Bellwether Wines Glamping South-East review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

There to meet us as we drove down the gravel entrance into stunning Bellwether Wines were two Scottish Highland cows, their three calves and a grey donkey.

There to meet us as we drove down the gravel entrance into stunning Bellwether Wines were two Scottish Highland cows, their three calves and a grey donkey. They looked up, stared for a moment, and then returned to the business of eating the luscious green grass.

But then came a warmer welcome from Rach, who was working the cellar door, waving to us as we pulled up in front of the rustic Glen Roy shearing shed.

She would go on to say that she gave us such a big wave because she had mistaken us for her boss Sue Bell, the winemaker. But it didn’t matter. She cheerfully ushered us to the 1868 shed and introduced us to Mabel, a maremma sheepdog who had the all-important role of guarding the chickens.

She gave us an informative tour of the shed, which has been transformed into a unique cellar door and house for their wine barrels.

It felt more like my grandmother’s home, with a teaspoon collection on the wall, knitted teapot cozies, and vintage furniture scattered around the shed.

Rach, who has a brewing background from Victoria, knew her wine. And was a laugh. She took us through the Bellwether Wines collection, from their vermentino to their rosato to their tempranillo.

Bellwether Wines. Picture: Meagan Dillon

We then got to pick a bottle to take to our bell tent for a night of glamping. We chose the riesling.

Surrounded by magical 500-year-old gum trees, we walked to a paddock behind the shearing shed to find our tent, holding a picnic basket with towels, lights, hot water bottles and eggs.

As the sun was setting, we got comfortable in our bell tent – which had amazing views of a paddock – and enjoyed a glass of wine.

The tent was kitted out with two single beds, a trendy rug, beautiful bedding and books. We were definitely camping in style. There was even a gas heater for us on this cold spring night.

Not long after, Rach came to visit us holding a freshly baked loaf of sourdough bread wrapped tightly in a tea towel. She tells me to hold it like a baby, close to the body, to make the most of the warmth as well as soak up the distinct and delicious smell of fresh bread.

It was the little things that made the stay at Bellwether Wines so enjoyable.

Everyone we met had such a laid-back attitude, and clearly loved the Coonawarra region. The wine was top-notch.

Bellwether Wines’s glamping tents Picture: Meagan Dillon

And for those not keen on glamping, Bellwether Wines also had powered and unpowered sites for people who like to stick to regular camping.

The camp kitchen was fully decked out with a toaster, oven, cook tops, fridge and dishwasher – it had everything we needed.

Bathroom amenities were modern and the water was hot.

It was well worth the 366km trip to the marvellous Coonawarra where you are spoiled for choice with so many fine wineries. We enjoyed not just the wonderful grape-growing atmosphere, but the bell tents of Bellwether.

And, while taking a sip of their quality wine, it was not hard to marvel at the history of the old shearing shed.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SAWeekend.

This review was first published in October 2018 and details updated in March 2021.

• 14183 Riddoch Highway, Coonawarra
• 0417 080 945
• bellwetherwines.com.au
• LOCATION 366km southeast of Adelaide.
• ACCOMMODATION Six glamping bell tents for two people built on platforms Each and six campsites for four people each, four powered, 2 x unpowered.
• FACILITIES Camp kitchen with fridge, oven, cook tops, BBQ and dishwasher. Amenities building with seven showers, six toilets and laundry. Cellar door in historic Glen Roy shearing shed, as well as farm animals and treehouse for children.
• PRICES Twin bell tents are $200 a night (2 night min) which includes a bottle of wine on arrival, with freshly made sour dough and eggs each day. Or you can upgrade to more substantial breakfast or get us to cook for you. Camp sites are $45 a night for a powered site and $30 a night for an unpowered site.