If you travel to Seppeltsfield Road in the Barossa Valley during September, October and November, you will be so glad you did. Spring in the vineyards is just beautiful.

Not only does spring herald the beginning of a new vintage, when the vines come to life after the dormancy of Winter, the sunny days are perfect for enjoying the local food and wine fare outdoors on a picnic rug or deck.

Fresh air, gorgeous sweeping vistas, fine dining, unique experiences, luxurious vineyard stays and delicious wines all make for a wonderful way to enjoy a romantic getaway, a family break or a girl’s weekend.

Here are 10 ways to create a Spring holiday to remember along Seppeltsfield Road.

1. Wine – Witness “budburst” for yourself

As the weather warms and Spring fills the air – fresh new growth bursts forth from the dormant vines. Quite the sight to behold!

The moment they first appear is called “budburst” and is reason to celebrate as it’s the beginning of a new Barossa vintage. It’s a beautiful time of year to visit.

It’s also a great time to have a chat with Seppeltsfield Road’s 18 resident cellar doors about their thoughts for the start of the season and vintage ahead.

2. Wine & Dine – Kick back and enjoy a delicious wood oven pizza

For a lazy Sunday afternoon, there is no better place to be than relaxing on Rolf Binder’s verandah, enjoying the garden outlook and sweeping vineyard views through to the Barossa ranges. 

You can enjoy a tasty selection of wood oven pizzas and we are sure you can be tempted to taste the extensive range of locally made wines.

Whether you favour the internationally acclaimed reds made by Rolf himself or delight in the whites, crafted by his sister Christa who is recognised as one of the region’s finest white winemakers.

3. Play – Go behind the scenes at Seppeltsfield Road Distillers

If you can handle the thought of watching premium, small-batch gin distillation take place while sipping your way through the gin range, you will love Seppeltsfield Road Distillers.

Perfect for an overdue catch up with friends, or to watch the world go by as you are guided through a tasting flight, this is the place to enjoy a classic gin and tonic or even a cheeky cocktail.

Or, if you want a unique experience for yourself or with friends, you can choose from two behind the scenes tours.

Over the space of half an hour, you can “Meet Christine” – the star of the distillery! The state-of-the-art Carl copper still from Germany can be seen working her magic, and you will also enjoy a tasting flight and distillery tour.

Prefer a more in-depth private distillery tour and tasting? Sign up for the “Getting to know you” experience where you will have a gin in hand as you are guided through the gin making process. You will also enjoy a platter of hand-selected small goods matched to the gins on taste.

4. Wine and Play – Go on an indulgent journey: the best vineyard tours in Barossa

Two Hands Wines offer guests a unique Cellar Door experience, either inside the gorgeous Kraehe House, a late 19th century stone cottage or out on the stunning tasting deck.  Nestled amongst the vineyards, the structured but relaxed tasting will provide you with an intimate, informative tour of their finest drops.

But to truly immerse yourself, Two Hands Wines can take you on an indulgent journey to demystify and uncomplicate wine and the winemaking process, in a relaxed and intimate setting.

Two Hands Wines pride themselves on this unique approach to wine tourism not being on offer anywhere else. As the owner, Michael Twelftree, explains “I want you to experience the journey from vine to glass…to walk the vineyards with us… these are going to be the best vineyard tours in the Barossa.”

Depending on the tour you choose, your own personal Two Hands guide will lead you to picturesque single vineyard sites, taste the single vineyard wines in the vineyard it was produced, go off-road in Two Hands’ own 4wd Defender vehicles, visit the ‘Holy Grail’ vineyard with take in stunning views of t Barossa Valley and enjoy a long lunch at cellar door accompanied by a tasting of the Flagship Series wines.

5. Stay – Trade footy fever for a romantic getaway

When the AFL footy fans of Australia get swept up in the finals hype, it is the perfect time to slip away to the beauty and tranquillity of Seppeltsfield Road for a romantic weekend.  

Lucy’s House is a renovated cottage on the Heritage Wines estate, dating back to the 1850s. Suitable for one couple, during your stay in this rare piece of Barossa history, you will enjoy generous provisions for continental and cooked breakfasts using homemade and local Barossa produce, plus a complimentary bottle of wine and homemade treats.

You are also welcome to come and speak to the winemaker of Heritage Wines himself! Steve Hoff is at the cellar door most days and invites you to taste their range of wines that place their emphasis on regional fruit characteristics and unique Barossa styles.

6. Wine – Soak up stunning vineyard views at Hewitson cellar door

Whether you are a wine enthusiast, wine writer, foodie or just adore the Barossa Valley’s unique style, you can make a day of it and delight in over 18 destinations for wine tasting from globally acclaimed wine brands, to small, lesser known gems.

