Overview

With a rich winemaking and grape growing heritage dating back to 1842, and a profound and unique Silesian (German) influence, the Barossa Valley is probably Australia's most famous wine region. It is now rightly asserting not only its importance to the wine sector but also the inestimable value of its storehouse of century-old vines and historic wineries.

The Big Picture

The twists and turns of the Barossa Valley are at times clearly defined.  At other times they disappear into a series of rolling hills and transverse valleys, providing endless discoveries of charming hidden landscapes.  In consequence, site, slope and aspect all vary widely throughout the region. 

Barossa Valley Wine Region

Climate

The climate of the region has often been unfairly characterised as very warm but in its lower parts it is only moderately so and at higher altitudes quite cool.  In fact, as Dr John Gladstones has pointed out, its biologically effective temperature summation and ripening mean temperatures are almost identical with those of Margaret River.  However, the region does have a wide diurnal temperature range, higher maxima, more sunshine and a much lower humidity and rainfall.  All of this adds up to a Continental climate ideal for full-bodied red wines, excellent fortified wines and generally robust white wines.

Soil

The complex system of transverse sub-valleys and twisting hills results in a multiplicity of varying slopes, aspects and sites. The soils vary widely, but fall in an overall family of relatively low-fertility clay loam through to more sandy soils, ranging through grey to brown to red. As in so much of south-east Australia, acidity increases in the subsoils, restricting root growth and vigour. 

Wines

Chardonnay: Has some parallels with Semillon; reduced skin contact and better oak (more French) now makes generous, if relatively quick-developing, styles.

Riesling: Here too generosity rather than finesse or elegance rules the day, with wines which develop far more quickly than their counterparts from the Eden or Clare Valleys.  Most Barossa-branded Rieslings are made from Eden Valley grapes. 

Semillon: Once a dark horse, is now a charging white stallion. Gone are the days of coarse and phenolic skin-contacted wine and American oak; in are earlier-picked, steel-fermented wines of real merit and clear varietal character.

Grenache and Mourvedre: Grenache is often blended with Shiraz and Mourvedre, but is also presented as a varietal in its own distinctive right ─ juicily sweet, almost jammy (the best examples stop short of this).  The two and three varietal blends display a rich tapestry of flavours and textures.

Cabernet Sauvignon: Performs best on cooler sites and in moderately cool vintages.  French oak is largely but not universally preferred to American, and the overall style is more restrained and firmer than that of Shiraz.

Shiraz: Shiraz is, by a considerable distance, the best wine grown in the Barossa Valley. Traditional American oak maturation is in part yielding to some use of French oak, and the co-fermentation of 2% or less Viognier has proved highly successful.  The wines are lush, velvety and mouthfilling, with flavours in the black cherry to blackberry spectrum, the tannins ripe and soft.  A certain amount of controversy exists over the levels of extract and alcohol, which have excited much approval and high prices in the US.

Vital Statistics

A Case In Point: Grant Burge, Winemaker, Grant Burge Wines, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Grant Burge is Barossan through and through and strongly believes that fine wines are born in the vineyard and the vineyard is the cradle of wine quality. With this in mind, he has developed an extensive network of premium quality vineyards, strategically positioned throughout the Barossa. These have been carefully selected for their suitability to the varieties grown in the region.

"My commitment to the Barossa is absolute, and with very good reason," he says. I'm honoured to be a fifth-generation member of a great winemaking and grape growing dynasty that has been a part of the Barossa since 1855.

"I believe the diversity of the Barossa terroir and elevation, plus the Mediterranean climate, provides the perfect opportunity to make a range of premium wines. The region consists of two distinct valleys; the Barossa Valley floor, situated 200-250 metres above sea level, with its rich, red-brown, deep, alluvial soils, suitable for red wines, and the contrasting high altitude Eden Valley, 500 metres above sea level, with its rocky, acidic and grey schist soils, ideal for white wines.

"With the combination of the best terroir, the best climate and the best winemaking techniques, the natural result is the best wine!"

Summary

With a rich history dating back to 1842, the Barossa has become one of Australia's most famous wine regions. The climate is ideal for full bodied red wines, fortified wines and robust white wines.  The two soil types are relatively low in fertility.  The Barossa region produces a great variety of wine, with the main styles being Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon, Grenache and Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Wineries, Cellar Doors & Vineyards

Annandale Vineyards, Barossa Valley Estate, Barossa Cottage Wines, Barossa Ridge Wine Estates, Barossa Settlers, Barossa Vines Winery, Barossa Vintners, Basedow Wines, Bethany Wines, Biscay Wines, Burge Family Winemakers, Charles Cimicky Wines, Charles Melton Wines, Chateau Dorrien, Chateau Tanunda, Domaine Day, The Colonial Estate, Dorrien Estate, Dutschke Wines, Elderton, Flaxman Wines, Fox Gordon Wines, Gibson’s Barossa Vale Wines, Glaetzer Wines, Gomersal Wines, Gnadenfrei Estate, God's Hill Wines, Grant Burge Wines, Greenock Creek Vineyard and Cellars, Haan Wines, Hamitton’s Ewell Vineyards, Harbord Wines, Henry Holmes Wines, Hentley Farm. Heritage Wines, Jenke Vineyards, Kaesler Wines, Kalleske Wines, Kellermeister Wines, Kies Family Wines, Kurtz Family Vineyards, Langmeil Winery, LanzThomson Vineyards, Liebichwein, Limb Vineyards, Marolla Creek Vineyards, Massena Vineyards, Mengler View Wines, Miranda — Barossa, Milhinch Wines, Moorunde Bend Wines, Mt Toolleen, Murray Street Vineyards, New Eden Vineyards, Nurihannan Wines, Orlando Wines, Penfolds, Peter Lehmann Wines, Pheasant Farm Wines, Richmond Grove Wines, Rockford Wines, Rocland Estates, Roehr Wines, Ross Estate Wines, Rusden Wines, Saltram Wine Estates, Schild Estate Wines, Schubert Estate, Seppelt Winery, St Hallett Wines, Shiralee Wines, Stanley Lambert Wines, St Johns Road, Steinborner Family Vineyards, Tait Wines, Thorne-Clarke Wines, Torbreck, Turkey Flat, Twin Valley Estate, Two Hands Wines, Veritas Winery, Viking Wines, Vinecrest Fine Barossa Wines, Whistler Wines, The Willows Vineyard, Wolf Blass Winery, Yelland & Papps Wines and Yaldara Estate. In addition, there are also the Southcorp brands of Kaiser Stuhl, Leo Buring, Whitechapel Wines and Tollana.

If you would like to have your winery included in this list, please email awbc@awbc.com.au.