Back in mid November in 2015 I had the opportunity to go along to one of several ‘instameets’ hosted by Qantas to celebrate their #feelslikehome campaign. The Adelaide leg of this week long journey around Australia was to explore what South Australia is famous for – wineries!
Last week I showed you a few vineyards in the Adelaide Hills, but for this instameet, we were headed to a different region – the stunning Barossa Valley.
If you fancy yourself a bit of a wine aficionado – you will surely have heard of the Barossa and Clare Valley regions. If not, these regions are famous for producing some of the most incredible wines around and that is not an exaggeration. A Barossa Valley shiraz was crowned the best in the entire world last year! South Australians know how to do wine, and we know how to do it damn well.
So who was I to pass up getting to explore this stunning region and taste some gorgeous local wines along the way?
The first stop of the day was to the gorgeous Maggie’s Farm Shop. Maggie Beer is an icon in Australia and famous for her quince paste, pheasant pate and burnt fig ice cream. We arrived late in the morning and the lighting over the vines was absolutely stunning.
While I was photographing the vines I stumbled into a patch of ridiculously flattering lighting – so it was only natural that I took the opportunity to take a few self portraits!
Next it was time to head inside and to my surprise, time to meet the amazing Maggie Beer herself! Maggie oozes grace, charm, warmth and sincerity. It isn’t hard to see why she is such a well-loved Aussie icon.
After downing some booze-free bubbles (surprisingly good) and some amazing mushroom and verjuice pate finished with a glorious burnt fig ice cream, it was time to go exploring the beautiful grounds surrounding the restaurant.
After not too long myself and a few other instagrammers came to a stunning olive grove. Another gorgeously scenic and photogenic place. The sun had gone into hiding at the time, which gave the place a slightly eerie vibe.
We then decided to move on and head to the vines for some more beautiful pictures.
When I said the grounds were beautiful – I meant it. Although we were headed to the vines, we just had to stop at so many gorgeous places along the way!
Then finally we made it back to the beautiful vines.
After what felt like no time at all it was time to leave Maggie Beer and head onto the next destination – Seppeltsfield Winery.
The Seppelt family settled in the Barossa in 1851 – over 160 years ago – and have been proud winemakers ever since. The estate and vineyards are some of the most beautiful in all of the Barossa Valley, and thus made an excellent stop for a bunch of photography enthusiast instagrammers.
First things first, it was time for a cellar door tour.
Each year Seppeltsfield produce a special reserve wine to be kept and aged for an entire century! I was able to get a picture with the reserve produced the same year I was born – 1993.
After finishing up the cellar tour, we headed out to explore the beautiful and expansive grounds.
Then it was off to taste some beautiful wines and then start the drive all the way back to Adelaide.
T H E L O W D O W N
Qantas Instameet: Big thanks to Qantas for an amazing day!
Maggie Beers Farm Shop: From the Adelaide CBD it is a lovely 70 minute drive to the Farm Shop
Seppeltsfield: This vineyard is just a stones throw from the Farm Shop
Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1 with 12-40mm M.Zuiko Pro Lens
Threads: I am wearing the gorgeous ‘Turkish Baths’ maxi by Aussie label Tigerlily, my well worn ‘Arizona’ Birkenstocks and a vintage ring
Remember: That the best wine comes from Adelaide!
Thanks for your lovely, informative tour.
My pleasure – thanks for reading!
Brings back memories. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure – thanks for reading!
Wow It’s so so beautiful, I’m feeling the air was clean and quiet. I love it, and wish I was there ^^. Thank you for your pictures <3 <3 <3
It absolutely was. Thanks so much for reading – I hope you can see it in person one day!
Drinking a Barossa Shiraz right now! Thanks for an armchair tour of one of my favourite parts of Oz.
Nothing better than a Barossa Shiraz! My pleasure – thanks so much for reading!
I really enjoyed reading this, I absolutely loved Adelaide when I visited some family there last year but unfortunately didn’t get around to visiting any vineyards or wineries! I’ll have to put Barossa Valley on my bucketlist 🙂
Do it! The Barossa valley is my favourite wine region, but the Mclaren Vale and Clare Valley regions are very beautiful too!
