Barossa continued....

Sunday 29th Aug


Sunday the day of wine tasting:) following breakfast, a short coffee stop in Angaston, the plan was to visit Tanunda.
Tanunda is in the heart of the Barossa Valley it still maintains the heart of the German originators to the area. We visited the keg factory where we watched wooden items being made..... not for long anyway:)

The old Post Office on Murray Street now houses a museum, with displays relating to the history of the Barossa Valley, in particular to its German heritage........

This was a very interesting & sensible museum....

Look, I didn't say WE were sensible while visiting.......................

Speaks for it's self...

So on to wine tasting! First we visited Seppletsfield winery...a little about the Seppeltsfield winery.....


The Seppelt family settled in the Barossa Valley in 1851, and purchased the property now known as Seppeltsfield.Seppeltsfield’s first vintage was produced in the family dairy. By 1867, Joseph Seppelt had commenced construction of a full scale winery. Unfortunately he did not live to see it completed, but his enterprising and pioneering spirit lived on after him. His eldest son, Oscar Benno Seppelt worked hard to ensure his father's dream came true. Only 21 years old when he inherited the winery in 1868. It was Benno's influence, more than anything else, which earned Seppeltsfield its reputation for quality wines.


After tasting the various wines and lovely fortified wines (port to you and I) I was feeling a little merry. There was no way I was going to spit, what a waste! On the other hand Wolfie was driving so he didn't have much choice (I didn't let his leftovers go to wast though)..... and a good job he didn't drink. No sooner than we left Seppeltsfield than we came across a total road block, something the police seem to do on a regular basis here... 


We left Seppeltsfield with a lovely, guilt free on my part (due to my consumed alcohol), bottle of port - not cheap but tastes amazing...and after getting lost in the ladies we where off to the famous Wolfblass winery.

If you want to check out Wolfblass heritage...  www.wolfblass.com


This was a pretty quick visit, as with anywhere in Australia, it takes along time to get from place to place...we where late, and to be honest, we mainly went there due to the buy one get on free voucher we got from the tourist info.
Quick quaff of their lovely wines Yellow, Red, Gold and Gray label.. Bought one and grabbed one free, a rummage in the bargain bin and still felt obliged to buy from their exclusive range - we never learn do we...


Home we went...passing through Springton we saw this amazing tree. I hear you...wow a tree.  Yes wow a tree, the fattest tree I've ever seen!!

Herbig Family Tree

The Herbig Family Tree is a large, hollow red gum tree, it's estimated to be 300 to 500 years old with a diameter of seven metres at its base and a height of 24 metres. 


This tree my friends, was the first Australian home of 27 year old Friedrich Herbig who arrived in South Australia in 1855. In 1858 he married, the very lucky, 18 year old Caroline Rattey and took her to live in the tree home. 


The first two of their 16 children were born there. However, Caroline's protests for more space and withdrawal of sexual relations encouraged Friedrich to build a two roomed pine and pug hut nearby, and so, his family increased.

Today the Herbig Family Tree represents a graphic link to early European settlement of the area. Herbig family reunions are held at the tree, usually every five years. And that, my friends, is that!!

Barossa Valley

Friday 27th


What is the best thing to do after a week of feeling, well, completely pants..... a naughty weekend away and copious amounts of wine (of course)! And what a fabulous weekend it was....


Our weekend of choice was the Barossa Valley, the town Angaston, the B&B Almond Hill.

First a  little about The Barossa:-

The Barossa Valley is located in the south-east corner of South Australia, about an hour's drive from  Adelaide. The region measures approximately 50 km north to south and 33 km east to west.The main towns should be recognisable to those of you who read the labels on your bottles of Barossa wine: Nuriootpa, Tanunda, Lyndoch, Angaston, Seppeltsfield, Cockatoo Valley, Eden Valley, Springton and Williamstown. Nuriootpa is the region's commercial centre. We mainly attacked Nuriootpa, Tanuda and of course Angaston.

Wine (of course) is what the Barossa is famous for, its vines prospering since the 1840s. There are more than 50 wineries in the region, ranging from large household names, such as Penfolds, Seppelt and Wolf Blass, to boutique vineyards.

The Barossa Valley was originally settled by German Lutheran farmers in the 1830's who not only planted grape vines but also brought with them their wine making knowledge and unique and rich culture. As we drove about the region this was apparent in the names of towns, in the architecture and in some of the produce.

Endless Vineyards 

Fantastic views

Quaint cottages

Arriving at Almond Hill was no disappointment. This place had all the rustic charm we could have wished for and all, single handed, built by a woman!

We arrived at Almond hill at 8:30pm, the place was perfect. As you can see we had a gorgeous four poster bed and lots of candles, setting the perfect ambiance. We also had a log-burner which I set to work lighting as soon as we arrived. There was a little kitchen area made out of an old oak desk and "granny cupboard" complete with a tiny fridge filled with sumptuous provisions, all local produce. No sooner than we arrived our bread was delivered piping hot, straight out of the oven in a beautiful tin - we couldn't help but have a nibble:)

First things first - open the bottle of wine! I can't tell you how happy we felt after all the rain, to be cozy in front of the roaring fire, listening to Edith Piaff, sipping lush red wine.

Of course after a glass or two, all intended sophistication went out the window..................

Saturday 28th.

Morning, or perhaps afternoon.....after saying hello to our friends........

........we wandered into Angaston, ambling around a couple of 'jamb packed' antique shops, checked out the one and only art gallery and of course a much needed coffee...maybe with a little cake for added effect.

Bronze statue of working farm horse, dedicated to 100 years of Angaston Agricultural Bureau - the oldest in Australia.

Then off to visit our first winery - Keasler winery.  

The Kaesler Vineyards were established in 1893. The family, sprung from Silesian pioneers who came to the Barossa Valley in the 1840s, took up 96 acres in 1891. They cleared the scrub and in 1893 planted out the entire holding with Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro (Mourvedre) and White

 Hermitage vines.

Our lovely purchase, yum!

       

After Keasler, or before, I'm not quite sure? One of the many places we visited was Seppeltsfield. 

Seppelt Family Mausoleum

Seppeltsfield is known for having one of the most scenic drives in the valley, the huge date palms lining the road were planted to provide work for local families during the depression and now provide a stunning landscape.


The Seppelt Family Mausoleum, built on the highest hill overlooking the Seppeltsfield Valley, was completed in 1927 by the employees of B Seppelt & Sons. It is now the repository for a majority of the Seppelt Family descendants.

Unfortunately the daylight started to come to an end, making Saturday a surprisingly short day....I really can't think why??


Home for a little snooze...then out for dinner to the Barossa Bistro, and a little more wine:)

My gorgeous husband

Yum yum!

Back home for more..........lovely log fire...and lovely sleep.

  

                   

To be continued......

Wolfie has read my last post and thinks it would be a good idea for me to let you know I am fine and still here:)
Our next post in currently in progress and will be posted very soon - I am happy to say the mood has lifted:)
 xxxx