Want to know more about the weather in the Barossa?
Whatever the season or the weather in the Barossa, we can always offer an enjoyable and memorable stay for our guests at any time of year in Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage!
When choosing a holiday destination, for many people the climate and the season plays a big part in choosing where you would like to visit. Some enjoy warm sunny days, balmy nights, alfresco dining with chilled crisp wines and a non humid climate. Others who live in warmer climates relish the opportunity to get cosy, rug up, breathe some cool air or savour a bold glass of red next to a roaring open fire.
I recently discussed this with Sharyn who has lived on the property for over 25 years and knows the intimate magic of every season in the Barossa and the best ways to enjoy it. We’ve put it all together here to help you find out what makes each time of year so special and help you choose the season that suits you best for a Barossa getaway.
The cycles of vineyard growth are stunning and full of surprises, making the world of wine even more magical when you see how resilient and adaptable vines are. However, whilst vines will survive most weather conditions, it is the care and nurturing of the vignerons each season which will make the difference as to whether good wine can be made from the grapes.
For that is where wine is made – in the vineyard. Described as a Mediterranean climate, the Barossa typically experiences cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers, which is ideal for grape growing (and visitors!)
From September through to February there are plenty of sunny days, which encourage the vines to grow and allow the grapes to ripen fully and develop a balance between levels of acid and sugars in the grape. Rainfall during this period is usually quite low, which means that supplementary irrigation is sometimes used. The autumn months during harvest (March – May) are usually mild but sunny with cool nights. The months (June – August) bring colder days, some rain and cold nights.
So, the Barossa is perfect to visit all year round, with each season producing a unique experience for visitors.
Here are our tips for each Barossa season..
What weather to expect, what to enjoy in the cottage, which clothes to bring and things to do!
Summer – December to February
The perfect time if you love sunshine and warm to hot days! Refreshing summer cocktails, crisp white wines or a cheeky Rose paired with fresh summer menu’s at the many restaurants and eateries. Balmy evenings are ideal for outdoor dining and stunning sunsets over lush green vines.
Pack light clothing including short sleeved shirts, shorts, skirts and dresses. The sun can be very strong during the summer months, so hats and sunscreen are also helpful.
Local tip: pack a pair of long pants and a sweater in case of a cool evening.
Average temperature range: daytime 26C-29C (with frequent hot days of 30C-38C); nights 12C-14C
Mean number of rainy days: 8
In the Cottage
Summer is the season the cottage really comes into its own. They knew more about how to build environmentally friendly houses back in the 1850s than some people do today!
Thick stone walls insulate the inside of the cottage and south and north facing windows allow cool gully breezes to flow through the cottage at night. Shaded by large trees and wide verandahs and surrounded by green lawns, gardens and vineyards, guests can enjoy the comfort of the cottage regardless of what an Australian summer throws at us. Just to make sure though, we have air conditioning throughout the cottage and icy cold drinks (including beer, wine and cider!) stocked in the fridge.
In the evening, sit under the verandah and cook up a fabulous Barossa steak on the Weber BBQ while watching our spectacular red sunsets over the vineyard in the west.
And did we mention the magnificent sky full of stars at night…or the kangaroos that visit the vineyard and lawns looking for a drink?!
What you might see in the Barossa
- Vines have a dense canopy of dark green protecting bunches of ripening grapes.
- The paddocks change from green to golden, as cereal crops mature. Grain harvest generally takes place before Christmas.
- Orchards boast abundant stone fruits ripening.
- Grape harvest begins, with grapes being hand-picked, tractors and trucks transporting to wineries and grapes made into wine.
- Tour Down Under through Tanunda and surrounding townships (January)
- The annual “Shakespeare in the Vines” performance at Seppeltsfield Wines (January 26th)
- Fringe festival events (February)
- Angaston Show (Agricultural, Horticultural and Floriculture).
- Celebration of the Declaration of Vintage.
Autumn – March to May
Mild but sunny days, with evenings becoming cooler. Perfect for exploring by bike, hiking through local native bushland or strolling cellar doors and local townships. Spectacular displays of fiery red and orange leaves on vines make beautiful scenery as you explore.
Pack light clothing during the day with warm clothes for the evening.
Local tip: even if the day has been warm to hot, once the sun goes down it will get chilly!
Average temperature range: daytime 17C-26C (with heat spikes); nights 7C-12C
Mean number of rainy days: 14
In the Cottage
As Autumn arrives, the cottage gardens and our vineyard leaves begin to turn, then display vibrant red and orange foliage and the Barossa hills start to change from summer brown to lush green.
