The end of the 2021 vintage is approaching, and with it comes the biannual Barossa Vintage Festival. We've found five events showcasing the best the region has to offer.

The 2021 wine vintage is winding up in South Australia, and so the time has come again to plan a trip north for the biannual Barossa Vintage Festival.

The event is happening 14—18 April, and so ahead of its launch, we’ve scoured the Barossa Vintage Festival program to share with you the events we reckon are worth the commute.

From gin and wine-fuelled walking tours, to abundant Mediterranean feast, to gin-making classes, there’s plenty of reason to head north this weekend.

Marananga Meander

The tiny township of Marananga has a lot going for it – all within meandering distance.

This event will see three Barossa producers – Greenock Creek Wines, Seppeltsfield Road Distillers and Two Hands Wine – lead attendees on a walking tour around Marananga, complemented with a moving feast and plenty of the makers’ own produce.

Expect to enjoy hand-crafted wine and gin paired with local produce, all the while taking in the beautiful Barossan landscape.

Thursday, 15 April
Seppeltsfield Road, Marananga 5355
Tickets $105 — Purchase

Preserving Traditions

This image: Andre Castellucci

Plenty of people had started learning about and practicing preserving techniques prior to the pandemic, with the reduction in food waste being a major selling point, as well as perceived health benefits. When supermarket shelves were cleared in March and April last year, further advantages to having a pantry stocked with preserved vegetables became apparent. At this event, held at the Barossa Farmers Market, Minka Park, founder of Kimchi Club, will hold a kimchi-making workshop, followed by a pickling workshop held by Those Barossa Girls (aka Sheralee Menz and Marieka Ashmore). If you’re yet to pick up pickling, this is your chance.

Saturday, 17 April
Barossa Farmers Market
Corner Stockwell and Nuriootpa roads, Angaston 5353
Tickets $116.50 — Purchase

Dine in the Vines

This image: Duy Dash

Whistler Wines is a well-loved label in South Australia and beyond, and this event will give provide insight into the land, process and family behind the brand.

Hosted by founder Martin Pfeiffer, second-generation owner Sam Pfeiffer and winemaker Michael John Corbett (who also makes Vanguardist wines), you’ll be treated to a dinner overlooking Whistler’s organic and biodynamic vineyards and prepared by Sam Worrall-Thompson of Fine & Fettle and Community.

The Whistler wine pairings will come from the winery’s current lineup and its museum stock.

16—17 April (16 April sold out)
Whistler Wines
241 Seppeltsfield Road, Stonewell 5352
Tickets $150 — Purchase

Dinner at Lou’s Place, Drinks from Lou’s Cellar

CityMag doesn’t get out to the Barossa as often as we’d like, and this means, sadly, we’re still yet to visit Lou’s Place. (Though our friends over at The Forager went out for a look.) The restaurant is run by Callum Hann and Themis Chryssidis, who have run cooking school Sprout since 2011, and both will be in attendance for this Mediterranean feast, prepared by chef Dean Zammit. Wines will come from the restaurant’s surrounding winery, Lou Miranda Estate, with winemaker Angela Miranda providing insight into what’s on pour.

Thursday, 15 April
Lou Miranda Estate
1876 Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat 5352
Tickets $165 — Purchase

2021 Vintage Shiraz Gin Creating

This image: John Krüger

Barossa distillery Durand regularly holds gin-making classes at the Barossa Gin School; however, at this event, the brand’s distillers will take you through the creation of a shiraz gin, made from fruit from the 2021 vintage. Exactly how this spirit will turn out is up to you – attendees are encouraged to bring their creativity. Just be sure to take home something that can be turned into a pretty-looking shiraz gin sour. The event also includes a three-course lunch and a couple of glasses of wine from the Valley.

15—18 April
Barossa Gin School
50 Pheasant Farm Road, Nuriootpa 5355
Tickets $395 — Purchase