Barossa Valley guide: 20 best-kept secrets according to locals

WE all visit there. We think we know our way around it. But being our most famous wine region, the real Barossa can sometimes escape us. Here’s the region’s best-kept secrets, according to the true locals.

WE all visit there. We think we know our way around it. We drop in to our favourite venues. We tick the popular boxes.

But being our most famous wine region the real Barossa can sometimes escape us.

What better way to learn about what makes the Valley so special than ask the true locals — so that’s exactly what we did.

From bakeries to butchers, wine, coffee and cheeses, a few secret nature getaways, and the best of the Barossa Vintage Festival which starts today, here’s their own guide to what makes the Barossa so appealing.

SHOP

Volunteer Wendy Schiller at Allerlei, a little community store in Tanunda. Picture: Matt Turner.

Allerlei

German for “all kinds of things”, this treasure trove of a shop, run and supplied by local volunteers, stocks fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers from local gardens, homemade biscuits, slices, jams and chutneys as well as hand-knitted children’s jumpers and tea cosies and a wonderful array of “retro” tea towels. “All just like my grandmother used to make”, writes Annabel Mugford. Just remember, this shop has no phone, no website and only takes cash.

Shop 6/76 Murray Street, Tanunda, open 10-4.30pm daily

Linke’s Central Meat Store,

More than any other local food outlet, Linke’s was THE place mentioned, with praise for everything from its ham and other smallgoods to its 3cm-thick rump steak. Seppeltsfield’s Chad Elson rates the Tomahawk rib eyes, cut in front of you, while cook Mark McNamara loves the rump steak, cut properly thick at about 3cm.

Susan Papps, from Yelland & Papps winery, is a fan of “amazing ham that gets demolished very quickly in our house” plus beautiful mettwurst, while Prue Henschke can’t go past the Lachsschinken, the smoked eye fillet of pork, very thinly sliced. Roll some around a quarter of dill gherkin, or with horseradish and quark for a German-style platter, Prue suggests.

27 Murray St, Nuriootpa

Apex Bakery at Tanunda.

The Bakeries

One of the most famous stops in the Barossa, Apex Bakery in Tanunda is renowned for its breads, but a couple of locals also suggest more. It has the best pies, pasties and Bienenstich cake in the world, says Helen Burge, a self-confessed Barossa bakery specialist.

“But the Williamstown bakery has the best custard tarts.”

Then there’s Tanunda Bakery, whose Ciabatta loaves are amazing, says Mark McNamara. But note, you can only guarantee availability on Fridays.

At Christmas time, Pernod Ricard’s Ruth Harris tells us Apex still makes a special treat — small meringues sprinkled with coloured sugar crystals — that was always a highlight of her family’s yuletide celebrations.

Apex Bakery, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tanunda, 8563 2483, apexbakery.com.au

Baker St, 1-3 Queen St, Williamstown, 8524 6246

Tanunda Bakery, 181 Murray St, Tanunda, 8563 0096, tanunda-bakery.com.au

Foodland Supermarket, Nuriootpa and Tanunda

Find stocks of Barossa-made produce including Schultz’s amazing bacon, Steiny’s mettwurst and Wiech’s egg noodles — “all local, all amazing and all very accessible”, says Natalie Schaefer, Grant Burge marketing manager. “I just love that I can go to a supermarket and get very local produce that is only normally available at the markets.”

GRAZE

Northern Italian chef Matteo Carboni at Casa Carboni.

Casa Carboni

Northern Italian chef Matteo Carboni and his Australian wife Fiona run this Angaston gem where many locals say you will find one of the Barossa’s best cups of coffee, plus much more, such as its cooking school which also opens for lunch Wednesday to Sunday, wine bar and bites on Fridays.

Justine Henschke is one to recommend the pasta and Italian platters, and it is also a great place to buy imported wines and quirky gourmet gifts.

67 Murray Street, Angaston, 0415 157 669, casacarboni.com.au

Bar 41

At the southern end of the Valley, a new cafe, Bar 41, on Williamstown’s main street, has attracted local attention, especially from winemaker Natasha Mooney.

Owner/chef Marco Rakic is doing some really cool food and baking a lot of different breads and pizza bases, Tash says. And there’s a different special for lunch each day he’s open (Wednesday to Sunday).

41 Queen St, Williamstown, 0413 926 979, bar41.com.au

Wursthaus

For a quick lunch and taste of the Barossa’s German heritage, drop into this long-time fixture in Tanunda’s mainstreet for a kransky roll with sauerkraut and plenty of mustard.

