Re-discovering your own backyard...

ROAM TO AUSTRALIA ~ you won't be sorry!  And, NO, we do not encounter scary creatures throughout our days.  Yes, they are out there, but you will still have the BEST time of your life in this grand and brilliant country! 

Tinto and I had to make some tough decisions when our lovely house guest stayed with us prior to Christmas.  There is an abundance of wineries and restaurants in the Barossa and Clare Valleys, so you need to plan your trip ahead of time.  You want to enjoy the special places and perhaps when you taste a wine you prefer, enjoy one glass...and drink sparingly.  One winery is sometimes enough for some people!  It IS a hard job! Ha!  The wines ARE divine in both regions.

This very special guest is the daughter of Tinto's dear mate in the U.K.  She has now made Melbourne, Victoria her home and had never visited South Australia before.  When I took her to Seppeltsfield, the JamFactory, and Vasse Virgin, (olive oil, natural olive oil products such as lotions AND gourmet food and picnic baskets, lovingly made!) she was simply astounded by the beauty of the grounds and the 'village type feel' of Seppeltsfield.  It was a 3 hour visit for her and she used every minute properly - even got to view a wedding/bridal procession in progress!  GET TO SEPPELTSFIELD WINERY in South Australia! 

It was hot and overcast and the weather was constantly changing, but we set our sights on the Clare Valley for the next day.  Clare is gorgeous with rolling hills and valleys, covered in vineyards and has a wonderful, natural feeling to it.  Clare has certainly not been overbuilt or over-marketed and I (secretly) hope it remains the wonderful way it is.  Tinto and I chose Skillogalee Winery and restaurant nestled in the most out of the way and inviting spot.  We had taken Tinto's niece there ages ago and realized we had not been back in such a very long time.  Skillogalee did not disappoint.  You can dine on the verandah and even choose a table positioned right next to the vines if you prefer (weather permitting).   The food was produced from local providers and I, on a whim, ordered cold tomato soup for an entree which does not sound special at all...but Tinto is a fan of 'anything' tomato - and his eyebrows went over his forehead when he tasted it; surprisingly delicious!  We lingered for a good long while and every table, every chair was being used by grateful guests.  It was the perfect venue for a dreary day because of the exquisite position of the dining room and the panoramic views.   Tinto and our mate chose a beautiful Shiraz and I stuck with a Clare Valley Reisling because you cannot go wrong with this - Clare was meant for Reisling production.  

Hello ~ happy creatures!  Yes, I would like

some of these; they look like sea anemones.

They actually looked as if they were breathing and moving!
EXTRAVAGANT colour that I did not quite capture.

 View from our table...

Clouds looming, but still so lovely...

We reluctantly left Skillogalee and went 'round the bend to the brilliant Kilikanoon Winery - literally only minutes away from Skillogalee.  WHAT A TREAT!  They continue to win award after award and have gone into super wine making mode.  They simply do not make mistakes.  Kilikanoon's Oracle Shiraz was crowned BEST in the World in 2018.  Go.  Get your bottoms there.  It is a tiny, intimate cellar door and the host was a wonderful, bright, inviting woman willing to share tons of history and wine wisdom regarding Kilikanoon's story.  Quaint in appearance - a GIANT in the industry.  Thank you! 

After a fun and interesting conversation filled with laughter and a purchase of a really nice bottle...we departed in hope of getting to Pikes Winery on time.  It was rather late in the day.  Sadly, we pulled up to the front of Pikes' Cellar Door as they were closing.  There is a brand new, swanky restaurant called Slate and it is alluring - Head Chef, Max Stephenson, is apparently, pulling the people in from all over.  Outstanding news for Pikes AND the Clare Valley ~ we will return to see what the fuss is all about.  Pikes has a great family story and has gone from strength to strength - wonderful people, deserving super success in every area.  PIKES WINES - deserving of YOUR TIME, TOO.  What a day it was and we only visited 3 places...well, really, 2 - but it was a lot to experience and well worth the small drive.  Clare Valley is a little under an hour from Kapunda.

Next day we ventured back to where it all began for Tinto and for me:  Chateau Tanunda - the grand and glorious estate where we were married.  Tinto had done some work for the Chateau and he chose the spot for our marriage - BEST choice ever - wonderful way to begin a marriage and the Chateau, later, became my place of employment on two separate occasions.  How nice.  Cellar Door looked better than it has ever in its life looked - especially the sensuous and sophisticated, slate grey ceiling.  It used to have a 'warehouse' feel to it - no longer.  The place has been painstakingly and lovingly restored by a couple determined to bring it back to its lustre and brilliance - they have achieved what they set out to do and far beyond ~ 'Congrats' to them both.  The 3 of us received THE WARMEST welcome from a SUPER STAR of hospitality - Troy.  Is there anyone better than Troy?  Anyone more concerned about showing his guests an outstanding time?  Nope.  Not in my book.  Thank you, Troy, for making our visitor feel so very welcome.  You are excellent at what you do.  We purchased a bottle to take with us to Mengler's Hill Lookout, but, even better, Troy suggested a new and funky, ecclectic spot located behind Langmeil Winery named  David Franz Wines.  

Your very own 'small tour' of 

Chateau Tanunda...MUST SEE for YOURSELF.

OH MY GOODNESS, Troy's suggestion ~ EXACTLY what we needed and wanted - a fresh and funky and literally mind-blowingly FUN place to experience.  GO NOW.  BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND HEAD TO THE BAROSSA.  I remain in awe that an establishment so tiny could offer such a BIG BANG of fun and good food and out of this world wines.  I could write an entire blog on Franz Wines and may do so in the future.  Quirky - you are welcomed with big, bright smiles and open arms - told to choose your 'goodies' from the double door fridge, placing your items in a cloth-lined, groovy picnic basket.  When ready, take your basket to the counter...you will be advised (beautifully!) about the luscious wines on offer.  Order your wine - find your table, within metres of the spectacular vineyards...and then, WHALAA!...your food selections appear before you on a wooden, sharing board.  DEEEEEELIGHTFUL!  Cheers!  You won us over. We will be back.  HUGE Thank You, Troy.

 An absolutely PERFECT DAY in EVERY WAY...IF there is a 'PERFECT'...

See?  David Franz Wines - sitting RIGHT BY THE VINEYARD for a most delightful glass of vino and gourmet, delectible delights.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...

Next, Mengler's Hill Lookout ~ and on to the most prestigious, glorious, beautiful, and well-known, 

Yalumba Winery.  Robert Hill-Smith has consistently delivered in product and HAS one of THE most amazing wineries in the Barossa.  Robert is fifth generation of a wine making family and it is clear his legacy and his families' legacy will remain strong well into the future.  The grounds are over the top spectacular and the English born Cellar Door host was fabulous in her greeting and her invitation to enjoy the alluring Yalumba wines.  

No more pics...WHY?  Because YOU need to experience South Australia for yourself.  

Posted by the 'still in awe' with the place I live, Blanco, team member of The Roaming Stevens.

South Australia - BOOK IT for your next destination.

PS:  Please excuse typos.