So, which are the Barossa’s best cellar doors? That’s not an easy question, because like good Barossa wine, it’s a matter of personal taste.
However, I want to share with you, based on our personal experience and the feedback we have consistently had from guests in the ten years since we opened Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage, just some of the Barossa cellar doors that have great wines, friendly people to greet you, beautiful surrounds and the vibe that just makes you want to go back.

The best bit is that you don’t have to travel far at all to visit any Barossa Cellar Door. The Barossa Valley is very compact compared to many other Australian wine regions and most of the 80 or so Cellar Doors are within a 15 minute drive of each other.
Many of these cellar doors are owned and operated by families who have been growing grapes and/or producing wine for generations. …..and just so you are aware, there are also over 60 small, Barossa boutique wine producers who don’t have cellar doors, but who offer tastings by appointment (including us at Seize the Day Wines!)
Contact details for these and cellar door opening days and times can be found here >>

So let’s get started…

 

Whistler Wines
Cellar Door Location: 241 Seppeltsfield Road, Marananga 

Located along the beautiful Seppeltsfield Road, this is a family owned wine business started by Martin and Sally Pfeiffer, and Chris and Jayne Pfeiffer. The winery is now in the capable hands of the next enthusiastic generation, Josh, Mel and Matt. The contemporary, quintessentially Australian style cellar door offers open fires in winter and cool shaded lawns and gardens in summer. Their great range of wines means there is a wine to suit every palate and of course includes classic Barossa Shiraz! There’s a lot to do at Whistler while tasting their excellent wines, so make sure you give yourselves plenty of time there.

Pindarie Wines
Cellar Door Location: 946 Rosedale Road, Gomersal

Owned by dynamic husband and wife duo Tony Brookes and Wendy Allan, Pindarie is loved by locals and visitors alike. The painstakingly restored stone building which houses the cellar door is testament to Tony’s incredible capacity for hard work. Not only do they manage this superbly sited Barossa cellar door (with views to die for) but they also run over 1,000 sheep on the property. And if you get peckish while you are sitting under the verandah taking in the views and sipping on a Barossa Tempranillo or Pindarie Shiraz, order one of their  Gourmet Pies or Platters (my favourite is the Saltbush, Lamb, Quince, Rosemary & Potato Pie!)

 

Hentley Farm
Cellar Door Location: Corner of Gerald Roberts Rd and Jenke Road, Seppeltsfield

(Our next door neighbours …. it’s a 3 minute walk for our guests through a gate between our properties to cellar door…!)
Housed in the property’s original 1840s homestead, which has been restored to retain its original charm, Hentley Farm is a relative newcomer in Barossa terms, but boy, have they made an impact! Established by Keith and Alison Hentschke, the first vintage was in 2002 and by 2014, Hentley Farm was named by James Halliday, Australia’s most famous and respected wine critic, as Winery of the Year at the 2015 Australian Wine Companion Awards.  In May  2012, Hentley Farm restaurant was opened in the property’s elegantly restored stables, perched among the vines on the banks of Greenock Creek. The most consistent comment I hear from our guests? WOW!!

 

The Willows Vineyard
Cellar Door Location: Light Pass Road, Light Pass

Now here’s an amazing Barossa story about a Prussian Army bone-setter, who in 1845, at the age of 40 years fled to the Barossa. Now that I have your attention you need to read the rest of the story…. This understated cellar door lets the wine do the talking, they have won some very prestigious awards for their wines, including Most Outstanding Barossa Table Wine at the 2010 Barossa Wine Show for their 2010 Riesling (it actually won five trophies!) As well, they have fabulous Barossa Semillon, an awesome Sparkling Red (aptly called “The Doctor”) and their flagship Bonesetter Shiraz. Tracey and Peter are the larger than life personalities running the show and are the sort of people who make the Barossa a wonderful place to live and visit. Oh, did I mention Peter was Barossa Winemaker of the Year in 2011?

 

Artisans of Barossa
Cellar Door Location: Corner of Light Pass and Magnolia Roads, Vine Vale

A beautiful contemporary cellar door with open verandahs and vineyard views, Artisans is a great place to settle in and taste wine from seven small producers  who are all committed to making inspirational wines. Their wine friendly food plates have been created by Mark McNamara and this cellar door is up there on our guest favourites list.

 

I hope this gives you a taste (pardon the pun!) of what is on offer, it really is the tip of the iceberg. Look out for Part Two…& Three…in another blog to hear about the many other best Barossa Cellar Door experiences.