Barossa Valley Wine Region

Barossa Valley SA – Click to Enlarge

The Barossa is one of the most famous wine regions in Australia and contains two wine regions, the Barossa Valley and the Eden Valley, with the Barossa Valley covering the west of the zone, and the Eden Valley the east.

The Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s oldest and premier wine regions, with international recognition, just 50 minutes north-east from the state’s capital, Adelaide, and encompasses the primary wine towns of Tanunda, Angaston, Lyndock and Nuriootpa.

There are seventh-generation grape growing families in the region, with some of Australia’s largest collection of old vines with blocks dating back to the 1840’s. The region was originally found by German settlers and the first Shiraz vines were planted as early as 1847, by Johann Fiedler and are still in commercial production today by Turkey Flat Vineyards.

Today, there are almost 11,000 hectares of vines and over 100 wineries in the region with a vast selection of cellar doors, home to many of the biggest names in Australian wine.

Over forty wine grape varieties are planted in the Barossa Valley, with the top five varietals accounting for 88% of total plantings in 2019 and red varieties accounting for 91% of the planting. We can definitely say in the Barossa, RED RULES!

It will be no surprise that Shiraz firmly takes out the number one spot, accounting for 63% of the crush in 2019. The region deservedly wins international acclaim for the big, busty, deep reds. Second place in 2019 goes to Cabernet Sauvignon with 15%, and again the region showcases some of the boldest examples of this varietal.

Grenache is a mere 4%, often blended with the local big bold Shiraz to deliver exceptional GSMs.

With a total crush of 3% in 2019, Chardonnay is the only white in the top 5. Considering that only 9% of the entire region is white, this is quite an achievement.

And rounding out the top 5 is Merlot (2%), not traditionally thought of as a Barossa staple but again, with the Shiraz taking centre stage, it’s tough competition in this big red region.

Despite the Barossa having an overwhelming reputation as being a red wine region, there are a number of splendid whites on offer. Riesling has been historically important in the region, although the neighbouring Eden Valley dominates the Barossa here.

The plantings of Semillon in the Barossa Valley have evolved to develop their own unique pink-skinned clone that is distinctive from the Semillon found in its French homeland of Bordeaux. Barossa Semillon is characterized by its full body, golden color and low acidity. Traditionally the wine was fermented in oak but in recent years has been produced more with stainless steel. 

Source www.barossawine.com and www.southaustralia.com