Congratulations to all our Exceptional Barossa Wine Show Trophy Winners

A hearty congratulations to all the winners in this year's Barossa Wine Show, announced during last night's Presentation Dinner held at the glorious Chateau Tanunda. Make sure you get along to Yalumba tomorrow morning for the Public Tasting of all these amazing wines and many, many more. Here's a list of all the Trophy Winners. Thanks for keeping all us wine lovers truly happy!


The Willows Vineyard

2010 The Willows Vineyard Riesling

The Orlando Wines – L Hugo Gramp Memorial Trophy

Best Dry White Riesling, Current Vintage, Class 1

The Barons of Barossa – Bruce Thiele Memorial Trophy

Most Outstanding Barossa White Table Wine – Premium Classes

The Barossa Living Trophy

Most Outstanding Single Vineyard Table Wine, Premium Classes

The Barossa Printmasters Trophy

Most Outstanding Table Wine, Small Producer, Premium Classes

The Wine Business Traveller Trophy

Most Outstanding Barossa Table Wine, Premium Classs

2006 The Willows Vineyard Semillon

The Prowine Trophy

Best Dry White Semillon, Class 3

Saltram Wine Estate

2005 Saltram No 1 Shiraz

The Classic Oak Products Trophy

Best Museum Dry Red Wine, Class 21

2006 Saltram The Journal Shiraz

The Lynas Valley Ford Trophy

Best Mature Dry Red Shiraz, Class 11

NV Saltram Mr Pickwick Tawny Port

The Hahn Corporation Trophy

Best Fortified Wine, Premium Classes, Classes 18 & 19

NV Saltram Anniversary Port

The Tarac Technologies Pty Ltd Trophy

Best Museum Red Fortified Wine, Classes 24 & 25

Teusner Wines

The Appellation at The Louise Trophy

Most Successful Exhibitor

2009 Teusner Joshua GMS

The Riedel Trophy

Best Dry Red, Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre blends, Class 16

2009 Teusner The Independent Shiraz Mataro

The Cooperages 1912  Australia Trophy

Best Dry Red, other Varieties and Blends, Class 17

The Yalumba Wine Company

2009 Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier

The Lynas Valley Volkswagen Trophy

Best Dry White Wine, variety or blend, Class 5

2008 The Yalumba Wine Company The Signature

The Vintners Bar & Grill Trophy

Best Dry Red, Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon blends, Class 15

The Rod Schubert Trophy

Most Outstanding Barossa Red Table Wine, Premium Classes

Peter Lehmann Wines

2004 Wigan Eden Valley Riesling

The ASA Trophy

Best Dry White Riesling, one year old & older, Class 2

2009 Peter Lehmann Wines Botrytis Semillon

The Roaring 40’s Trophy

Best Sweet Wine, Class 7

Naked Run Wines

2008 Naked Run BWC Shiraz

The Tanunda Cellars Trophy

Best Young Dry Red Shiraz, Classes 9 & 10

Nurihannam Wines

2009 Nurihannam Wines Barossa Scholar Chardonnay

The Lallemand Australia Trophy

Best Dry White Chardonnay, Class 4

Purple Hands Wines

2009 Purple Hands Wines Old Vine Grenache

The Vinpac International Trophy

Best Dry Red Grenache, Class 14

Seppeltsfield Wines

NV Seppeltsfield Vera Viola Oloroso

The Barossa Grape and Wine Association Trophy

Best Museum White Fortified Wine, Classes 22 & 23

St Hallett Wines

2005 St Hallett Eden Valley Riesling

The Air Liquide Australia Trophy

Best Museum White Wine, Class 20

W Salter & Son

2009 Pepperjack Cabernet Sauvignon

The A P John Cooperage Trophy

Best Dry Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Class 12

Lunar Lore ~ Old Vines, Roots and Arcane Alchemy

by Caroline Dunn

Now there may still be much contention over whether man really did land on the moon on 20th July 1969, but one thing certainly happened that day that changed the course of history. John and Erril Kurtz purchased a small block of young Shiraz vines at Light Pass that would become Lunar Block, named in honour of the great event that may or may not have taken place on the day the vineyard was signed over. Lunar Block produces the finest Shiraz in the Kurtz Family Vineyards stable - a unique, expressive wine displaying all the hallmarks of longevity and site distinction. The vines were up to ten years old when the block was purchased, making them now some of the oldest vines on the Kurtz property.

