Barossa Valley

This article is about the valley. For the wine region, see Barossa Valley (wine). For other uses, see Barossa (disambiguation).

Barossa Valley South Australia
Tanunda is surrounded by vineyards showing Autumn colour.
Barossa Valley The location of Tanunda, one of the key towns in the region.
Coordinates	34°32′S 138°57′E
Population	20,000 (2006; approx.)
• Density	20/km2 (52/sq mi)  (approx.)
Area	912 km2 (352.1 sq mi)
Time zone	ACST (UTC+9.5)
• Summer (DST)	ACDT (UTC+10.5)
Location	60 km (37 mi) NE of Adelaide city centre
LGA(s)	Barossa Council, Light Regional Council

The Barossa Valley is a valley in South Australia located 60 kilometres (37 mi) northeast of Adelaide city centre. The valley is formed by the North Para River. The Barossa Valley Way is the main road through the valley, connecting the main towns on the valley floor of Nuriootpa, Tanunda, Rowland Flat and Lyndoch. The Barossa Valley is notable as a major wine-producing region and tourist destination.

History

An overview of the Bethany vineyard, first planted in 1852. Bethany was the first settlement in the Barossa region.

The Barossa Valley derives its name from the Barossa Ranges, which were named by Colonel William Light in 1837. Light chose the name in memory of the British victory over the French in the Battle of Barrosa, in which he fought in 1811. The name "Barossa" was registered in error, due to a clerical error in transcribing the name "Barrosa". The area is approximately 13 by 14 kilometres (8.1 by 8.7 mi).

The three major towns of the Barossa all have distinctive personalities. Tanunda is generally recognised as the most German of the three, with long-standing traditions dating back to the 1840s when the first German settlers arrived in the area. Since many of the German settlers came from Prussian Silesia, they called the Barossa Neu-Schlesien, or "New Silesia". The German influence survives to this day (see Barossa German). Angaston, in contrast, is considered the English town as it was settled predominantly by Cornish miners and others from Britain. The third (and largest) town, Nuriootpa, was influenced by both the German and British settlers, and today is the commercial hub of the Barossa and it is where most of the larger stores are located. Tanunda and Angaston are considered 'tourist towns' in comparison to Nuriootpa because they have many more facilities to cater for tourists.

In February 2011, South Australian Premier Mike Rann announced that special legislation would be introduced to protect the unique heritage of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. Premier Rann said: "Barossa and McLaren Vale food and wine are key icons of South Australia. We must never allow the Barossa or McLaren Vale to become suburbs of Adelaide." The Character Preservation (Barossa Valley) Act 2012 was subsequently passed by the South Australian Parliament.

People

Currently, the Barossa Valley has a population of about 20,000. Most inhabitants live in Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Angaston, Williamstown and Lyndoch, each having over 1000 people. The remaining population lives in a few smaller towns, such as Moculta and Springton. All of these towns are part of the Barossa local government. Many facilities not available in these towns are usually supplemented in nearby Gawler. In recent years, increased development in the area has seen opposition from the local communities.

Religion

Main article: German Australian

The region has a strong German Lutheran history, and many residents identify themselves as Lutherans. Some towns have more than one Lutheran church. Tanunda, for example, has Langmeil, St. Paul's, Tabor and St. Johns. Nuriootpa has St. Petri and Holy Trinity. Angaston has Zion and Salem (Penrice).

Each major town also has a Lutheran primary school. Tanunda has Tanunda Lutheran School, Nuriootpa has Redeemer, and Angaston has Good Shepherd. St. Jakobi, the Lutheran primary school at Lyndoch, hosts the Barossa Airshow annually as its fundraiser.

Population

Major Town Populations:

Rank	Urban Centre	Population, 2006 census
1	Nuriootpa	4,414
2	Tanunda	4,153
3	Angaston	1,865
4	Williamstown	1,432
5	Lyndoch	1,415
6	Greenock	685
7	Mount Pleasant	593

As a rural region, there is also significant population outside of the town centres (not shown here).

