Tag Archives: Wineries

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Exploring South Australia

While it may be most known for being Australia’s food and wine capital, South Australia is a land of dreamy desert-scapes, rugged coastlines, some of the oldest mountains on the planet, and islands that are abundant with wildlife. From cosmopolitan cities to lush, sprawling vineyards, these are some of South Australia’s most popular destinations.

Barossa Valley

Barossa Valley
Originally settled by the Germans in the 1840s, Barossa Valley still retains its German ambiance, and is also famous all over the world for being the oldest wine producing region in the country, as well as one of the finest wine producing regions overall. Winery tours are the most popular activity here, with over 150 wineries, as well as 80 cellar doors, to choose from. A large number of the wineries also have their own restaurants on site, where they make use of the freshest of local produce to cook up innovative and seasonal meals.

Port Augusta
A three and a half hour drive from Adelaide, Port Augusta is often referred to as the crossroad of South Australia, as the roads from here travel all across the region. This area is steeped in history, from the Wadlata Outback Centre, which will take you back to the time when dinosaurs roamed the land, to the Homestead Park Pioneer Museum, which is over 130 years old. For those who want to learn more about the flora and fauna of South Australia’s outback, the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens is the place to go, showcasing a range of drought-resistant plants.

Kangaroo Island, Australia

Kangaroo Island
The third largest island in Australia, Kangaroo Island is, as you would expect from the name, packed with kangaroos, as well as many other native animals, from seals to koalas to penguins. In addition to the wildlife, the island is also home to the Flinders Chase National Park, as well as the Kangaroo Island Farm Gate and Cellar Door Trail, which is a must-do walk for food enthusiasts, as it showcases the incredible fresh foods that are grown in this unspoiled landscape.

Heysen Trail
South Australia is home to endless walking trails, but the Heysen Trail is considered to be one of the best of them all. Stretching out for 1200 kilometers, those who want to really explore South Australia will be able to take in all of its natural diversity from the trail, while those who are not such avid walkers can easily hike just a small section instead. The trail passes by everything from the Kuitpo forest plantations to the gorges of the Flinders Desert to the soaring peaks of Mount Lofty, and even the Barossa Valley.

South Australia is a vast region, and there are many different ways in which you can explore it. Whether you spend your days eating and drinking your way around the Barossa Valley, or don your hiking boots and walk the Heysen Trail, South Australia is the perfect destination for those who want to spend some time off the beaten track and appreciate some of the country’s hidden gems.

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Food & Wine in Swan Valley

Swan Valley Vineyard

Less than a thirty-minute drive from Perth’s city center lies Swan Valley, not only one of the oldest wine-growing regions in Australia but also one of the premier food destinations in the country. The Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail stretches for 32 scenic kilometers and is where you will find some of the best wineries, restaurants and cafés in the state.

Wine
A large number of the wineries in Swan Valley were among the first to be established in Western Australia, with the region producing wine for over 180 years now. One of the main charms when it comes to the wineries here is the focus on small boutique wineries, and while there are still some big names to be found, it is the smaller, family-owned vineyards that really shine. Since Swan Valley experiences quite a warm and dry climate, it is perfect for producing some of the best shiraz, cabernet and verdhelo varieties that Australia has to offer, and this, combined with advanced wine making technology and equipment, has given the wines that come from this region a level of perfection that cannot be beaten.

Wineries
Carilley Estate is a family-run vineyard in Swan Valley and has been producing wine for over fifty years. With picturesque gardens featuring majestic greenery, this is definitely one of the more scenic of Swan Valley vineyards, and the lush surroundings add a whole new dimension to the wine tasting. Sandalford Wines is one of the oldest and largest family-run wineries in the state, and is also one of the most sustainable in the country, making their techniques well worth viewing. Talijancich Wines was established in 1932, and has quite the reputation for their award-winning wines, with gourmet cheeseboards available to accompany tastings.

Restaurants and Cafés
With over 90 different restaurants and cafés on the Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail to choose from, each of them making use of regional produce and fresh ingredients in their own way, it can be extremely difficult deciding which to visit! Broads Café, which can be found at the Upper Reach Winery, puts their own twist on their fresh, gourmet food by serving it up tapas style, and focussing on a selection of tasting plates that beautifully accompany the wines from their vineyard. Another fantastic restaurant is situated in the historic Valencia Vineyard, with the owner cooking up fresh and delicious homemade food. The Cheese Barrel is another popular spot on the trail, because, as can be guessed from their name, they focus on specialized wine and cheese pairings, making use of both local and international cheeses.