So with the vines hitting the 50-year-old mark, Lunar Block starts to face its own challenges. Vineyards reaching this age begin to lose vigour and can become commercially unviable. Eutypa dieback, a widespread grapevine fungal disease is an ever-present threat in wine regions the world over, resulting in stunted shoots, decreased productivity and eventually the death of the vine. Careful and considered pruning is required to maintain vine health and prevent further spread of the fungus. Unfortunately Eutypa is an adversary the Barossa is all too familiar with, something dedicated vineyard custodians, such as Steve Kurtz, son of John and Erril, know only too well. Steve is undergoing painstaking layering and replanting using pruning cuttings to re-establish lost vines and improve the overall health and vigour of the block; a practice required in many old Barossa vineyards.

Australia is lucky enough to be one of the few countries in the world that still has extensive numbers of old vines planted pre-phylloxera and on their own roots. And the Barossa is blessed to have its fair share, staking its claim to some of the oldest, which were most likely introduced from Europe by the early settlers. It is believed the oldest Shiraz vines in Australia are to be found in the Langmeil vineyard, planted by Christian Auricht in 1843; and Penfold’s Block 42 in the Kalimna vineyard, first planted in the mid 1880s, is thought to accommodate the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon in the world.

So does it really make a difference how old a vine is? The Barossa Grape and Wine Association thinks so. The BGWA’s Old Vine Charter, an inventory of the Barossa’s remaining old vines, classifies vines depending on their age. According to the Charter, an Old Vine is one that has reached 35 years of age and has shown consistent quality, proven over many vintages. The root structure and trunk thickness encourage diversity of flavour and character. This is well represented by Lunar Block, which has developed a captivating character all its own. Something that can never be replicated from another block or vineyard.

Survivor Vines are those which have reached 70 years of age. They have weathered both natural and man-made storms, such as the 1980s Vine Pull and have come through triumphant. Centenarians are low yielding vines planted over 100 years ago when dry farming techniques demanded careful site selection, and have proved resilient in the face of adversity. And lastly we have the Ancestor Vines, those that at 125 years old or more are living tributes to the early Barossa pioneers, and which, through their genetic material, have helped populate the Barossa with irreplaceable, remarkable grapevine stocks, and are among the oldest producing vineyards in the world. I doubt I’ll be around when Lunar reaches Ancestor status but no doubt, the tender loving care of the Kurtz Family and their descendants will ensure she makes it.

Some of the great sensory advantages that old vines lend to the wine they produce are structure, balance, concentration and power, often attributed to reduced crop levels and ancient root systems. There is generally a more layered complexity, and a maturity and depth to the mid palate not often seen with young vines. But then there is also that indefinable, elusive character they possess. A uniqueness. An individuality. A character and personality all their own. An arcane alchemy resulting in wines of revered distinction.

Which brings us back to Lunar Block. In 1999 Steve Kurtz decided it was too good a parcel not to make into his own wine, so he ventured out of the vineyard and dipped his toe into winemaking, adding a new element to the Kurtz Family quiver of talents. And we can now reap the rewards of his decision. Not too many wines can claim that they are crafted from a single vineyard block, but here is a wine that expresses its viticultural roots year after year. The latest release of Lunar Block Shiraz is the 2006 vintage, made with minimal winemaking intervention and matured in fine French oak, this is a wine of merit and pedigree. A supple, medium to full bodied red from an outstanding Barossa vintage, rich in distinctive blueberry and black fruits with hints of dried mint, sage, spice and liquorice. The palate is voluptuous and warm, the oak perfectly balanced, and long, fine velvety tannins give the wine line, structure and backbone.

For more information on Kurtz Family Vineyards visit their website at www.kurtzfamilyvineyards.com.au

Try Kurtz Family Vineyards wines at Collective Barossa, 47 Murray Street, Tanunda and check out their blog at http://collectivebarossa.blogspot.com/

For more information on the BGWA Old Vine Charter visit http://www.barossa.com/bgwa/

Winery of the Month - Lou Miranda Estate

by Caroline Dunn

"Good wine is as important as a loving family and close friends."

