Must Stops along Seppeltsfield Road

Drive along Seppeltsfield Road in the Barossa region of South Australia and you’ll discover eleven cellar doors hugging the route and many acclaimed attractions along the way. The date palm-lined roadway is also one of the most photographed locations in the country.When you visit why not stop to wine, dine, play and stay. Here’s a sampling of where to stop along the road, also known as the ‘Palm Avenue’:

Special Wines: A visit along the Seppeltsfield Road must include a stop at Seppetlsfield Winery, where the heart of the winery is a unique collection of fortified wines which also boasts the century old Para Port which were carefully matured in the bluestone cellars. It is quite impossible to miss Seppeltsfield Winery. It is characterised by endless rows of palm trees, turret-like buildings and unique shaped wine vats. The result is that it is very distinctive. By the 1890s the winery was recognised as the most modern in the world. Today it is a total winery experience with cellar door sales, wine tasting, picnic facilities and there are also tours of the winery.

Luxury Vineyard Retreat: Enjoy your stay at Peppers The Louise, a luxury vineyard retreat on a gentle hill surrounded by hundreds of acres of vines. Its acclaimed onsite restaurant Appellation offers seasonal cuisine nightly for casually elegant dining under the guidance of Executive Chef Mark McNamara. An hour’s drive from Adelaide, Peppers The Louise is one of Australia's premier vineyard retreats.

Shakespeare in the Vines: An annual performance held on the Saturday night of the January long weekend each year, it is presented by Essential Theatre and forms part of the Discover Seppeltsfield Road route. Tickets for A Midsummer Nights Dream are now available until October 2008. Be quick to book, numbers are limited. If you miss it, you’ll have to wait another year.

Old-Style Charm: Discover different types of accommodations along the Seppeltsfield Road such as The Lodge Country House, a 100 year old Edwardian homestead originally built for the Seppelt Family. Located directly opposite Seppelt’s Winery, it is set in 3 acres of gardens, which includes a lawn tennis court and swimming pool. Relax in elegant and comfortable surroundings, with good country food. Luxurious accommodation is provided for 4 special couples and each room is individually decorated, and has a bay window seat, separate air conditioning and en suite bathroom.

Cellar Doors: It’s hard to miss a cellar door along the Seppeltsfield Road when you look out the window of your car. Stop at Two Hands Wines found in a late nineteenth century stone cottage and bake house. Open for tastings and sales seven days a week, the cellar door prides itself on offering visitors a memorable experience, one which is intimate, informative and relaxed. Be sure also to visit Whistler Wines, where you can take in the views of the vines and gardens while tasting its award-winning products. There are swings and toys to keep the children entertained while you enjoy your picnic on the lawns, or make use of the free BBQ facilities. You may even get a chance to pat BJ the family dog, or take a walk down to the dams to visit the resident geese.

Vineyard Retreats: What could be more fun than to wander amongst vines, enjoy some delicious local cheeses and drink excellent wine? Stay at the Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage and soak in the meticulously restored 1860s German cottage in a vineyard setting, exclusively for one couple. Open fire, king size cast iron bed, vineyard views from the deep antique bath cleanses the soul. Similarly, privacy and luxury is assured when you stay at Stonewell Cottages, a waterfront vineyard retreat designed for those who appreciate quality, privacy and luxury. The three cottages are tucked away in the vines of Stonewell Vineyards overlooking a private lake. It is a tranquil world away from stresses and hectic schedules, an ideal place to escape and rejuvenate with luxury spas, cosy wood fires, and romantic bedrooms. Breakfast is served on the verandah to the birds' serenade.

Maggie’s Best: An absolute must whilst in the Barossa is a visit to the legendary Maggie Beer's Farm Shop. Maggie Beer - cook, writer and founder of 'Maggie Beer Products' - offers tastings and sales of her full range including limited edition seasonal produce. Customers can browse amongst her personally selected regional specialty goods, purchase one of her signed books or simply sit back and take in the view. Maggie Beer's Farm Shop is a food haven where you can enjoy all day picnic-fare whether inside or out, an espresso coffee or a glass of Pheasant Farm or Beer Brothers wine.

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