We took advantage of the long Easter weekend to explore the Barossa Valley, about an hour's drive north of Adelaide. We did the 45 minute flight from Melbourne to Adelaide on Friday (flying with G at 6 months was very different than at 3 months...I'm already having anxiety attacks about our transpacific flight back to Canada when she is 15 months!) and stayed three nights at a neat motel in Lyndoch. The place was quaint and very much what you might expect from a wine country accommodation - the atmosphere was casual and laid back and the people (owners and guests) were passionate about great food and wine. A good bonus was that they offered to walk our meals across the grounds to our room each evening so we could eat their delish cuisine on our deck, allowing G to sleep soundly (in her pack-n-play which we strategically placed in the bathroom).
We spent the weekend exploring the beautiful countryside and tasting some great wines. Barossa is the largest and most recognized wine region in Australia, best known for producing some punchy Shiraz. It has an interesting history - many of the people living here are descendants of immigrants from Prussia, so it has a very European (and specifically German) feel about it. There are some big name producers here, Jacob's Creek, Wolf Blass, and Penfolds to name a few. They are fun to visit because of how recognizable they are, but we most enjoyed the smaller producers. Our favourite stops: The Willows (a winery started by a physician who also built and ran the first private hospital on the same property) - loved the Bonesetter shiraz here, and Torbreck.
The Easter Bunny tracked Georgie down in the hotel room and left her a couple of gifts, but no chocolate this year. I, however, ate enough chocolate for the three of us. After all of the goodies this weekend (wine, chocolate, and more wine), I turned over a new leaf when we touched down in Melbourne. Here's hoping it lasts...
In these pics: Scott sampling the famous (and very pricey) Penfolds Grange, Georgia cleansing her pallet, picturesque Barossa
We spent the weekend exploring the beautiful countryside and tasting some great wines. Barossa is the largest and most recognized wine region in Australia, best known for producing some punchy Shiraz. It has an interesting history - many of the people living here are descendants of immigrants from Prussia, so it has a very European (and specifically German) feel about it. There are some big name producers here, Jacob's Creek, Wolf Blass, and Penfolds to name a few. They are fun to visit because of how recognizable they are, but we most enjoyed the smaller producers. Our favourite stops: The Willows (a winery started by a physician who also built and ran the first private hospital on the same property) - loved the Bonesetter shiraz here, and Torbreck.
The Easter Bunny tracked Georgie down in the hotel room and left her a couple of gifts, but no chocolate this year. I, however, ate enough chocolate for the three of us. After all of the goodies this weekend (wine, chocolate, and more wine), I turned over a new leaf when we touched down in Melbourne. Here's hoping it lasts...
In these pics: Scott sampling the famous (and very pricey) Penfolds Grange, Georgia cleansing her pallet, picturesque Barossa
Wow.. Scott should definitely start his own winery! Glad to see that you had a good long weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhahoo guys great to see you had so much fun! Think that is so great you enjoyed some wines from the smaller producers, hopefully ones not get here!
ReplyDeleteNot to worry about your return trip sure plane be full of lots or parents who been there with their kids, besides sure Georgia won't be concerned lol