The Barossa Valley’s end-of-vintage festival returns this month, celebrating its 70th year. From more than 90 events, we’ve handpicked the very best from across the five days.
The Chook Shed Social Club
Harvest’s end is always a huge party, and this season, The Chook Shed Social Club is where you’ll find us letting loose. A barn dance this is not. The Shaolin Afronauts will kick off proceedings with a set of tight afro-funk, soul and jazz before handing the mic to Max Savage & The False Idols. This sweaty, seductive soiree is certain to go all night.
Fri April 21, 7pm
Tanunda Show Hall, Tanunda
Long Table Lunch featuring Restaurant Blackwood
Jock Zonfrillo’s (Restaurant Orana, Restaurant Blackwood) culinary style of foraging for ingredients and honing dishes around native flavours sits perfectly in the valley setting. His Long Table Lunch featuring Restaurant Blackwood is being hosted by – and matched with – Whistler Wines, whose grape growing runs four generations deep. It promises to be one of the most sought-after tickets of the festival.
Thur April 20, 12pm
Whistler Wines, Marananga
Silver Raven Festival
On day two pack the picnic rug and make for the stunning Turkey Flat Vineyards for Silver Raven Festival – the weekend’s biggest live music event. The headline act is raucous folk-rocker Strand Of Oaks with support from Nashville’s Jonny Fritz, Jen Cloher and band (featuring Courtney Barnett, Bones Sloane and Jen Sholakis), Lost Ragas and more.
Sat April 22, 12pm
Turkey Flat Vineyards, Tanunda
Let The Fun Be Gin
Let The Fun Be Gin gets our votes for both “best event name” and “funnest sounding workshop ever”. You’ll blend your own gin using “flavours drawn from an apothecary of botanicals”, design a label for it and take the bottle home to be shared with friends (or consumed alone – totally your call). After an afternoon of distilling, Sas & Eli Beer will also make you lunch.
Sun April 23, 11am
The Farm Barossa Function Centre, Nuriootpa
Fishes & Fino Loaves
Fishes & Fino Loaves revives that classic, rustic pairing of staples – fish and bread. Laid across sprawling, shared tables, the four-course dinner of sustainably caught South Australian seafood and ancient-grain loaves is accompanied by a selection of rieslings from the Eden Valley. It’s pastoral dining at its simplest and finest.
Fri April 21, 7pm
Fino Seppeltsfield, Seppeltsfield
Beer Vs Wine
On the deck of the world famous Barossa Valley Brewing Co, battle lines are being drawn. A brewmaster and a winemaker stand ready to face off in the ultimate Aussie showdown, Beer Vs Wine. Five rounds – sorry, we mean “courses” – are served, each accompanied by one wine and one beer. Your job is to decide which is the better match. Reputations are on the line, and the decision is in your hands.
Fri April 21, 7pm and Sat April 22, 7pm
Barossa Valley Brewing Co, Tanunda
Barista, Brewer, Wine Cycling Tour
Embark on a guided trek across back roads and private vineyards on the Barista, Brewer, Wine Cycling Tour. Spread over 17 kilometres, stops include a boutique coffee roaster, a handful of wineries and lunch, concluding with a well-earned cold one at a legit Aussie taphouse. Bikes, helmets, food and wine tastings are all included.
Wed April 19
Thu April 20
Fri April 21
Sat April 22
Various locations. Tours start at 10.30am.
Feast, Folk and Fossick
Wrap up your weekend on the Lyndoch Village Green at Feast, Folk and Fossick. Farewell the festival with live music, local wines, ciders and beer and the best of Barossan produce. At the heart of the festivities will be a 12-metre handcrafted fire pit, made entirely of recycled materials. Harvest Kitchen chef Pete Little will be tending the coals (grilling while you’re chilling), slow-roasting a selection of delicious meats from locals Schuam Pork, Barossa Birds and Hutton Vale.
Sun April 23 10am
Lyndoch Village Green, Lyndoch
Barossa Vintage Festival runs from April 19 to 23.
