Wine, wine everywhere and lots of drops to drink! - The Wineries in the Barossa Vally.

What a shame - the rain caught up with us again today, so touring the Barossa was a bit damp, but it certainly didn't dampen our spirits! Perhaps we haven't seen this area at its best but the locals are really happy it's raining  - they need it badly!

There are 80 cellar doors in this fabulous area! - we only scratched the surface today but thoroughly enjoyed our roaming through the vineyards and wineries. The region is renowned for its Shiraz  and   Eden Valley Riesling - both very nice!

It is a really picturesque area with the rolling hills of the Barossa Ranges overlooking a colourful patchwork of vineyards, quaint villages, dotted with historical churches and lovely buildings and heritage cottages. In my element! We can understand why the early pioneers saw it as their own "Garden of Eden".

We learnt a lot about the rich and interesting European heritage that exists in the Barossa. In the late 1830's, after establishing the South Australia Company, George Fife Angas employed mineralogist Johannes Menge to explore the local, after which the Barossa as declared "the cream, the whole cream and nothing but the cream". After this positive advice, Angas assisted the passage of an entire European community, hailing from various Prussian provinces, including German speaking settlers from Silesia - now part of Poland, to set up a piece of the "old world" in the "new world". As a result the tiny hamlet of bethany was established in 1842 and was soon followed by other settlements. The settlers were orderly, hard working people, who were escaping persecution in their home land. They cleared the land for mixed farming, built churches and schools and planted vineyards, some of which have remained in the same family until this day.

So our where did we roam today? First we headed to Lyndoch  and visited Barossa Chateau, Charles Climicky Wines and McGuigan Barossa Valley. Lyndoch itself is one of SA's oldest towns. European settlers built Hoffnungsthal, despite being told by the aboriginal people it wasn't a good site -  they called the area "big waters". Six years later the town was flooded and many of the residents relocated to Lyndoch. Lyndoch, originally a processing centre for local wheat growers, flourished once the first vineyard was planted and is now an integral town in the world-famous Barossa wine industry.

Chateau Yaldara, McGuigan Wines

ClimickyWines

There are many historic Lutheran Churches dotted around the Barossa, built by the early Prussian settlers 

The lovely Lou Miranda Estate at Rowland Flat
Besides its wines it well know for its delectable Italian-inspired lunches  -
their delicious gorgonzola and walnut gnocchi is recommended! 

Next we dropped in at the Jacob's Creek Visitor's Centre were we were impressed with the display and exhibitions which outlined the establishment, the development and management of the vineyard and the winery. Their European heritage was particularly interesting. It was good to see the work they have been doing in order to sustain the environment. We enjoyed tasting a selection of their wines overlooking the picturesque vineyard and the Barossa Ranges.

Amazing! What an interesting find!

They do all their harvesting at night when it is cooler which is important in the fermentation process

Jacob's Creek! - it does exist, it isn't just a name!

It does flood but it is completely dry at the moment - the area badly needs the rain!

Beautiful Grant Burge Wines Barossa was next door.

Takes your breath away it is so beautiful!

From there we took the scenic drive to Mengler Hill Lookout and Sculpture Garden. It was a great view over the Barossa and we could only imagine how stunning it would be basted in sunshine. Another time!:)

Impressive Yulumba had a cosy open fire crackling in the Cellar Door, so it was most congenial tasting the wine by the warm fire, watching the rain tumbling down outside. What a beautiful winery!

Looks right at home! :)

Lovely Angaston was our next stop and a stroll around the town uncovered heritage shops and buildings, great cafes and restaurants, cheese makers, wine bars and antique shops. The autumn leaves on the ornamental grape vines around town were stunning! Loving the autumn colours!

The Angaston Hotel is the oldest pub in the Barossa, 1846

Violet's Garden- gorgeous!

We headed back to Tanunda through Nuriootpa. Thoroughly enjoyed our explore today and we are looking forward to continuing it tomorrow - hopefully without the rain!