Just over an hours’ drive from Adelaide, the Barossa Valley is one of the most iconic wine growing regions in Australia. Today it spans 578 square kilometres and is home to over 150 wineries. The region has earned a reputation for its historical vineyards, centenarian vines and classically robust wines, especially those made from shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and grenache.
Where is the Barossa Valley? Located in the south-east of South Australia, the Barossa is a region made up of towns, villages and hamlets, each with their own character and charm. The valley is formed by the North Para River and connects the main towns of Nuriootpa, Tanunda and Lyndoch.
The Climate The Barossa has a Mediterranean climate ideal for full-bodied reds and generally robust white wines. The region is characterised by a warm, dry climate with relatively low humidity and rainfall during the growing season. High sunshine days, which help promote healthy vine growth, and a wide diurnal temperature range ‒ the difference between daytime and night-time temperatures ‒ helps to concentrate flavours in the grapes.
The Altitude Barossa Valley geography is dominated by valley floors and rolling hills, which can reach heights where white grapes can be grown without compromising their character. The region spans a range of altitudes from 110m in the warm grape-growing areas on the valley floor to almost 600m in altitude in cooler meso-climates in the surrounding hills.
The Soils The complex system of valleys and twisting hills results in a variety of slopes, aspects and sites. The soils vary widely, but fall in a family of relatively low-fertility clay loam through to more sandy soils, ranging through grey to brown to red.
The Varieties Australian wine is frequently linked with Barossa shiraz and while the variety is definitely the region’s signature grape variety, other varieties like grenache, mourvèdre (mataro), cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, riesling and semillon all have a long and esteemed history of producing exceptional wines. More recently, a new wave of Mediterranean varieties have joined the Barossan classics. Grapes like tempranillo, montepulciano, fiano and vermentino are not only well-suited to the region's soils and arid climate, but require less water, making them the more sustainable choice.
The Wines These unique factors come together in Australia’s most iconic wines, particularly its elegant reds made from classic varieties like shiraz, grenache and cabernet sauvignon. Explore the CellarSpace range and discover the best the Barossa has to offer.