Last month our focus was on one of the Barossa’s latest Cellar Door installments, Pindarie Wines, so for a change of flavour, this month we visited one of the Barossa’s more established family wineries, Lou Miranda Estate. 

Australian wine has been a part of the Miranda family’s lives since Francesco Miranda first arrived in Griffith from southern Italy in 1938. Interred as a prisoner of war for the duration of World War II, Francesco was undaunted. He made wine from dried sultanas that were sent to the camps to feed the prisoners. After the war he had a ready market of fellow Italian immigrants and refugees. Francesco went on to build the family business, making a name for Miranda, as well as passionately promoting the Griffith wine region. 

Francesco’s son Lou took over the reins and has spent his life building on his father’s passion and adding his own unique style. The Miranda brand was eventually sold, but Lou kept the Barossa winery, which now bears his name, as well as local vineyards including the hundred year old Trinity Block and historic Angel’s Vineyard. Lou’s daughters Lisa and Victoria are now the driving force behind Lou Miranda Estate, with occasional assistance from sister Angela, and working with their father Lou as winemaker. The sisters have introduced their own selection of boutique wines encompassing two ranges, the Leone range, and the super premium Lou Miranda Estate selection which incorporates exclusive vineyard parcels such as Old Vine and Cordon Cut reds as well as a couple of luscious fortifieds, expressing the family’s passion and drive for excellence.

The Leone range was named in honour of Lou’s mother Caterina Leone, and is associated with the Venetian symbol of the lion which represents justice and strength. A good selection of distinctive, varietal wines of vibrancy and elegance is available under the Leone label, with particular favourites being the 2009 Pinot Grigio, fresh and vibrant with a crisp minerality and citrusy zing; and the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, which shows bright varietal plummy fruit, complexed with hints of earthiness and spice.

The winery, cellar door and restaurant building was built in 1999 in the style of early Mediterranean architecture, encompassing a warm, spacious interior with a polished wooden floor, recycled wooden beams, unique decorative steelwork and large windows allowing maximum use of natural light. The hospitality is generous, welcoming and unpretentious, with knowledgeable staff and a casual relaxed atmosphere reminiscent of an Italian family home. The menu is seasonally focused, incorporating local ingredients, and the food is fresh and reasonably priced. For a light lunch we enjoyed Corn bread topped with minted pea spread, roast beetroot & finished with balsamic glaze; and the Squid three ways - Sumac, Coriander & Ginger, and Chilli with dipping sauce. No doubt, many a long lunch has been savoured here. 

A Taste of the Veneto

To fully experience the Miranda family’s warm Italian hospitality, why not join them for a sumptuous four course dinner “A Taste of the Veneto” being held at the winery on Saturday 28th August 2010.

Starters

Affettato Pacentino – Salami, prosciutto, white anchovies with warm torta fritta

Pizza Fingers with potato, garlic and rosemary

Entrée

Slow cooked goats ragu with gnocchi grande

Main

Quail with roasted fennel and vegetables

Dessert

Rhubarb crostata with Aged Muscat mascarpone & apple chips

Bookings are essential, starting from 6:30pm onwards at a cost of $65:00 per head, not including drinks. For further information and bookings please contact Lou Miranda Estate on (08) 8524 4537.

Lou Miranda Estate

Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat

(08) 8524 4537
Email: lou@loumirandaestate.com.au                         

Visit:   www.loumirandaestate.com.au

Beat the Election Blues, Cheer Your Soul and Warm Your Senses

Beat the Election Blues, Cheer Your Soul and Warm Your Senses

Living Art

by Tania Shirgwin

During the month of August, the South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival is held to celebrate the diversity, techniques and talent of over 3,000 South Australian visual artists. 518 exhibitions are held throughout the state with a large number held in wineries, galleries and cafes throughout the Barossa Valley.

This week, I had the pleasure of chatting to one of the artists about his work, life and wonderment of the ever changing landscape of the Barossa Valley.