Wine industry

Main article: Barossa Valley (wine)

See also: Barossa zone (wine) and List of wineries in the Barossa Valley

Wine grape vines in the Barossa Valley

The wine industry plays a major role in the Barossa, being the main source of employment for many residents. The many hectares of vineyards are the most distinctive feature of the area, especially when viewed from the Mengler Hill lookout, which is positioned on the range of hills that form one side of the valley itself. The success of the wine industry has historically been celebrated every two years with a week-long Barossa Valley Vintage Festival. The festival draws visitors from all over the world and has entertainment for all tastes including a huge street parade, concerts and gourmet dining.

The Barossa Valley is primarily known for its red wine, in particular Shiraz. Normally, large proportions of Barossa Shiraz are used in Penfolds Grange, Australia's most famous wine. Other main grape varieties grown in the region include: Riesling; Semillon; Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. Fortified wines have been traditionally produced in the region as well.

The Barossa Valley is a rich source of some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world. Shiraz vines planted as early as 1847 by Johann Frederick August Fiedler on Lot 1, Hundred of Moorooroo (the township of Tanunda) are still in commercial production today by Turkey Flat Vineyards.

Food production

Although it is overshadowed by the wine industry, significant food production occurs in the Barossa Valley, including:

• Bakeries like Apex Bakery in Tanunda, Linkes in Nuriootpa, Lyndoch Bakery in Lyndoch, and Sunrise in Angaston, all of which produce traditional German breads and pastries.
• Butchers who produce meats, mettwurst and other smallgoods in the German style, including Schultz Butchers at Angaston, Linke's Butchers at Nuriootpa, Mount Pleasant Butchers at Mount Pleasant, and Steiny's Traditional Mettwurst at Tanunda.
• Cheesemakers such as Barossa Valley Cheese Co. in Angaston, and Ballycroft Artisan Cheese in Greenock.
• Maggie Beer a writer and former restaurateur, had a restaurant in the Barossa Valley called The Pheasant Farm, drawing people from a wide area including Adelaide; it became renowned as one of Australia's leading and most innovative restaurants. The Pheasant Farm is now Maggie Beer's trademark name under which most of her products are sold, including pâtés, fruit pastes, jams, jellies, glazes, preserves, olive oil, verjuice, vinegars, herbs and spices, soups and ice cream. She is co-presenter of ABC Television's programme The Cook and The Chef.

Barossa foods have a reputation for their quality and local production is increasing. Barossa food products are sold in local markets and shops, and served in local cafés and restaurants. Many are exported internationally, and to other parts of Australia for sale through retailers or for restaurant use. Among some popular foods that are sold at the Barossa market are fruit tarts, pies, gourmet sandwiches and freshly made deli items.

The Barossa Valley holds a popular weekly Farmers' Market, supplying local produce which is sold directly by the producer.

Festivals

Barossa Vintage Festival

The week-long Barossa Vintage Festival is held biennially, in odd-numbered years. The festival runs for around a week in autumn, and traditionally marks and celebrates the completion of the year's vintage season, at the end of March and beginning of April. A variety of wine-themed events are held during the festival, including wine tastings and competitions, musical events, food events with local produce, balls and parades.

The Barossa Vintage Festival was first held in 1947, to celebrate the end of the grape harvest, and the end of hostilities in World War II, and has run continually since. It is Australia's oldest and longest-running wine festival.

Barossa... Be Consumed Gourmet Weekend

The Barossa... Be Consumed Gourmet weekend is a three-day food, wine and art celebration held in the third weekend of August every year. Local wineries and venues host individual events throughout the Barossa, offering food, wine, music, arts and hospitality.

See also

• German Australian
• Australian wine
• South Australian food and drink
• South Australian wine

External links

• Barossa Valley travel guide from Wikivoyage
• SouthAustralia.com South Australian Government tourism webpage
• Barossa Council official site
• Barossa Grape & Wine Association wine & tourism webpage
• RDA Barossa