86 Murray St, Tanunda, 8563 3598

Andrew Dundon, director of the Barossa Vintage Festival, at Keils Fine Foods and Coffee, Tanunda. Picture: Matt Turner.

Keils Fine Food & Coffee

Barossa Vintage Festival director Andrew Dundon has become a regular at this small coffee shop in the heart of Tanunda, which is now his second office and meeting haunt. The service and coffee are second to none, Andrew says, and topped off with a mean Club Sandwich for a quick lunch.

1/63-67 Murray St, Tanunda, 8563 1468

The Table Cafe

The Table Cafe at Lyndoch gets a big tick for breakfast from Helen and Trent Burge. “Josie and her team are doing a great job,” they say. “It’s a fantastic little secret venue.”

28-30 Barossa Valley Way, Lyndoch, 8524 4074

CELLAR DOORS

Chef Owen Andrews and Master Cooper Andrew Young at the Seppeltsfield cooperage. Picture: Matt Turner.

Seppeltsfield Unearthed

The new cellar door, Fino restaurant and the Jam Factory craft precinct are all compelling reason to visit the brilliant re-imagining of historic Seppeltsfield. But this vast property has many buildings that the public hasn’t been inside, at least for many years. That’s the thinking behind the Unearthed series, in which dinner, a wine bar, live music and other activities take place in these spaces. For the Vintage Festival, the Seppeltsfield cooperage is the venue for an event that promises plenty of noise and fireworks from the traditional barrel making.

The Cooperage, Seppeltsfield, 6.30pm-late tomorrow. Bookings on 8568 6200

Winemaker Susan Papps from Yelland and Papps.

Yelland & Papps

BVF director Andrew Dundon prefers the many smaller, off-the-beaten track Barossa family-owned wineries and cellar doors that the crowds tend to miss. One of his faves is Yelland & Papps where you find yourself invited into the family home that is kitted out with lovely rustic furniture and long Chesterfield lounge. It’s great to block out an hour and stop for a chat, says Andrew. Head there on Sunday for a Spanish breakfast.

279 Nuraip Rd, Nuriootpa, 8562 3510, yellandandpapps.com

Damien Tscharke, a 6th-generation grape grower and winemaker pictured at his winery Tscharke wines, Marananga. Picture: Matt Turner.

Best in the west

Regional uber-cook Mark McNamara fancies the western side of the valley for a trio of more unique cellar door experiences. He recommends Tscharke for its quirky cellar door space, Kalleske, for an amazing little private dining room in the cellar for up to 10 people, and Two Hands for its very smart and indulgent tasting program.

Tscharke and Kalleske are both hosting festival events.

Tscharke, Seppeltsfield Rd, Marananga, 8562 4922, tscharke.com.au

Kalleske, 6 Murray St Greenock, 8563 4000, kalleske.com

Two Hands, 273 Neldner Rd, Marananga, 8562 4566, twohandswines.com

Lou Miranda

Cellar door meets trattoria in this Barossa wine experience with a difference. Winemaker Marc van Halderen is a fan of the gourmet pizzas and eclectic atmosphere at this traditional family-owned business where the restaurant opens for lunch each day.

Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat, 8524 4537, loumirandaestate.com.au

OTHER DRINKS

Darryl Trinne at his Barossa Brewing Company, a historic 1860s former wheat store at Greenock. Picture: Matt Turner.

Greenock Tavern

The Greenock Tavern has come back to life both as a drinking spot and for its pub food.

It’s a great place to sample Daryl Trinne’s Barossa Brewing Company “Victorville Ale”, says Mark McNamara. “I am a big believer that real beer is best drunk close to source and you can’t get much closer than this, just sack trucked across the road,” Mark says. He also loves Rehn Beer, a small boutique brewer of serious, well crafted BIG beers (all 500ml) available at the farmers market and Artisans of Barossa.

Greenock Tavern, 2 Murray Street, Greenock, 8562 8136

MARKETS

Penny Rafferty, Mike Collett and Matilda Collett who sell homegrown produce at the Full Moon Farmgate market in the Barossa.