Dragan Radocaj’s photographic exhibition at St Hallett Wines showcases the striking beauty that most of us who live in the Barossa take for granted. One would be forgiven upon entering the exhibition, if they imagined this was an exhibition of paintings. The texture, depth and vibrant colour of the panoramas lends one to the momentary belief these works were created by brush-stroke and not camera. Indeed, Dragan freely admits "I seek to combine the best aspects of two mediums - the texture and colour of a painting and the detail of a photograph."

The visually stunning artworks were created by carefully stitching together multiple images shot in sequence and compressing certain parts to create depth and detail as well as gain the panoramic aspect. Both the light and colour that is unique to the Barossa is captured, as well as the ever altering landscape through the seasons.

The man behind the artwork is as intriguing as the art. Only four short years after finishing his Film Degree, Dragan’s photos now adorn walls in cellar doors and private homes, through to The Clubhouse webpage and the 6 metre panorama hanging in Brisbane’s Bar Barossa. He humbly credits James Lindner and the Langmeil Winery team, Robert O’Callaghan at Rockford Wines and the Barossa Grape and Wine Association for giving him a break and helping launch his career, and the Barossa Wine Community for embracing his work. However, his rare talent, eye for detail; unassuming, affable and infectious personality may have also assisted his career far more than he acknowledges.

When asked who are his favourite artists? A sprinkle of paintings throughout history was offered, although not one of his favoured artists used his medium of photography. Each artist was a unique story teller and it may be the story-telling aspect that Dragan prefers over the artist or medium. One artist that he did mention was French Impressionist, Claude Monet. Like Monet, who completed over 250 oil paintings on the one topic – Lillies; Dragan believes his chosen subject, the Barossa landscape provides him with a lot more inspiration, variety and colour than the lilies offered Monet. This wasn’t a boast, but a heartfelt statement from an artist who just loves the focus of his current work, the Barossa Valley. I suggest what we’re currently seeing from Dragan is only a small snippet of future offerings.

The exhibition runs through to 31st August 2010 at St Hallett Wines St Hallett Road, TANUNDA SA 5352 and is a definite must see if you love fine photography or the Barossan landscape.

My personal favourite of the exhibition is “The Perfect Storm” featuring the dirt road to Pindarie, with storm clouds gathering and the ever present vines and hay bales. What's your favourite. 

A Few of My Favourite Things… Seven Sumptuous Stalls at the Barossa Farmers Market

 by Caroline Dunn


What better way to spend a Saturday morning than dropping into the Barossa Farmers Market where stalls groan with delectable morsels to fortify the soul and belly for the upcoming week?

Here are a just a few of my favourite stalls:   

Alnda Farms – The Market Veggie People

Braving the elements out the front of the markets, come rain or shine, are Alnda Farms with their cornucopia of veggies to tantalise every tastebud. Alnda have 17 acres of farmland at Gawler River, between Virginia and Two Wells, where all their veggies are grown by hand with minimal sprays, guaranteeing maximum freshness and flavour. Almost all Alnda’s produce is sold at weekend markets.

The veggies here are always a delight to the senses, bursting with vibrancy of colour and aroma, from pristine cauliflowers, to earthy beetroots; bright red tomatoes to dark and brooding cavolo nero; and a brilliant array of fragrant herbs. The use of plastic and glass houses allows Alnda to grow vegetables which are normally out of season providing market-goers with an array of produce which may not easily be found elsewhere.

Waechter’s Dux

Matthew and Celeste Waechter from Nuriootpa raise Muscovy and Pekin ducks the old fashioned way, free to roam, with a dam to swim on and Matthew’s parents’ vineyard to wander. Matthew began breeding ducks at the age of seven after his grandfather gave him a pair of Muscovy ducks. The breeding was successful and Matthew started to sell his surpluses at local markets.

The Waechters now sell a diverse selection of free-range, grain-fed poultry including ducks, geese, chickens, pigeons and turkeys. There are whole birds, Marylands, breasts, sausages, pies and more. And for those of you who may not be all that familiar with cooking ducks, grab some ripe Barossa plums (I know it’s not plum season yet but this one’s worth waiting for) and try out this remarkably simply yet divinely delectable recipe from Jamie Oliver. A wonderful chuck-it-all-in-the-pot, slow-cooked duck with plums, star anise and Chinese five spice that will blow your mind.

