The Louise Barossa Valley

Set among the gently rolling hills and vineyards characteristic of the Barossa Valley, The Louise offers guests a relaxed and luxurious stay in generously sized villa-style suites well suited to the region’s Mediterranean vibe.

Centrally located in the hamlet of Marananga, The Louise offers guests a ‘backstage pass’ to the region’s world renowned wineries, vineyards, restaurants, markets and art galleries.

The Louise is styled in the manner of a Southern European villa, with French doors in townhouse suites opening onto private courtyards and outwards to views of the vineyards and surrounding pastures. Suites open to a central walkway framed by seasonally changing grapevines, lavender, and rosemary, which leads to the main lodge, lounges, bar and restaurants.

The Appellation restaurant is set within The Louise and has a long-held position as the world class dining destination in South Australia. Generously sized windows frame the multi-award-winning restaurant and offer views of the vineyards and countryside.

Appellation is renowned for showcasing premium local ingredients, offering a real sense of place for diners. Appellation dining is available for guests at The Louise and for Barossa visitors and residents.

Reflecting the contours of the Barossa landscape, Contour is a charming bar and kitchen with a relaxed vibe where diners can enjoy a cocktail or premium Barossa wine by the glass while deciding on a next move from the menu. Favourites at the popular locals’ haunt include mouth-watering classics including burgers and to-die-for-fries.

After a day’s adventuring, wine tasting and feasting, there are options to get back on track at The Louise. Perfectly positioned to watch the sun set over the vineyards is the wet-edge lap pool, while the nearby fitness centre is fully equipped with cross trainer, treadmills, bikes and weights. Adjacent is a cedar sauna with dry or humid functions and a shower to refresh.

THE HISTORY
The Louise was opened by hoteliers Jim and Helen Carreker in 2005, having spent a decade searching for an ideal property to transform into a luxury lodge that would be an essential part of the place and its community.

The Louise’s previous incarnations were as Peppers Hermitage or The Hermitage at Marananga. The Louise is the birthplace of the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection, and in 2021 Baillie Lodges purchased the property as a natural fit for the collection.

THE VISION
In the Baillie Lodges sisterhood, The Louise aligns with Capella on Lord Howe Island and Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree Rainforest, each offering a luxury base from which to explore, with generous inclusions.

Longitude 131° at Uluru Kata-Tjuta and Southern Ocean Lodge currently underbuild on Kangaroo Island are fully inclusive lodges which include personally guided tours. Overseas, New Zealand’s Huka Lodge and Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on Vancouver Island are recent additions to the growing portfolio.

CONTINENTAL LUXURY
The Louise founders Jim and Helen Carreker believed that luxurious accommodation complements a truly memorable food and wine experience. Indeed, the couple coined the term ‘culinary tourism’ for this specialist approach.

Frequent travellers to France, Spain, Portugal and California, the Carrekers modelled their own property on their favourite experiences. Principal to the model is the restaurant and carefully planned cellar as primary destination while luxurious accommodation is an essential accompaniment.

LUXURY OF OZ
Luxury Lodges of Australia is a collection of independent luxury lodges and camps offering unforgettable experiences in Australia’s most extraordinary locations.

There are 19 lodges in this stellar collection of the nation’s most celebrated properties. The Louise is a member of the collection alongside Baillie Lodges sister properties Capella Lodge, Longitude 131°, Silky Oaks Lodge and Southern Ocean Lodge.

COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT 
Baillie Lodges’ commitment to environmental sustainability is best expressed by each lodge’s interaction with its local natural and cultural surroundings. A dynamic environmental management plan is at the heart of lodge operations and ultimately enhances each guest’s experience of the destination. How we support travelling for good.

COMMUNITY
The Louise employs a large proportion of its team from the local community and actively supports local initiatives and events like the Barossa and Marananga Wine Shows and the Seppeltsfield Road Business Alliance. The Louise also supports social organisations like the Barossa Foundation, Room to Read, Ronald McDonald House and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

PRODUCE
Singing fresh greens and vegetables that appear on Appellation’s menu each evening are from The Louise’s own kitchen garden, just metres from the restaurant.