From May the cottage loungeroom open fire is set, and the bathroom underfloor heating and reverse cycle air conditioning keeps you warm on cool Autumn evenings.
What you might see
- Early in autumn the grape harvest continues.
- Orchards yield autumn favourites in abundance (quinces, figs, apples and pears).
- Field mushrooms popping up in paddocks throughout the region.
- Magnificent sunsets.
- With the first cold snap, leaves begin to turn to gold across the Barossa, the long awaited first rains fall and a green tinge appears across the Barossa ranges.
- Mid to late season, autumn leaves on the vines are a sight to behold.
- Tanunda Show (Agricultural, Horticultural and Floriculture).
- Biennial Barossa Vintage Festival.
Winter – June to August 
Winter brings a chance to get cozy, rug up in your favourite woolies, find cellar doors with roaring fires and bold winter reds. Dine on comfort food where our local restaurants will tempt you with their best winter warming menu’s. Take a longer hike where the bushland is lush and green and sparkles with morning dew and local wildlife is more abundant. Or just snuggle up, and relax by the fireplace.
Pack warm clothing, with extra layers, and a coat or jacket.
Local tip: enjoy the Barossa hospitality in front of a cosy log fire to stay warm.
Average temperature range: daytime 12C-16C; nights 3C-6CMean number of rainy days: 29 (if we’re lucky!)
In the Cottage
Wrap yourselves in cosy “throw” rugs, and curl up in front of the open fire with a platter and a glass of red or perhaps a cup of tea, hot chocolate or espresso coffee and a good book! Woollen carpets underfoot, underfloor heating in the bathroom and reverse cycle air conditioning will ensure you are cocooned in warmth during your winter stay. The king bed with luxury linens and comfy doona beckons after a hot soak in the deep, iron, claw foot bath which stands proudly in your large ensuite bathroom. The cottage gardens still have splashes of colour with winter flowers in bloom and the Miner’s Couch on the cottage front verandah offers a glorious spot to bask in the warm northern winter sun during the day. The perfect spot to watch the vines enjoying their sleep before waking up in spring for the start of another vintage!
What you might see
- Woodfires taking the chill off homes, restaurants and cellar doors.
- Dormant vineyards have lost their leaves for the winter, and are being pruned.
- Ripe olives are harvested for oil or pickling.
- Paddocks sown with cereal crops are bright green and wave in the wind.
- Rolling green hills and pastures are a beautiful sight.
- Local bushland is green and damp underfoot perfect weather for hiking and seeing local wildlife.
- Barossa Winter Festival (formerly Barossa Gourmet Weekend)
Spring – September to November
Sunny days with mild temperatures, providing great weather for outdoor activities. Enjoy alfresco dining, platters in the gardens overlooking vineyards at many cellar doors or take a tour by bike, on foot or with a local driver.
Pack lighter clothing for the day and some warm clothing for the cool evenings. Local tip: be prepared to layer, as the mornings can still be quite crisp.
Average temperature range: daytime 17C-24C; nights 6C-10C
Mean number of rainy days: 18 (again, if we’re lucky!)
In the Cottage
From the cottage you can watch the vineyard and gardens comes to life! Open up the cottage windows to clean fresh air and 
the sounds of the birds busily preparing their nests. Spend the afternoons lazing on the sunbeds on the lawns, perhaps a wine in hand, watching and sensing the Barossa “waking up” to another vintage! The mornings are perfect for enjoying a gourmet breakfast “cook up” of locally produced smoked bacon and eggs on the Weber BBQ before venturing out for a day of discovery.
What you might see
- In early spring, budburst throughout vineyards moving out of winter dormancy.
- Fruit trees covered in blossoms of pink, white and red.
- In late spring, vines are fast growing, with bright green leaves and tendrils.
- Canola flowering provides seas of yellow in paddocks.
- Warming weather = long outdoor lunches.
- Hire some bikes to enjoy all of the above!
So there you have it, all you need to know about Barossa seasons and weather! All you have to do is choose your perfect season… or come and try them all!
Our luxury accommodation is located in Seppeltsfield on the Barossa’s iconic Seppeltsfield Road right in the heart of Barossa wine country. The perfect base to create your ideal Barossa getaway. Close enough to all the best wineries and eateries but set amongst the vines in your own private vineyard setting where you can return at the end of the day to complete privacy and tranquility in the cottage and surrounding gardens.
If you have other questions, or if you would like to book a luxury vineyard stay in the Barossa at Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage, please contact us at anytime and we will be only too happy to assist you!
For more info on local Barossa events visit https://www.barossa.com/events/event-calendar
