We’re counting down the days until the Barossa kicks off their biggest community party — the 2021 Barossa Vintage Festival! We’ve cleared our schedules from April 14–18, and are now ready to start planning the ultimate itinerary for the whole family to make the most of this five day eating and drinking fest.
The Barossa Vintage Festival is an opportunity to soak in everything that the locals have to offer, and while wine plays a big role, it’s by no means all there is. There are beautiful experiences, culinary masterpieces, and plenty of good vibes waiting for you to explore. With over 75 incredible events run over the five days of SA’s largest regional festival, we can honestly say there is something for everyone.
If you’re familiar with the Barossa, dive a little deeper into the region and get behind the scenes with your favourite winemakers and artisans. Or if a trip to B-town is on your list, this festival is the perfect way to experience it all at once. With so much to choose from, we thought we’d help narrow down the list to some of our favourite events on offer…
Did someone say long lunch or dinner?
Dine in the Vines with Whistler Wines
Celebrate the end of vintage with the Pfeiffer family. Dine on some of South Australia’s finest produce, from Kitchen and Catering by Sam (of Fine and Fettle fame), paired beautifully with a selection of Whistler’s wines — all while overlooking their vineyards.
Cooper Burns Flavours of Autumn
Celebrate the flavours of seasonal produce over a four-course lunch! Watch while grapes are harvested right next door while enjoying paired wines that match your dining experience.
The Fine H-Art of the Long Lunch at Hart of the Barossa
Enjoy a five course authentic farm-gate dining experience at Hart of the Barossa, paired with their organically-grown, handcrafted wines.
Bon Appetit presented by Le Mas
Prepare to be swept off your feet with fine wine and Billiecart-Salmon Champagne upon arrival, before enjoying this authentic and fresh dining experience with a distinctly French inspired twist.
Dinner at Lou’s Place, Drinks from Lou’s Cellar
Enjoy a night of generous European hospitality with a Mediterranean feast specially designed to match Lou Miranda’s best drops. Eight wines, four courses, one night only. A dining experience not to be missed!
Freakishly Matched at FermentAsian
Riesling lovers, this is the ultimate event for you! Flavour-filled dishes by Tuoi at FermentAsian are perfectly matched with different styles of Riesling.
For wine lovers…
The Barossa Wine Auction is Australia’s premier regional wine auction! Indulge with delicious oysters and Riesling from Eden Valley Riesling as you view the impressive collections for show, and bid on lots to expand your own wine collection.
En Primeur with Michael Hall Wines
Taste the new wine from barrel and secure your stake in the 2021 vintage, en primeur! Winemaker Michael provides insight into his authentic story of grape, site and season and, in Michael’s words, it’s a great experience “for wine nerds, like me”.
Tim’s throwing a classic ‘shed warming’ party at Vine Vale to celebrate. Indulge in a classic Barossa long lunch, catered by local chef, Stuart Oldfield, complete with a stellar line-up of Tim Smith Wines’ museum wines to share. It’s entertainment guaranteed, and who knows Tim might even jump on the drums!
Old Vines to Great Wines with Hayes Family Wines
Discover Hayes Family Wines’ passion for sustainable wine production on a guided vineyard walking tour and tasting of single block wines, as well as sampling wine from barrel and bottle.
Go behind the scenes and gain access to the sheds and vineyards of Vine Vale. Six small winemakers are set to welcome you to their sheds for an afternoon of wine stories and discovery.
Enjoy a rare opportunity to meet and chat with 12 Barossa legends at the incredible Barossa Cellar. Taste, and have the opportunity to buy unique single barrel samples from some of the Barossa’s greatest small winemakers themselves.
Kick up your heels!
Lambert Estate’s ‘A Little Party Never Killed Nobody’
Escape to simpler times and celebrate the history of the roaring twenties as Lambert Estate is transformed into the Barossa’s own Speakeasy! Embrace your inner flapper and enjoy a night of live jazz with Charmaine Jones, culinary delights, specialty cocktails and Lambert Estate’s award-winning wines.
