pilot myself and a lot of the stunning photographic work you will see all over the Barossa has been captured by Dragan, he and I have done a lot of great shoots from the air at dawn or dusk.
I and could not agree more that it all comes together in the air. Rolling vineyards, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems you didn’t even know were there. There friendly pilots know the region inside-out and love showing it off from the best seat in the house: a helicopter!
Head out the back of Eden Valley and make the trek to visit Henchske the famous home of Hill of Grace. Do the tasting their whites and reds. If you want to drop $1000 on a bottle of Hill of Grace you can stop by the actual vineyard on the way back for photos and a toast.
This is the map to the spot.
Late lunch at Vintners. It has been my go-to for 20+ years. Vintners has been my go-to for 20+ years.

DAY FIVE

Lazy morning at home.
Pick a winery or three or five on our street. It’s the best street in the Barossa.
Palm Trees line Seppeltsfield Road and has enough cellar doors to keep you busy all year. Visit our friends at Whistler (They have rescue Kangaroos in the enclosure there you can feed) Tscharke (Damien also does a great VIP in is special cellar for serious wine buyers). Prob one of the best wine tasting venues in the world. Two Hands, Barossa Velley Estate (Home of E&E Black Pepper Shiraz)
Or some of the superclose gems. Peter Leahman, Langmeil (Barossa’s Oldest Shiraz Vineyard) Laughing Jack, Pualmara
Degustation Lunch at Hentley Farm never disappoints and you won’t need dinner.
Stop by the Gnadenfri Church on the way home. Walk up the driveway to the west of the Church and I think that is the best view in the Barossa. Once owned by Malcom and Joyleene Seppelt and Gnadenfrie Cellar Door now owned by Torbruck. If to are looking back across the Barossa half way up that road to grapes to the left are the most expeerenive Shiraz grapes in the world, now in Torbrek Wine The Laird at $800 a bottle.

DAY SIX

Tununda Bakery for Coffee and whatever Located in the small quiet town of Tanunda in the Barossa Valley, the Tanunda Bakery offers a wide range of traditional German breads, such as German Rye Sourdoughs, Vollkorn Sourdough Ryes all made from our own sourdough culture. Artisan Sourdoughs are available in white and wholemeal. Other traditional German treats include Bienenstich, German Yeast cake and Streusel Buns, and then of course there are our famous Pretzels too!
Château Tanunda is a Top 5 Wine Destination in the whole of Australia. An Icon of the Barossa, is one of Australia’s most historically significant wineries. Established in 1890, the Château is a cornerstone of the Barossa wine industry and is the site of the Valley’s first winery, as well as its first vineyards planted back in 1843.
The Geber family are custodians of a proud winemaking tradition spanning three centuries. They have put their heart, soul and passion into handcrafting some of the Barossa’s most collectable wines since 1998. The majestic bluestone winery and vineyards are a living testament to the colourful history and pioneering spirit of Australia’s most famous wine region. A VIP Tasting here and a surprise visit from John Geber and Lady Evelyn the conversations will make your year.
Next Stop, Rockford, Rockford Basket Press is one of the most famous Barossa Shiraz’s. It’s a great venue
On your way there you will cross the actual Jacobs Creek on the main road and everyone from overseas wants a photo in front of this little iconic creek.
Lunch 191 8 back in Tanunda The iconic family owned Barossa restaurant is a must visit for anyone seeking an authentic experience.
So an hour before Sunset grab some glasses from The Reserve stop by Tanunda Cellars and grab a bottle of Steingarten Resiling. Up on the hill behind Orlando (Now Pernod Ricard) head up Steingarten Road towards the lookout. Steingarten vineyard, meaning “stone garden” in German, was first planted in 1962 by Colin Gramp on a steep, rocky site in the Eden Valley. The first vintage in 1967 was the first of its kind in Australia. Sunset from here and a toast with this superb dry Riesling to Mr Gramp.
Just before you get home stop by Barossa Valley Chocolate Factory

DAY SEVEN

You can walk if you want through the vines out the back or two-minute drive over to Maggie Beers Farm Shop. Home of Maggie’s Famous Kitchen from the TV Series. The same location as the Pheasant Farm back when it all started. Lots to do and taste here
They have a great restaurant https://www.thefarmeatery.com
You would have grabbed a selection of recommended local wines from the Tanunda Cellars team, perfect for the afternoon at The Reserve.
Dinner with a Private Chef at The Reserve Barossa. Sitting under the vines in Summer watching the sunset or winter with the fires roaring.

DAY EIGHT

Check Out Day but I know you will be back.

Seven Days in the Barossa