The use of producers based within 100km to provide an average of 85% of ingredients served in the restaurant results in significant economic return to the local community, producers and smaller markets, helping to keep local family businesses viable.

RECYCLING
Paper and glass recycling is practised throughout the property. A worm farm has been established to recycle all wet waste from the kitchen and provide rich fertiliser for the grounds, thus minimising waste removal requirements from the property. A waste water treatment plant has been installed to recycle all waste water from the property to maintain the grounds and gardens.

WATER
South Australia is the driest state in the driest continent in the world. Water conservation and recycling is an imperative for all who live here. Water served in the restaurant is filtered, collected rainwater. For sparkling water, the restaurant carbonates the filtered rainwater, not relying on imported bottled water, thus reducing landfill and carbon emissions.

ROOMS & SUITES
Leading from a central walkway lined with the region’s signature grapevines, fifteen private villa-style suites welcome guests with gates opening onto rosemary-lined courtyards complete with outdoor seating.

Inside, guests make themselves at home in generous, high-ceilinged lounging spaces, luxuriously appointed king beds and ensuite bathrooms. An intimate workspace and in-suite bar lead to French doors which open to fields and vineyards, and the waiting Barossa Valley.

STONEWELL SUITE
The Stonewell Suite is named for the neighbouring Barossa hamlet. Styled with contemporary furnishings and luxurious appointments, with generous living spaces and private courtyards creating the feel of a European townhouse. High ceilings, French doors and an open fireplace offer a sophisticated vibe.

Entry to the Stonewell Suite is via a private, stone walled outdoor courtyard with a welcoming garden and seating perfect for enjoying a tea or afternoon glass of wine. Inside, generous lounging includes furniture and joinery in walnut, plus a separate sitting area with daybed perfectly positioned to catch the warm sun streaming through the open doors to the terrace.

A king-sized Baillie Bed takes centre stage in the sleeping area, framed by a plush upholstered bedhead and dressed in luxurious linens and Bemboka blankets customary to a Baillie Lodges stay. A marble-walled ensuite bathroom offers a deep spa bath and walk-in shower. Step outside to bathe beneath the Barossa skies with a private rain shower.

MARANANGA SUITE
The premium Marananga Suite has a lovely connection to the Barossa region’s First Nations Peramangk and Nadjurri people who refer to the tiny, creekside valley as ‘Marananga’. Featuring warm interiors with tones of off-white contrasting with charcoals and deep blues, the Marananga Suite is a stylish, contemporary retreat.

Warmed by an open fireplace, the high-ceilinged Marananga Suite features a generous lounge complete with in-suite bar perfect for reading and enjoying a glass of local wine, leading to a working nook and the bedroom. Outside, the private terrace offers daybeds for drinking in the view.

The king-sized Baillie Bed is dressed in luxurious linens with throws in contemporary tones of charcoal and moss greens and is anchored by a plush bedhead that extends to encompass the lamp-lit nightstands. The ensuite bathroom features a walk-in shower, spa bath and a luxurious outdoor rain shower.

BETHANY SUITE
The Bethany Suite is named for the small village outside of Tanunda. It’s ideal for families and features two bedrooms, including a master bedroom and second bedroom which may be configured with twin beds.

Designed to offer a generous home-style, luxury lodging stay for families and couples, the Bethany Suite’s contemporary interiors and easy access to the outdoors promise a stylish and fun Barossa getaway.

The Bethany Suite lounge is amply proportioned and features luxurious lounges in muted tones of charcoal and moss greens, while an open gas log fire warms the lounge in winter and is perfect for cosying up with a book and a glass of wine.

A work nook and compact kitchen offer home-style necessities while an in-suite bar is stocked with local gourmet treats. Outdoors, a private outdoor terrace is ideal for dining al fresco.