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/duck-recipes/sweet-duck-legs-cooked-with-plums

Eleni’s Barossa Handmade Produce Catering

Eleni is a breadmaking alchemist, turning simple ingredients into scrumptious loaves to warm the heart. Who said man cannot live by bread alone? Eleni makes two types of Italian breads, focaccia and ciabatta, both available either plain or enhanced with olives and rosemary. Eleni’s breads are all handmade with fresh yeast, Lauke’s bakers flour and local extra virgin olive oil. But be warned – there won’t be much left by Sunday morning!

Eleni also makes her own sour cream pastry from Maggie Beer’s recipe – the one recently made famous in the Pheasant Pie celebrity challenge on Masterchef! – which she fills will either Pewsey Vale beef and burgundy or creamy chicken and leek – fast becoming a staple for winter Saturday lunches at my house.

European style cakes and tarts complete Eleni’s range.

Eleni is also loves to cater so why not try something a bit different next time. You can reach Eleni at 0421 544 867 or elenimichau@gmail.com

Hutton Vale Lamb

For some of the most tender, juicy lamb you’ll ever try, you can’t go past Hutton Vale, who’ve been grazing lambs since the late 1840s. Today’s lambs are direct descendants of the original ewes. Hutton Vale is home to fifth, sixth and seventh generations of the Angas family, who also produce the Farm Follies range of artisan chutneys and pickles, merino wool and cereal crops.

Whack a leg of lamb in the slow cooker with some stock, Barossa wine, lots of garlic and veggies and whatever herbs and spices you desire and leave it for seven hours or so until the meat melts off the bone for a mouth-watering winter warmer. Yum.

Sidney Lewis Potatoes

And if you want some luvverly spuds to go with that amazing lamb, check out Sidney Lewis – the potato man. Sidney says that the potatoes he grows are all multi-purpose but some have special talents. My new favourite are the Ceciles, small and red-skinned with a creamy, waxy yellow flesh that are fabulous simply roasted with olive oil, rosemary and salt. Yellow-fleshed Dutch creams are great all-rounders with an extra creaminess, and Sidney believes his Kennebecs make the ultimate chip. Sidney also grows Moonlights and Pontiacs, which are also good mutli-purpose potatoes. Pontiacs, Sidney says, are good for mash and chips but are outshone by Kennebecs in the chip department. But a word of advice from Sid – don’t overcook them!

Ellis’s Paraglen Orchard

Ellis orchards have been growing fruit in the Barossa since the 1920’s. This morning’s wonderful range of winter orchard fruit boasted 12 varieties of apples, including Granny Smiths, Fujis, Pink Ladies, Red and Golden Delicious, Bonzas, Cleos, Johnnies and one that I had never tried before, the Winesap. Something like a red Granny Smith, the Winesap is a crisp and juicy old-fashioned style of apple with a sweet, rich flavour. The Ellis’s also had 4 varieties of pears – Packham, Beurre Bosc, Corella and Josephine. So for all your apple and pear needs, don’t miss Paraglen Orchard.

Carême Traditional Pastry

Well, what can one say about Carême? Sublimely luscious pastries, pies, cakes, croissants, breads and more to seriously tempt you. Delicious savouries like their signature potato galette with lachs schinken and rosemary fight for your attention alongside delectable tarts filled with rich, dark, smooth Belgian chocolate, plump juicy apricots or lemon meringue.

Based in Tanunda, Carême Pastry is owned and operated by William and Claire Wood. Established in 2005 they set out with a clear vision to provide a range of the finest, hand-crafted pastry products made using traditional methods from natural ingredients. Carême also specialises in ready to use pastry dough, which is just as good (an in my case much, much better) than home made, so you can make your own succulent pastry delights at home. Drool and enjoy.

But being so spoilt for choice, it’s a difficult task to mention only seven stalls. Why not let us know your top picks?