Thanks for sharing. Looks very beautiful and serene. Lovely post and photos.
Thankyou! I look forward to sharing more adventures with you 🙂
Did a Barossa Valley trip years back but still no nothing about wine. Thanks for the memory.
Did you enjoy the trip? As long as you had a good time that is the main thing!
It was fun because I was with a bunch of friends
Beautiful photos, beautiful dress and the turtles are so cute 🙂
http://clairneriah.com/
Thankyou 🙂 yes the turtles were a pleasant surprise!
Beautiful photos and you look so gorgeous ❤️🌞
Thank you 🙂 it is totally all the dress though!
A beautiful place and nice photographs!
What beautiful photos! And that dress of yours is so cool 🙂
Thank you! Yes it has fast become one of my favourite clothing items!
There are some beautiful photos in here…from various photographers. Really stunning. That one of you on the bales could be a contender for your wall surely?
Oh yeah definitely! That is one of my favourites too 🙂
Fantastic pics.
Looks stunning and beautiful! That olive grove looks amazing.
I recognised the lake before I read your comments – my wife and I visited Maggies last March when we stayed at Tanunda for a couple of nights during our road trip.A beautiful spot!
How did you enjoy Tanunda?
Barossa and Seppeltsfield mirror the wine country of north San Diego County, California. There seems no end to the delightful people and scenery. I look forward to more of your “homeland” posts.
I look forward to sharing more of them! More coming from Australia’s top end soon!
Quite lovely. I live in the Applegate Valley of southern Oregon which is rapidly becoming known for its wine. BTW… this made me laugh: South Australians know how to do wine, and we know how to do it damn well. 🙂 –Curt
I shall have to add Oregon to the bucket list too! It is becoming a bit of an out of control list! Haha glad I could make you laugh – I speak the truth though! 🙂
I almost always find something to chuckle over in your blogs. 🙂
Now that’s the sort of feedback I like to hear 🙂
An amazing piece, we would love to work with you and feature some of your work on our blog and with our growing community of inspirational adventurers. If this sounds like something you would enjoy being a part of please fire us an email: greatventuresurfco@gmail.com . We look forward to reading more 🙂 . have a great day. GVSCO
Sure – that sounds great. My email address is ellen.burne@yahoo.com – feel free to get in touch.
The Barossa is a well known wine region. The Riverland is a great wine region too! We are just that bit further away from Adelaide – have you been? Banrock Station is a popular one but there are lots of big and small wineries and breweries in the area.
I have been out to the Riverland but not since I was a little kiddy! My family and I used to go camping out that way over Easter 🙂
very interesting…and cool shots! Love the dress…
Lovely:)
I enjoy traveling to destinations like this. It makes me closer to nature, give a sense of peace of mind. Thank you for providing beautiful images.
My pleasure – thank you for reading 🙂
Live wineries and wine tours!!! The barrel pics are beautiful! I liked e the one of you sitting in a bench with the gorgeous outside decor! Sounds like a fun opportunity! 🙂
It really was! Thanks for continuing to read and tag along on my adventures 🙂
Of course! I love your adventures! They make me jealous and give me an even more powerful case of wanderlust. 😀😉
Any upcoming adventures to help appease this wanderlust of yours?
Not yet. With my excessive overtime lately….I have been pushing hubby for a weekend away. Preferably somewhere we’ve never been before, but he can be such a stick n the mud! I’m tempted to just book it and make him ask off AFTER the fact! *evil laugh*
I 200% support that haha! Do it! No time like the present 🙂
Ha ha! Me too. Hmmmm how large of a fight will it cause? Lol
Hopefully just a little one ha
beautiful photos and blogger! i’m inspired to visit australia one day soon!
Thank you so much! Do it! Such a big place with so much to be explored 🙂
I love your photos and your enthusiasm!!
Thank you so much!
Thanks Allen for lovely details once again and for some stunning photos! Loved the greens! Enjoyed ur narration!