The much anticipated Hewitson cellar door is now open and will offer you the perfect stop-off for such a wine adventure.

Set on the edge of their vineyards, you can gaze out at sweeping vistas from one of the various decks and terraces – arguably some of the best views in the Barossa. It is also a relaxed and intimate space to experience their exclusive and award-winning wines, including three that were chosen for James Halliday’s TOP100 Wines in Australia for 2017. 

This Seppeltsfield Road winery can boast some of the oldest vines in the world – including the oldest-known surviving planting of Mourvèdre, which recently celebrated its 160th Birthday!

7. Wine, Dine and Play – Roll out the picnic rug as you sip on a crisp Barossan cider

The Barossa Valley Cider Co. are proud of their full-bodied, rich and creamy ciders, which are crafted using 100% hand-picked fresh apples and pears from only the finest family-owned orchards. And you can taste the deliciously crisp simplicity for yourself, during your visit to the historic Seppeltsfield Winery, established in 1851.

While you are there. take the opportunity to bask in the mild sunshine of Spring and enjoy a picnic in the manicured grounds of the iconic wine estate, Seppeltsfield. Over 420 acres surround Seppeltsfield – now a combination of ancient vineyards, historically significant winemaking buildings, majestic gardens and priceless architecture.

If you have already assembled a selection of Barossa food delights, you can use the BBQ facilities, or select from your very own, ‘Benno’s Basket’ for two or four people.

Order ahead of time and you can collect on arrival. Your basket has been carefully curated to ensure you sample authentic regional foods from South Australia and the Barossa. ‘Benno’s Basket’ includes wood fired oven bread, small goods, cheeses and condiments and even comes complete with all crockery and cutlery requirements!

8. Stay and play – Slip away for a luxurious long weekend amongst the vines

On the October long weekend, if it is private, luxury vineyard accommodation you desire for just one couple, then Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage is for you.

Nestled in a private, 10 acre vineyard, you are within walking distance through the vines to two of the three acclaimed restaurants along Seppeltsfield Road – Hentley Farm and Fino@Seppeltsfield. Complimentary transfers are offered also.

An authentic 1860s early German settler’s cottage combined with stunning modern features, your stay also includes complimentary cooked and continental breakfast provisions, free Seppeltsfield Wines Heritage Tour for Two and your own bottle of Seize the Day premium Shiraz.

You are sure to feel relaxed from the moment you arrive!

9. Enjoy another delicious reason to visit Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop

There are changes afoot at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop showing just how important and special their wines are.They now offer a new wine tasting area!

Maggie and Colin Beer have been grape growers for more than 40 years and take their premium grapes from the homeblock to be made under their label. Visit the Farm Shop any day from 10.30 to 5 and you will find all of the latest release vintages from both Beer Brothers Wines and Pheasant Farm Wines.

If you fancy bubbles, then head straight to Maggie’s extremely popular yet non-alcoholic Sparkling Ruby Cabernet — best enjoyed super chilled.

No visit to the Farm Shop is complete without taking the chance to wander and relish the opportunity to try just about every product Maggie Beer’s makes: It is the only place in Australia you can!

 

With so many good things to try and buy, you’ll quickly fill your picnic basket to enjoy in the Spring sunshine.

10. Dine and Play – Experience next-level dining that showcases the best of  Barossa

Immerse yourself in the vineyards, wines, farm and Barossan food culture when you luxuriate over 4 courses at lunch or indulge in the full menu experience of approximately 7 courses at lunch or dinner,  in the meticulously restored stables at Hentley Farm.

Originally built in the 1880s, the contemporary dining room provides the perfect setting to savour the unique tastes of the two sumptuous set menu options, both of which work as a surprise on the day.

Head Chef Lachlan Colwill creates his menu according to what is abundant, fresh, and of the highest quality. The restaurant has a strong focus on harvesting produce from the farm’s 150 acres, including foraged ingredients growing wild, as well as fruit, vegetables and herbs grown in their own garden beds and orchard. All the wines matched with the menus are from the Hentley Farm portfolio.

LOCAL TIP:
During Spring, the Barossa Valley comes alive to host the celebration of wine and culture that is the Barossa Seasons: Spring event – previously known as the Barossa Gourmet Weekend. Held on September 6-9, 2019, the winemakers and restaurants of Seppeltsfield Road will have plenty on offer to welcome this seasonal celebration.

Do not forget to tag us on Instagram with #seppeltsfieldroad. We love seeing what you have enjoyed during your time on Seppeltsfield Road.