The Barossa Farmers Market is open every Saturday morning from 7:30 to 11:30 on the corner of Nuriootpa and Stockwell Roads, Angaston. 
For more information visit their webpage  http://www.barossafarmersmarket.com or 
Facebookpage  http://www.facebook.com/BarossaFarmersMarket

Wine of the Month

by Tania Shirgwin

We promised to bring you a little information on some of the Barossa's fabulous wines. So here it is. The first edition of Wine of the Month, written by one of the Barossa's acclaimed Winemakers, Caroline Dunn. For the July edition, Caroline reviewed Pindarie Wines at which Caroline spent a few hours yesterday (Saturday 17th July) sampling great wines, views and fabulous hospitality. Thanks to the team at Pindarie Wines for being our first "Wine of the Month".


Pindarie Wines by Caroline Dunn

Pindarie, out on the Western Ridge of Gomersal Road, is a relative newcomer to the Barossa Valley, open to visitors for only the past nine weeks. It’s a little off the beaten track but can easily be reached by taking the Gomersal Road exit linking the Sturt Highway to Tanunda. And it’s well worth the visit.

Pindarie is family owned and operated by former Penfold’s viticulture guru Wendy Allan, and husband Tony Brooks, ex jackaroo, farm manager and lover of old buildings. Together they manage the vineyards, their mixed farm enterprises, including sheep, olives and cereal crops, and the wine business; all while raising their three children. Tony is also responsible for the meticulous renovation of the historic old stone buildings on the property.

Housed in a renovated grain room, the Cellar Door, along with heritage stables and working farm buildings are set on top of rolling hills facing southeast over a stunningly picturesque valley of vineyards. This is not just another Cellar Door; it inspires feelings of authenticity, artisanal dedication and attention to detail.

Tony and Wendy’s viticultural philosophy is all about sustainability, assuring the balance of nature is maintained in the vineyard and supporting their strong belief that all good wines begin in the vineyard. In conjunction with winemaker Mark Jamieson, they produce a range of Mediterranean-style wines. One of their star performers, an elegant blend of Mediterranean varietals, is our featured wine this month.

2008 Pindarie “Bar Rossa” Tempranillo Sangiovese Shiraz

Made from grapes entirely grown at Pindarie, the “hero” of this exotic wine is the Tempranillo, which makes up 70% of the blend, along with 20% Sangiovese and 5% Shiraz. Tempranillo is a variety originating from Spain, which is more recently showing itself to be a strong contender as the next great Barossa red. At Pindarie, Tempranillo is planted on shallow rocky limestone soils to control its vigour and concentrate flavour. The Tempranillo is co-fermented straight from the vineyard with Sangiovese, a Central Italian variety well suited to the stonier red-brown soil over limestone at Pindarie. Tempranillo’s acid levels tend to plummet as the grapes ripen, so it marries extremely well with Sangiovese, which holds its acid very well. A splash of Shiraz completes the blend by rounding it out and softening the tannins. Maturation of the wine was entirely in aged French oak for 9 months, with intentional care taken to preserve the fruit integrity, enhancing soft, savoury tannins without over-oaking.

This is a delicious medium-bodied wine showing lots of dark cherry and blueberry fruits tempered with savoury notes and warm, heady spices and underscored with base notes of tar and earthiness. A clean, concentrated wine with just enough fleshiness to balance the fine grainy tannins contributed by the Sangiovese. A wonderful persistence of fruit and tannin makes it the perfect companion to Mediterranean dishes with robust flavours. At $23 a bottle, it’s great value.

For more information visit www.pindarie.com.au

Pindarie Wines, Rosedale Road, Gomersal

08 8524 9019

email: pindarie@pindarie.com.au

A quick chat with the 2011 Barossa Vintage Festival Chair, Bill Biscoe

by Tania Shirgwin 

 Here at Everything Barossa we just love to celebrate the Barossa and what better way to do that than write about something that is proudly established in Barossa tradition – The Barossa Vintage Festival. We recently had a chance to catch up with the Barossa Vintage Festival Chair, Bill Biscoe and ask him a few questions.

How long have you been involved in the Barossa Vintage Festival?
My first experience with the Barossa Vintage Festival was back in 2003.


