Angaston: The Barossa’s Hidden Treasure

With an ever-growing list of premium wineries to visit, places to stay, history to soak up, and fine food to indulge in, it's hard to know where to start when you're looking for things to do in the Barossa.

After 170 years we know the Barossa better than most, and we think our little home on the hill, Angaston, is the best place to start.

Named after Barossa founder George Fife Angas, who started the South Australian Company and settled the area in the 1840s, Angaston is a quaint little English-style village with a strong rural, food and wine history to explore.

So, for those seeking things to do in the Barossa, look no further than these Angaston haunts…

Collingrove Homestead is the kind of idyllic bed and breakfast experience you'd expect of a world-famous wine region. A little piece of England, the homestead was built in 1856 and was the original family home of John Angas – son of George Fife Angas. Built for John's wife Suzanne to remind her of the ‘old country', it's also been the backdrop to hundreds of weddings over the years, making the sprawling property and its extensive gardens blissfully romantic. With inviting rooms decked out with luxurious leather couches, wood carved beds, claw foot baths, and breakfast served every morning on the sunny homestead veranda, you'll be transported back in time… but with all of the comforts you'd expect of a five-star hotel.

From fresh produce to the heartiest breakfast in the state, the Barossa Farmers Market is a must-experience destination for visitors to the Barossa and the perfect way to start your weekend in the Valley. Open every Saturday morning from 7:30 until 11:30, this undercover market, based just outside of the village of Angaston, is brimming with the freshest and finest fruit, vegetables, breads, cheeses, meats and charcuterie the region has to offer. Sit and enjoy your morning coffee and Market Burger while rubbing shoulders with locals and visitors, or do your weekly shopping – with everything from milk to fresh lamb on offer.

For a glimpse into the living history of Angaston there's no better place to discover "then and now" than Yalumba. Visit us at the Yalumba Wine Room to taste and discover the many varietals and styles produced at Yalumba or sit by the fire with one of our famous tasting platters and a glass of something delicious – red, white, and pink – while taking in the beautiful grounds. For a glimpse into what 170 years of winemaking history really looks like, you can also take a guided tour of the property's Museum cellar, distillery and cooperage.

The perfect place to stop for lunch is the stunning Harvest Kitchen. Sitting at the base of Mengler's Hill, between Angaston and Tanunda, this contemporary restaurant is also home to the Artisans of the Barossa cellar door, a conglomerate of small producers from around the Barossa. Try their delicious shared plates or famous pop-corn ice-cream to really tantalise your tastebuds, before tasting a flight of some of the regions finest small producers.

If you love cheese with your wine (who doesn't?), you must visit Angaston's famous Barossa Valley Cheese Company. With its newly renovated showroom stocking cheese, crackers and all the trimmings, you can taste your way through their award-winning cheddars, bries and camemberts before choosing the perfect fromage for your five-o'clockers.

If you'd prefer to create your own culinary classics, why not plan an Italian cooking class at Casa Carboni? Situated in the main street of Angaston, this intimate cooking school is run by husband and wife team Mateo and Fiona Carboni, who will teach you everything from deboning a pigeon, to making your own pasta. And for those looking for lunch, all classes conclude with a three-course feast, accompanied by matching Italian wines. If you don't have the time to take a class, it's worth a visit to indulge in a strong coffee, wine by the glass, a simple pasta lunch, or to buy Matteo's famous homemade nougat. You'll also find an array of imported foods and handcrafted home, kitchen and gift wares for those who enjoy a spot of shopping!

When it comes to fine dining in the Barossa, look no further than Vintners Bar & Grill. You won't find a fussy degustation with smoke and mirrors here, but you will find a sophisticated menu of seasonal, locally sourced and expertly produced dishes from award winning head chef Peter Clarke. Sitting by the warming stone fireplace, you'll also find one of the Barossa's best wine lists, excellent service from host Rami Heer, and a bustling room filled with local wine industry personalities and families who treat Vintners as their second home.