The much-loved ball returns again in 2021, hosted by Seppeltsfield, in their historic 1920s Vintage Cellar. Enjoy a night of fun, entertainment at the black tie ball with dinner served by Owen Andrews, alongside the award-winning Seppeltsfield Wines.
Keep it healthy
Experience the stunning unexplored corners of the Barossa and Eden Valleys on an epic and challenging 33.3km trail run like no other. If 33.3km seems daunting, there’s a distance for everyone with 14km and 7km trail options.
Sunrise Walk and Picnic with Barossa Wellness
This is the perfect way to start your morning before enjoying the many excellent Barossa Vintage Festival events. Your morning wellness experience will start with an approximate 8km walk through the beautiful Barossa landscape, followed by a gentle yoga flow and meditation surrounded by panoramic views, before relaxing to enjoy a delicious chef-prepared picnic brunch.
Barista, Brewer, Wine Cycle Tour
Embark on a relaxed 20km guided cycle tour through the picturesque northern end of the Barossa with planned stops to enjoy local coffee, wine and brewing artisans, as well a delicious seasonal lunch set amongst vineyards and historical sites.
Time to learn, hands-on
Tasting Notes Perfume Workshop
Tap into your creative self, exploring the parallels between taste and smell with this beautiful masterclass collaboration between Vasse Virgin, Seppeltsfield Road Distillers and Seppeltsfield Wines.
Preserving Traditions at the Barossa Farmers Market
Be immersed in Barossa food tradition as you experience and learn the art of pickling and fermentation by local food experts. Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea with local treats between workshops, before taking home your own jars of fermented and pickled veggies.
2021 Vintage Shiraz Gin Creating with Durand Distillery
Discover the art of gin distilling and create your own Shiraz Gin from scratch with a hands-on distilling class with Durand Distillery. Enjoy a three-course lunch with a glass (or two) of local wine while your gin distils.
Barossa Visitor Centre Workshops
Immerse yourself in the talents of Barossa’s local makers by joining in a range of workshops at the Barossa Visitor Centre’s Barossa Makers’ Table. Choose from a series of workshops where you can create your own painted canvas while you sip local wines; create your own clay plate, bowl and spoon; customise your own body butter or face mask; or create and decorate traditional Barossa honey biscuits — a great event for kids!
Fun for the whole family
Choco block decorating at Barossa Valley Chocolate Company
For all the sweet tooths, young and old, a visit to the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company is a must. Watch the creativity of the kids come to life as they decorate their very own block of chocolate.
Ubertas Wines Young Gig on the Lawn
A free community event for the whole family! Experience gourmet food, great wine and live music on the lawns of Ubertas Wines. With outdoor games and activities for little (and big) kids, it’s a great chance to relax and unwind on a Sunday afternoon.
The Chateau Carnival is the place to be for a relaxed afternoon of fun, with food, wine and good times! After you watch the Parade leave Tanunda, head to the Chateau. With an array of food offerings, face painting, live music and award-winning wines, the whole family is bound to have a fabulous time!
Barossa Italian Festa at Calabria Family Wines
Chill out over the Vintage Festival weekend with live music, free kids activities, Italian produce markets, outdoor games, great food, wine and local beer at Calabria Family Wines.
And don’t miss the FREE hallmark events of the Festival that the community know and love including Ziegenmarkt, Festival Parade and the Barossa Scarecrows.
So there you have it — plenty of reasons to make the trip to the Barossa for their Vintage Festival! Fore more info (and more events!) just head to barossavintagefestival.com.au to check out the program and book your tickets!
The Barossa Vintage Festival is proudly supported by the Government of South Australia (South Australian Tourism Commission), The Barossa Council, Tourism Barossa, Barossa Grape and Wine Association (Barossa Wine Auction), the Barossa Coop and HWR Media.