Both bedrooms in the Bethany Suite feature signature king Baillie Beds, one configurable as twin king singles. Beds are dressed with premium linens and alpaca Bemboka throws, with bedheads upholstered in contemporary charcoal tones. Ensuite bathrooms feature a walk-in rain shower and private outdoor shower open to the heavens – the master also offers a deep spa bath for soaking.

DINING
Dining at The Louise is a local affair, where seasonal, singing fresh and locally grown produce combines on harmoniously designed, contemporary menus and sits neatly alongside a carefully developed selection of fine wines from the Barossa region and beyond.

The award-winning Appellation restaurant headlines the lodge’s dining offering while Contour bar and kitchen, a walk-in wine cellar and sink-in lounges complete a gourmand’s delight. Appellation and Contour both welcome guests at The Louise as well as casual diners for dinner.

THE BREAKFAST
Breakfast is served in Appellation restaurant and includes fresh juices, a signature selection of South Australia’s own T-Bar loose leaf teas and Barossa Coffee Roasters espresso.

Start with a Mehl Sourdough crumpet with local honey or choices from an a la carte menu including free-range eggs, locally produced smallgoods and greens freshly picked from the kitchen garden. For guests heading out early, a breakfast pack ‘to go’ is available by ordering the night prior.

THE LUNCH
Explore the full range of culinary stories on our doorstep. The Louise team possess the best ‘little black book’ in the Barossa, and will happily curate a day of tasting and touring perfectly matched to guest palate and appetite. Discover some of their top recommendations in our Barossa Black Book.

ARTISANS OF BAROSSA
Artisans started as a collaborative cellar door for eight prestigious family-owned wineries and has grown into an exciting new offering; part providore, part cellar door along with two dining venues.

Delikatessen offers relaxed all-day eats and drinks and the more formal Essen restaurant presents a contemporary interpretation of seasonal Barossa food, with two, three or four course menu options or ‘feed me’ sharing menus available.

DAVID FRANZ
Voted ‘Coolest Cellar Door’ in the Best Cellar Door Awards 2021 and located a short drive or bike ride from The Louise, a visit to David Franz is a must-do. The original 1860’s cottage has been brought to vibrant new life with eclectic styling, filled with the warmth of a true Barossa welcome. Sample a selection of wines and build a custom platter of delicious local treats.

THE EATERY 
The Eatery is located at Maggie Beer’s Pheasant Farm. Together, Ellie Beer and Chef Tim Bourke (formerly of Southern Ocean Lodge) bring an inspired ‘farm to table’ dining experience showcasing the ‘Best in Barossa’ produce, set within a stylish dining room. A visit to The Eatery is an excellent way to spend an afternoon, taking in Maggie’s own philosophy that ‘great food is for sharing’.

FINO
Situated in the historic Seppeltsfield village, Fino is recognised as one of Australia’s best destinations for a long, leisurely lunch. Chef Dan Murphy works extensively with local producers to share the finest flavours of the season, while Sharon Romeo (Gourmet Traveller’s Restaurant Personality of the Year 2022) and her front of house team deliver the best in genuine Barossa hospitality.

ST HUGO
Set away from the Barossa thoroughfare, St Hugo is home to some of the region’s finest wines. The ski chalet-inspired architecture of the restaurant and tasting room presents a modernist expression unique to the valley.

The exclusive ‘Riedel Tasting’ experience is highly recommended for its fun and interactive format – a surprise with every glass! The extensive modern Australian lunch menu is a fine match for the premium St Hugo label wines.

THE APPELLATION
Open to visitors for dinner, Appellation restaurant is recognised as South Australia’s world-class regional dining destination. Window seats and private dining nooks nestle guests as they indulge in a culinary journey of Barossa a la mode.

A considered degustation menu reflects the region’s community of winemakers, farmers and growers with fresh produce. The Appellation team presents each dish with its paired wine, creating an overarching, very Barossan culinary story.

The award-winning, light filled establishment restaurant is framed by large windows with restful views to the vineyards and rolling hills. The intimate space features private dining nooks and window tables for two, perfect for either a local degustation menu or a relaxed dinner with a loved one.