How did you get involved?
At the time I was working for Penfolds and I volunteered to be involved with the Rare Wine Auction. Fascinating experience that sparked my interest and led me to join the Barossa Vintage Festival Committee in 2005. Adrian Hoffman was Chair and I was elected Deputy-Chair which was an honour. I was re-elected Deputy Chair again in 2007.

What has been your favourite experience so far?
2009 was the first Barossa Vintage Festival that I chaired. On Easter Saturday 2009 I had to pick up my son from Adelaide Airport and drive directly to Seppeltsfield for the opening event - Carnival. It can be extremely stressful for the all volunteer Barossa Vintage Festival Committee when implementing new events. We worry if new events will be successful, but when I came over the hill and saw the line-up of parked cars and the huge crowds, I felt so much relief and pride that Carnival was so well supported. Carnival set the tone for a hugely successful 2009 Barossa Vintage Festival.


What event are you looking most forward too in 2011?
There are so many great events it’s hard to single out any particular one. Each year the Committee tries to retain traditions whilst invigorating interest. We are trying to increase and emphasise the arts component for 2011. If we can put together a concert/performance to showcase the strong arts scene in the Barossa, this will be a huge development for the Festival. I also love the old favourites:
• The Festival Parade
• The Ball
• Big, Bold and Brassy
In 2011, we are hoping to have a separate and true jazz night i.e. separate from ‘Under a Hot Tin Roof’. The Friday night of the Festival has been dedicated for many years to ‘Jazz under a Hot Tin Roof’ which is always a great party night, but not particularly a true jazz event. As an unrepentant jazz fan, I am looking forward to a true and separate Jazz event. I know party goers will just love ‘Under a Hot Tin Roof’ which we will retain on the Friday night.

How do you think the Barossa Vintage Festival rates against other events you’ve seen?
I personally rate the Barossa Vintage Festival very highly. It’s unique, well managed and its history and traditions are second on none. I have been to a number of festivals and similar events in Australia and around the world, and to me the Barossa Vintage Festival has unique events and a feeling that we are showcasing a very special culture which we are all proud to be part of.

We hear that it takes well over 1500 volunteers to run the Barossa Vintage Festival each year. Why do you believe people are so happy to get involved with the Festival?
Pure pride in being part of the Barossa. We have a unique history and I find it interesting that so many of our volunteers are comparatively new to the region, but still feel motivated to show off that history and be part of the community.

What do you think makes this event so special?
We are a regional area with a unique mix of agriculture, commerce, food, arts, tradition and history. The Town Days particularly reflect this. I feel very fortunate to be part of the Barossa.

.......................................................................................................................................

The Barossa Vintage Festival is the largest and longest running wine festival in Australia. This biennial event runs for nine days from Easter Saturday until Sunday the following week and encompasses all aspects of the Barossa community. The strength of the Barossa Vintage Festival is in the way it has incorporated long-standing regional community traditions into entertaining, inspiring fun events. All aspects of winemaking are reflected on the various days – wine auction, tours, tastings and demonstrations. In addition, the festival showcases other strong traditions of the Barossa, such as fine regional produce, art and craft, its rich musical tradition and strong religious community; all growing from the region’s complex history and reflecting the German heritage of its earliest pioneers. During the nine day-long celebration, some 120 events take place, hosted by over 1500 volunteers and attracting approximately 50,000 people to the region.
For further information, visit the Barossa Vintage Festival website http://www.barossavintagefestival.com.au or email info@barossa.com

Welcome to the Everything Barossa Blog

by Tania Shirgwin
If you're part of the Barossa community e.g. winery, tourism, retail, small business, charity, social fixture OR just love the Barossa, then this Blog is for you.

Over the next few months we plan to keep you updated on upcoming events, small business, food and yes, of course our fabulous Barossa wines. We'll even throw in a few social media marketing tips to help small business in the Barossa cope with this ever changing area. Every post will be unique and we'll even try recruit a guest writer or two to assist in those areas we all want to learn more about.

If you like the idea of learning more about Everything Barossa, why not also join our Facebook Fanpage? And, please feel free to post your comments and let us know what you want to read about here at the Everything Barossa blog.