Australia has a number of different regions that are known for their outstanding food and wine, and Swan Valley is at the top of that list. While it is possible to take a day tour of the region and visit a select number of wineries and restaurants, it really is worthwhile to spend a few days here, taking in the unique aspects of each vineyard, as well as the rich natural beauty all around.

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Woodinville Wine Country

Closeup of grapes in a vineyard

Located just half an hour’s drive from Seattle, Woodinville Wine Country is home to more than 100 different wineries and tasting rooms. Thanks to the warm and arid climate of Washington’s Columbia Valley, protected from Seattle’s marine climate by the Cascade Mountains, as well as its sandy, gravelly soil, the region is ideal for planting and growing grapevines, resulting in world-class fine wines that attract wine enthusiasts from all over the globe.

Chateau Ste Michelle
Chateau Ste Michelle is one of the two largest wineries in Washington, and combines Old World winemaking traditions with New World innovations. With two state-of-the-art wineries, Chateau Ste Michelle splits their production between the two, with their red wines coming from their winery in Eastern Washington, and their whites coming from Woodinville Wine Country. The winery has won numerous awards for their wines and production techniques, as well as for their brand as a whole, and offers complimentary tastings and tours for those who want a behind-the-scenes look at exactly what goes into these premium wines.

DeLille Cellars
A boutique artisan winery that was founded in 1992, DeLille Cellars uses a combination of fruit from their own vineyards, as well as others from the Yakima Valley, picking only the very best fruits for their wine production. Wine tastings are held in the winery’s tasting room, with a tasting menu that changes each day, but always features exceptional vintages.

Kestrel Vintners
With a 126-acre estate vineyard, Kestrel Vintners puts a focus on growing exceptional fruit, correctly believing that this will then lead to the finest of wines. The majority of the wines produced here are reds, from Cabernet Franc to Malbec to Merlot to Syrah, while some of the white varieties include Old Vine Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Kestrel Vintners also produces blends, beautifully crafted from a mix of specific varietals, and always different each year. For those who want to know all about the production of wine from grape to glass, Kestrel offers a one and a half hour comprehensive tour, which includes tasting some of their most popular, and some of their most unusual, wines.

Stevens Winery
Founded in 2002, the Stevens Winery specializes in producing wines that have a distinct and individual character, with fruits that have been grown in the Yakima Valley. Currently, the winery produces six red varieties and two whites, with one of their most popular being the 2012 BlackTongue Syrah, which, after being aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, is powerful, juicy and truly unforgettable.

Being home to two of the largest wineries in Washington, Woodinville Wine Country attracts a constant stream of visitors, who are also interested in taking a look at the smaller, boutique wineries in the area. With distinct and delicious wines, and spectacularly picturesque surroundings, Woodinville Wine Country is a must-visit for any wine enthusiasts that are visiting Washington. There are a number of tours offered that take visitors through a few of the different wineries, with enough time for tastings allocated to each one, and these are definitely worthwhile if you want to explore the extraordinary variety of wines that the region produces.

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Best Agritourism Destinations Around the World

When it comes to eco-tourism, agritourism is one of the fastest growing sectors, appealing to travellers who want to enjoy the simpler things in life. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, agritourism refers to spending your vacation at an agriculture-oriented property, such as a farm, and often participating in their day-to-day activities, giving you a unique experience and a deeper understanding of nature. OROGOLD take a look at some of the best agritourism destinations around the world.

Vineyard n Sonoma County, USA.

California, USA 
With such a large diversity of farms and crops, California is another US state that is great for a farm stay, with many family run farms relying on the agritourism industry to keep them going. Although there are many vineyards in Sonoma and on the Central Coast that people can stay at, learning more about the grapes and the wine making process, there are also a large number of smaller family farms, as well as medium-sized ranches, that offer a more hands-on experience. From learning about organic farming techniques to working with a variety of different animals to offering your own input on an outsider’s view of the farm, a Californian farm stay is always an enriching experience.