The Louise’s elegant atmosphere has its heart here and guests will experience dining driven both by generations of Barossa culture and contemporary Australian cuisine.

Appellation’s culinary team works with the rhythms of the seasons, harvesting from the kitchen garden and sourcing fresh produce from the Barossa community’s growers and farmers. Dishes tell the story of the moment, the season, the landscape and community in an unforgettable taste of the Barossa.

The culinary team at The Louise creates a celebration of local wine and food as the most natural of partners and an extensive wine list showcases the best of the Barossa, South Australia and the world.

Guests dining in Appellation enjoy wine or non-alcoholic pairings included in the tariff, with the option to select a bottle (at additional charge) from the beautiful ‘wine lantern’ cellar which glows golden with fine wine stories.

THE CONTOUR
Contour is a popular spot for a drink and a bite to eat with locals and guests alike. Dine-in on a menu of Australian pub inspired classics and fan-favourites, including buttermilk fried chicken and wagyu beef burgers, mushroom and parmesan gnocchi, and homemade doughnuts with jam and jersey cream.

Paired with local craft beers, specialty cocktails and a world-class wine menu, Contour’s vibe is more casual than big sister, fine diner Appellation while the passion for great food and service remains the same.

Guests at Contour are warmly welcomed by the rattle of a cocktail shaker, the pop of a cork and the hum of conversation. With club-style furnishings and a stand-around bar, Contour is a hub for easy get-togethers for guests and locals alike. There’s a chance to try hyper local, limited release, cellar-door-only wines by the glass, Barossa small batch brews and gins distilled just down the road.

The classics are all here on the menu at Contour, including crispy roast chicken, homemade gnocchi and mouth-watering burgers which have earned a local cult following.

For grazing, there’s an array of starters and side dishes that will surprise and delight, such as a SA charcuterie plate, spicy prawn toast or buttered mussels. There’s a perfect combination of favourites here for a light but satisfying bite after a big day’s adventuring – and wining and dining – in the Barossa.

Whether you plan to stop-in for a beer, enjoy a cocktail on the terrace under the Barossan sun, or indulge in a dive-in list of very local and experimental wines, Contour has the perfect drinks menu for your fix.

A popular choice for guests and locals alike, and its support for the region’s wines – from globally renowned to newly emerging labels – means you may be mingling with winemakers by the bar.

A LOCAL DROP
Guests are treated to a diverse selection of premium beverages, from locally distilled small batch spirits to craft beers and an extended range of local labels from South Australia’s rich wine growing regions. Sunset drinks and snacks are served in the lounge each evening as the sun tilts over the valley, allowing guests to mingle and swap stories of the day’s adventures.

WALK-IN WINE CELLAR
In the manner of Aladdin’s Cave, the new walk-in cellar invites wandering to explore and discover unexpected treasures! The carefully developed collection includes local Barossa wines and premium, boutique Australian wines. A select cellarmasters list includes French Champagne and exclusively Barossa vintages including Grange and Hill of Grace.

SUNSET DRINKS 
As the sun eases towards a vineyard-lined horizon, guests at The Louise gather in the lounge to mingle and sample sunset drinks and snacks. Try fine, local wine and small batch brews, a ‘House G&T’ or choose from a winning cocktail list featuring classics and creations with a local flavour twist. It’s a time to share tales of the day’s Barossa adventures.

IN-SUITE BAR
Replenished daily and generously included in the tariff, the in-suite bar at The Louise includes a special selection of local gourmet treats for enjoyment all to oneself (or with a buddy) at any time. Snacks include house-made biscuits, Barossa cheese and crackers, preserves and chocolates, fresh juice, the ‘House’ gin, plus a favourite, very local wine.

BAROSSA VALLEY
A leisurely hour’s drive northeast (70 kilometres or 37 miles) of South Australia’s capital city Adelaide, the Barossa Valley is recognised around the world as one of the nation’s premier wine regions – made famous by its old-vine shiraz vintages and home to grand estates steeped in history alongside smaller cellar-door only wineries ripe for discovery.