Full Moon Farm Gate

This market could be better named the Blue Moon Farm Gate given it pops up so rarely at historic Langmeil winery. Convener Cherie Hausler, also owner of Scullery Made Tea, has pulled together a collection of friends and supporters from around the Valley to sell homegrown fruit and veg, oils, nuts and grains, bread and other treats, as well as a range of jewellery, soaps and other handcrafted goods — nothing used is animal-based. Don’t miss the chance for this rare event this Saturday as part of the Barossa Vintage Festival.

Langmeil Winery, 4pm-8pm Saturday, adults $15, children free, details via Facebook

Leeanne Halfpenny at her vegetable stall at the Barossa Farmer’s Market.

Barossa Farmer’s Market

This Barossa Saturday morning ritual is hardly a secret, but the local community have a few tips for must-visit stands. Eleni’s Barossa Handmade Produce is a favourite of many of our tipsters with its speciality pies, focaccia, bread and seasonal fruit tarts.

The thick cream from Jersey Fresh Cream makes the best homemade butter, while Barb Storey uses the pouring cream if she’s making ice cream.

Just across the aisle from Jersey Fresh, Barb goes to Margaret Ellis with her range of dried fruit.

And watch out for occasional appearances from Esme Hein, a Barossa Legend and the best home cook in the valley with her amazing jams, German cake, biscuits and preserves. “Seriously, everything she makes is delicious,” says Mark McNamara.

Vintners Sheds, cnr Nuriootpa and Stockwell roads, Angaston, www.barossafarmersmarket.com

Farmgate orchards

Buy your seasonal fruit straight from the grower at one of the Barossa’s orchards with farmgate sales. Trevallie, neighbouring Yalumba winery, has an honesty box system for its apples, pears and stone fruit. Sokool Orchards, a short drive away at Stockport, is run by Chris Kutcher, a research scientist who is on his way to a PhD.

Trevallie Orchard, Cnr Hurns and Eden Valley Rds, Angaston, 0422 370 237

Sokool Orchard, Lot 344 Research Rd, Stockwell, 8565 7296

SOMETHING MORE ...

Music and art

Music and the arts have long flourished in the Barossa, with many locals involved in choirs, ensembles and various forms of craft. The jaw-dropping sight of the 1977 Hill and Son Grand Organ on stage at the Barossa Regional Gallery is one of the gems in the Barossa, Margaret Lehmann says. It took 18 years to restore and now organists all over the world clamour to come and play it, including New Zealander Martin Setchell for the Vintage Festival.

The Barossa Arts and Convention Centre is one of the jewels of the Barossa, a world class venue with diverse shows and great entertainment. And ticket prices are less than a meal at the local pub, says fan, Jacob’s Creek chief winemaker Bernard Hickin.

Check the Barossa Vintage Festival program for details of many different shows

Barossa Regional Gallery, Basedow Rd, Tanunda, barossagallery.com

Barossa Arts and Convention Centre, 130 Magnolia Rd, Tanunda, 8561 4299

The great outdoors

Menglers Hill Lookout is a popular local haunt suggested by several of our correspondents. Artist Rod Schubert lists the “world standard” sculpture park there as one of his must visits, while Andy Kalleske from Atze’s Corner Wines suggests grabbing a Barossa Deluxe pizza from 40s Café in Angaston and a bottle of your favourite red and heading up to the lookout at sunset in the autumn.

For walkers, suggested trails include a route up the Bethany Creek (particularly in spring) and the Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park, just above Tanunda. For cyclists, the Jack Bobridge Bike Track weaves through vineyards en route from Gawler to Tanunda.

The Tanunda Kegel Club

The perfect place for a unique get-together in the Barossa. Dating back to 1858, the club was the venue for a game — a precursor to today’s tenpin bowling — played by the Valley’s early Silesian settlers. League competitions are played on Thursday and Friday nights with the venue being available for hire on weekends. Visitors are welcome to watch and there’s a small bar and viewing area in the hall.

For venue hire and further information contact Geoff Nicolai: 8563 3704, 0401 424503

CREDITS

Thanks to all our Barossa insider guides:

Margaret Lehmann, Mark McNamara, Natalie Schaefer, Tony Yap, Chad Elson, Susan Papps, the Henschke family, Barbara Story, Marc van Halderen, Andrew Dundon, Ruth Harris, Helen and Trent Burge, Natasha Mooney, Bernard Hickin, John Duval, Andy Kalleske, Rebekah Richardson, Daryl Trinne, Annabel Mugford.

Go to www.barossavintagefestival.com.au for a full program of the 2015 Barossa Vintage Festival, April 15-19.