The Barossa – Nuriootpa   

Nuriootpa is the major commercial centre of the Barossa Valley.  Located at the nortern end of the Barossa Valley approximately 5 km north of Tanunda, and 75 km north east of Adelaide, Nuriootpa has the largest population of all the Barossa towns. 

Nuriootpa is home to some of the Barossa Valleys most famous wineries including Wolf Blass, Penfolds, Kaesler, and Elderton Wines.  Wolf Blass Winery was established in 1966 by Wolfgang Blass who arrived from Germany in 1961 with little money and a desire to use his Diploma in Winemaking in the Barossa.  Today Wolf Blass wines are world renowned and have won many prestigious international wine awards.  The cellar door here is certainly impressive and definitely well worth a visit.  Penfolds Winery is another world famous label.  Penfolds is one of Australia’s oldest wineries, established by Englishman Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold in 1844, and remained a family-run business up until 1976.  During the 1940’s and 1950’s Penfolds became well known for producing what is now Australia’s most famous wine, Penfolds ‘Grange’, made by Penfolds chief winemaker Max Schubert.  A bottle of ‘Grange’from the original 1951 vintage is an expensive collectors item and can fetch many thousands of dollars at auction.  Kaesler Wines have some wonder tastings at their cellar door.  With over 70% of their wine made from vines that are at least 40 years old, some vines dating back to 1893, Kaesler have some exceptional tasting wines on offer. 

For dining out in Nuriootpa, don’t go past the Branch, which is one great place for brasserie type dining, whether it be for a relaxing coffee, or a great meal with a nice local red.  And Lincke’s Bakery on the main street of Nuriootpa has some tasty locally made bakery delights for lunch or dessert.  There is also The Vine Inn, a pub, restaurant, and motel accommodation which is very popular, especially on a weekend evening.  The Vine Inn often host a variety of types of live bands for some great entertainment.  They also offer great meals at a very reasonable price. 

Maggie Beers is a Barossa Valley icon.  Visit Maggie’s Pheasant Farm just outside Nuriootpa (heading towards Tanunda) for some wonderfully tasting local produce.  Maggie Beers is a very popular tourist destination for lunch, or to visit her gift shop which has a large selection of quality jams, preserves, pate’s, sauces, olive oils and much more. 

For activities, Nuriootpa has the Barossa Valley Golf Club which is a well laid out green that is popular with the locals.  There is also some great local shops offering antiques, art and craft, clothing, and the like. 

As Nuriootpa is the commercial centre for the Barossa Valley, there are all local amenities available that you should possibly need.  A large supermarket, banks, chemists, sandwich and takeaway bars, clothing and book shops, electrical stores, and all sorts of retail available. 

Nuriootpa is a great place to visit, offering true Barossa hospitality.  You will find it was well worth a visit.