Today, the Barossa is a food and wine haven, with its European settler heritage combining with new traditions in a warm and welcoming community. The seasonally changing colours of the Barossa create a vibrant patchwork made up of gently undulating hills with rolling vineyards, farms, pastoral land and forests quilting the countryside.

Golden sunlight falls across the landscape, creating a relaxed and gentrified atmosphere that pairs perfectly with long al fresco lunches enjoyed with wine and friends or a loved one.

The Barossa region, with its Mediterranean climate and familiar landscape, was a popular destination for European settlers, establishing a rich heritage and real blend of Australian and European cultures over time.

The Barossa Valley was first settled by German Lutherans in 1842 and German language, culture and cuisine is very much at the heart of the Barossa community. The people who live, work and create in the Barossa make up a rich, diverse and close-knit tapestry that makes the region such a warm and rewarding place to visit.

The community works together, supporting each other and working with each other’s produce for shared benefit. Chefs and artists work alongside food producers, winemakers and specialist tour operators, creating a community of thriving personally owned, small businesses.

Aside from its range of wines, the Barossa is renowned for its gourmet foods – often sustainably grown, with small-scale producers embracing the artisan techniques of their European and English forebears to create specialty goods which are a delight in everyday menus.

A visit to the Barossa Markets each Saturday reveals goodies including small goods and preserves, organic milks, yoghurts and cheeses and singing fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables.

The Barossa Valley is home to some of the world’s most treasured grapevines including the earth’s oldest, continuously producing Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro, Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillon vineyards. Today, visitors’ shoes, clothing and car tyres can spread diseases, including phylloxera.

These pests could devastate the Barossa’s ancient vineyards and the broader wine growing region. Protecting the Barossa’s vines and its heritage is simple and a vital cause for us all to own: please don’t walk, ride or drive amongst the vines. Cheers to that!

BAROSSA VALLEY SEASONS
A Mediterranean climate best describes weather in the Barossa, with its warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters ideal for viticulture as well as fruit and vegetable and livestock farming. Its warm sunshine makes its viticultural temperature slightly warmer than wines regions Bordeaux in France and the Margaret River Western Australia.

The busy harvest season runs from mid-February to late April. A community of producers, Barossans are in tune with the seasons and in keeping with tradition continue to keep an eye on the nature’s cycles, moon, the harvest and the long-term forecast.

SUMMER
Summer days are long and sunny, with warm to hot daytime temperatures and slightly cooler evenings. The landscape is lined with green vineyards laden with ripening grapes, orchards are heavy with stone fruit and the patchwork of farmlands turns a light gold. The wine harvest begins late in the season. Daytime temperatures range from 26-29°C in summer.

AUTUMN 
Autumn days are easy in the Barossa, with mild days and cooler evenings. The grape harvest continues and orchards yield crops of apples, pears, quinces and figs, and mushrooms spring up in forests making rewarding foraging. The annual Tanunda Agricultural Show is a season highlight for locals and visitors. Daytime temperatures range from 17-26°C in autumn.

WINTER
Winter is chilly in the Barossa, making it a perfect time to relax by a crackling open fire with a glass of the region’s signature shiraz. The landscape is wintry, with vines pruned and the many deciduous trees bare. It’s a wonderful season for brisk walks, wine tasting and long, decadent dining. Daytime temperatures range from 12-16°C in winter.

SPRING
Spring in the Barossa is fine, with warmer days signalling buds to burst on the vineyards, bright green leaves to spread along the wines and fruit trees to blossom in pinks, whites and reds. It’s a season to enjoy outdoor activities alongside wine tasting and long, al fresco lunches. Daytime temperatures range from 17-24°C in spring.

EXPERIENCE
Located in the heart of the Barossa, The Louise offers a stylish base from which to explore the region’s wineries and cellar doors, restaurants and producers, art galleries and nature walks.

Entrenched in the close-knit community of farmers, winemakers and artists, the team at The Louise is a natural fit as concierge, connecting guests with local events and personalised experiences to create an unforgettable ‘backstage pass’ to the Barossa.

