Barossa Valley cellar doors to visit
Its big bold reds are world-renowned, but the Barossa’s cellar doors offer a breadth of wine styles from aromatic whites to lighter Mediterranean drops.
Pindarie
Amid a 300-hectare property of sheep-grazed pastures, century-old olive trees and sloping vineyards sits Pindarie’s cellar door, housed within beautifully-restored stables. Custodians Tony Brooks and Wendy Allan have transformed the once run-down and over-cleared farm into a sustainable haven, planting more than 12,500 trees over 30 years, while championing emerging variety viticulture. It remains a family owned and operated farm – the pair living on the property’s historic homestead where they raised their three children. They welcome you to a guided tasting, then to enjoy lunch at the on-site cafe, Grain Store.
Paulmara
Up an olive tree-lined driveway in Nuriootpa lies Paulmara Estates, the home of Paul and Mara Georgiadis. The pair planted the first vines here in 1995, bringing decades of viticultural expertise to the family-run winery. Their welcoming cellar door is part of their home among the vines, where classic Barossa shiraz and cabernet sit alongside Mediterranean favourites like sangiovese and nero d’Avola, as well as the new-variety-on-the-block, Xinomavro, from Greece. Each wine reflects deep respect for terroir and tradition, with small-batch craftsmanship and a personal touch.
Yalumba
Yalumba has been at the forefront of Australian wine since the late 1800s with its iconic blends of cabernet and shiraz. Today, the winery offers a range of experiences for visitors to immerse themselves in its fine wine legacy. The popular Unlocked tour begins in the strikingly-designed wine room, where you’ll trace the history of Yalumba’s Hill-Smith family. You’ll then wander the grounds and historic buildings, the cooperage – which still crafts barrels on site – and the famed signature cellar. Finish the day with a guided tasting, paired with a platter of local cheeses and charcuterie.
Izway Wines
It started with a single barrel of wine. Today, Izway Wines crafts a considered range of expressive Barossa drops, using traditional winemaking techniques such as basket pressing and natural fermentation. As well as a range of shiraz – including the original, now iconic ‘Bruce’ – you’ll also find vibrant grenache and the Mediterranean varietal aglianico. Tastings are by appointment, held within a contemporary, bunker-style space defined by polished concrete, a mahogany-style tasting bench and lounges around a fireplace. And you’ll always be tasting with someone who has had their hands in the winery, making for an intimate, enlightening experience.
The Cutting
The sentiment “good things come in small packages” rings true at The Cutting, a hidden gem in the Barossa Valley. Here, you won’t just be walking into another cellar door: the lush property is the home to the family of Belinda and Daniel van Eyssen – the winemaker and viticulturalist respectively – with vineyards and winery all on site. By appointment, you’ll taste award-winning wines with Belinda herself, who’ll share the stories behind the glass while you gaze over at the vineyards from which they’re made. As well as the famed The Cutting shiraz, you’ll also taste The Outlier range of fruit-driven grenache and cinsault.
Torbreck
First, you’ll be encapsulated by the striking cellar door – an architectural beauty set amid lush gardens and vineyards. Then, the wines: since 1994, Torbreck’s commitment to creating exceptional Rhone style red and white wines has attracted high praise. From the gnarled, dry-grown vines of shiraz, grenache and mataro that fringe the Barossa Valley comes a collection of wines as distinctive as the landscapes that shape them. These award-winning expressions have found their way onto the tables of the world’s finest restaurants and bars, where they are savoured for their complexity, sense of place and unmistakable Barossa soul. Enjoy warm hospitality with a guided cellar door tasting, or book in for a private experience in the Clan Room.
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Seppeltsfield Road Distillers
Because there is more to the Barossa Valley than wine. Seppeltsfield Road Distillers offers a stunning destination to sip and savour SRD’s internationally-awarded gins, whether it be on the spacious, sun-dappled deck or beside the cosy indoor fireplace in cooler months. The brainchild of gin-loving husband-and-wife, Jon and Nicole Durdin, Seppeltsfield Road Distillers produce gins that are bright and delicious, using the highest quality ingredients. Enjoy a tasting flight or creative cocktail (there are mocktails, too), or, discover their unique gin and chocolate pairing that’ll have sweet tooths swooning.
Whistler Wines
There’s a lot to love about Whistler Wines’ cellar door, from its inspiring location amid native Australian landscape to the expertly-crafted wines. Nestled among towering gum trees and surrounded by vineyards, the welcoming venue invites groups of friends and family to taste, savour and explore. From the drink-now style of their Crafted Range, to the more traditional Estate and Reserve Ranges, there is something to suit all tastes. Make an afternoon of it by building your own decadent cheese platter, which can be enjoyed out on the deck or picnic-style in the spacious garden, where you can also watch the kids play.
Tscharke
Head underground for an immersive tasting experience like no other. Tscharke is an organic and biodynamic family farm and winery on Barossa Valley’s western ridge. In addition to guided cellar door tastings, it offers a private underground cellar experience for those who want to explore the wines more deeply. Sourced from estate vineyards in Stonewell, Gnadenfrei and Greenock Creek, Tscharke wines are shaped with minimal interference, allowing each to express the character and distinct terroir of its birthplace.
New Wave Wines
Grab a board (or glass) and get ready to ride a wave of new wines making its way through the Barossa. This collective cellar door within the Marananga School Precinct celebrates contemporary wine styles that are often lighter, fresher and more energetic. Headed by winemaker Jeremy Evans (Evan Evans Wines), the eclectic venue offers a base for small and emerging winemakers, with wines including fiano, montepulciano, barbera and arneis, just to name a few. Snacks are on point, too (think Little Tin Co sardines with chilli crisp), and it’s open ’til 9pm Wednesday to Sunday, meaning you can catch the sunset on the deck with a glass of chablis in hand.
The article originally featured in the 2025 issue of SALIFE Food+Wine+Travel magazine.
