On Our Radar: Luxury lodgings in South Australia’s Barossa Valley

While my knowledge of wine is still in the fledging stages, I always jump at the opportunity to introduce my palate to something new.

So after a recent event with Luxury Lodges of Australia in London, I found myself longing to take in the vistas and vineyards of South Australia’s Barossa Valley. And with more than 78 wineries and 80 public cellar door tasting rooms, oenophiles should have a field day tasting the Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Riesling varieties grown here.

With the state capital of Adelaide close by – a car journey from Adelaide airport to the town of Tanunda in the Barossa Valley takes less than an hour and a half – clients can easily combine the city’s cosmopolitan chic with the valley’s rustic outback charm.

This pairing is already proving popular with Brits, said Janice Kurrle, regional marketing manager UK at the South Australian Tourism Commission, adding that the state welcomed just under 70,000 visitors from the UK between June 2016 and June 2017.

“Adelaide is better connected than it has ever been. From the UK clients can fly one stop with Emirates, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and China Southern Airlines, with many offering regional departures in the UK.

“The connection times in the Middle East mean that flying to Adelaide from London can take as little as 21.5 hours. These airlines also provide great stopover options en route such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.”

Kurrle explained the best way to experience the Barossa is to “think small” and take in tours of the region’s lesser-known boutique vineyards and cellar doors.

“Although these tours can be picked up in Adelaide, to really get the most out of this region clients have to spend a night at The Louise and dine at Appellation.”

A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, The Louise offers guests a number of food and wine experiences, including the chance to blend their own wine at the nearby Penfolds winery before returning for dinner, with one course custom paired with their new creation ($245pp).

The region is also home to the Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park in which guests can take a private walking tour and enjoy a gourmet breakfast surrounded by the park’s kangaroo families from $185pp.

“South Australia offers intimate experiences with locals at a premium level. Barossa’s food and wine offering is built on a produce-to-plate ethos and it is the producers and wine makers who contribute to the story South Australia has to tell,” Kurrle added.