Coffee plantation in Hawaii

Hawaii, USA
Hawaii’s farm tourism industry is well-developed, and a great choice for those who want a more tropical agritourism vacation. Choices are extremely varied, catering to the different wants of visitors, from exploring Kona’s coffee plantations to staying on organic farms on Oahu. Since there are so many different options, this means that visitors don’t have to devote their whole vacation to agritourism, and can instead just include specific activities on their itinerary. However, those who want a more immersive experience will enjoy participating in daily farm activities, as well as sampling some of the best ingredients that Hawaii’s farms produce.

Vineyard in Tuscany, Italy.

Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany was one of the first regions to become a popular agritourism destination, mostly due to its many traditional farmhouses that have been converted into quaint inns. With acres of farmland sprawled out amongst the Italian countryside, Tuscany has become one of the greatest food and wine regions in the world, and is home to Chianti wine along with many other regional specialties. Fresh food is one of Tuscany’s big traditions, so many of the converted farmhouses have attached restaurants that serve up delicious, local fare. Although there are a few Tuscan estates with an educational focus, many people that visit simply want to soak up the local atmosphere and enjoy the regional produce.

Those of you who are nature and animal lovers are likely to instantly fall in love with the concept of agritourism. However, there will also be many of you who are intrigued, but not yet willing to sacrifice your rare vacation time to work on a farm. If this is the case, OROGOLD highly recommends incorporating some agritourism activities into your next vacation, wherever in the world it may be, giving you the opportunity to try it out without having to fully commit.

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OROGOLD’s Timeless Destinations: Texas Hill Country

A flowing waterfall with giant gnarly roots and cypress trees in Texas Hill Country,

Being the second largest state in the US, Texas seems to have it all, from the bright lights of the big cities to the simplicity of the small towns to the stretches of white sandy beaches and other natural wonders. Texas Hill Country, the pride of Texas, comprising of 25 county regions, has a landscape of rugged hills, underground caverns, countless creeks, unique vegetation and open roads that seem to go on forever. Once an independent nation, the 25 million residents of Texas are bound together by a shared history and culture, and their pride in their state’s heritage is why OROGOLD considers these Texas Hill Country destinations to be timeless.

A cowboy riding riding into the night.

Bandera
Bandera, the self-proclaimed cowboy capital of the world, was once part of the ‘Wild West’, and clings to their roots more than other country towns, giving visitors a taste of an authentic western atmosphere. Bandera hosts many rodeos, from local open competitions to top-name rodeos, attracting talent from all over the country. Bandera is also known for their honky tonks, and several nights a week sees many of these bars open their doors to customers. If you want to catch some live country music, the weekends are the best time to visit. The area around Bandera is also sprinkled with many different dude ranches, from ones that cater exclusively to visitors to working ranches that allow visitors to help out with day-to-day tasks, giving them a true western experience. For more outdoor activities, the Hill Country State National Park has some picturesque horse riding trails, and is also great for fishing and walking, while the Medina River is extremely popular in the summer months with swimmers, inner-tubers and canoeists.

Historic public library in Fredericksburg.

Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, founded by German immigrants in 1846, is home to a thriving German community, as well as one of the most successful wine industries in the country. Texas is the fifth largest wine producer in the country, and most of this comes from Hill Country, with over 20 different award-winning wineries on your doorstep that you can visit. Fredericksburg is also known for its German influened cuisine, as well as its delectable Texan BBQ delights, and OROGOLD especially loves the variety of dining establishments available, from outdoor patios to indoor Biergartens (beer gardens). Fredericksburg is also an ideal place to learn more about the German, Native American and military history of the region, with the impressive state-of-the-art National Museum of the Pacific War being a great starting point, followed by a tour of the private ranch of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president of the United States. For some timeless outdoor adventure, head to the nearby rock climber’s playground, the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, a looming dome of pink granite that rises 325 feet above the small stream that flows around its base.

From the fine craftsmanship of its German towns to the pocket canyons and sparkling rivers, the Hill Country is the geographic and emotional heart of Texas. The gentle hills doused in wild-flowers, relatively untouched by the oil industry, and its deep cowboy culture roots makes the Hill Country OROGOLD’s favorite timeless destination in Texas.