The Louise offers guests a central hub from which to plan their experience of the Barossa. The team partners with many local operators to create exclusive experiences for guests at The Louise. Additional charges apply.

BREAKFAST WITH THE ROOS
One of the best-loved experiences at The Louise, ‘Breakfast with the Roos’ is an early morning adventure to the Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park for a meet and greet.

With espresso coffees pre-ordered and served steaming first up, this morning adventure starts with a 20-minute drive to the nearby Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park, famous for its panoramic valley views and home to nature walking trails.

Guests join a conservation guide to embark on the Stringy Bark Loop trail for a wonderful insight to the region’s diverse flora and fauna – including kangaroos seen in their natural habitat. A gourmet picnic breakfast is served for an up-close-and-personal encounter with the locals.

COAST & CO
South Australian local, Coast and Co. owner Simon Burley is a personal tour director, creating bespoke experiences of the Barossa tailored to guests’ likes and interests.

With specialist experience in creating food, drink and nature themed adventures gleaned from decades spent overseas and around Australia, Coast and Co’s Simon Burley curates personalised itineraries for guests at The Louise that bring together the people, places and produce that make the Barossa so special.

The full day Ultimate Barossa tour includes private tastings at some of the world’s best-known wineries including Henschke Wines where a walk through its ‘grandfather’ vineyards cultivates in a tasting of the prized Hill of Grace and lunch at Vintner’s Bar and Grill.

ELDERTON WINES
The Founders Tasting Experience leads guests on a discovery of the Barossa’s distinguished Elderton Wines, personally led by Founders Cameron and Allister Ashmead.

With vineyards established as early as 1894, the Ashmead family has owned Elderton Wines since 1979. Today, Elderton Wines is run by second generation brothers, Cameron and Allister, who work together to uphold traditions and values instilled by their parents.

This day of discovery starts with a guided walk through the century-old Command vineyard famous for its distinctive shiraz grapes, followed by a tasting of Elderton Wines including rare and elite vintage wines from the family cellar.

IZWAY WINES
In the late summer, wine grapes on the Barossa vineyards are ready for harvesting. Harvest is a busy and important time for winemakers with the year’s vintage ahead. Izway Wines winemaker Craig Isbel is known in the Barossa community for his exceptional palate and an approach to wine making which he calls ‘bucket chemistry’.

Craig’s raison d’etre is handcrafting artisanal wines from exceptional vineyards, and the day’s harvest discovery begins right here, on a personal tour of some of the valley’s hidden and highly prized vineyards. Back at the winery, harvest work continues followed by a private tasting of Izway wines and a rewarding lunch at Vintner’s Bar and Grill.

MICHAEL HALL
Michael Hall, winemaker at Michael Hall Wines in the Barossa, Eden Valley and Adelaide Hills lines up his fine vintages to compare and contrast with classics from Burgundy.

The Burgundy to Barossa tasting journey can be enjoyed privately or with a small group, where the revered bottlings from four French wine producers are tasted alongside Michael Hall’s exquisite South Australian wines. Follow Michael’s winemaking path from the grand traditions of Burgundy and the Rhone Valley to the new order of South Australia.

SEPPELTSFIELD
Historic winery Seppeltsfield is a grand Barossa estate, a must-visit for its heritage and the only winery known to release a century-old wine each year.

This half-day experience starts with a tour of the original 1851 family homestead before leading through the Elm Walkway to the barrel cellar, distillery and underground blending cellar. A private tasting of the Paramount Collection and century-old Para Vintage Tawny takes place in the trophy cellar.

For a truly memorable tasting experience, guests may taste their birth year port directly from the barrel. A walk alongside the world’s longest lineage of single vintage wines in the Centenary Cellar is a wrap.

TWO HANDS
The Two Hands Wines tasting day leads a personal journey through the Barossa’s Western Ranges, visiting five of the valley’s most exceptional vineyard sites.

The Two Hands experience begins by slipping on a pair of South Australia’s own Rossi Boots – perfect for working or walking in the vineyard – and jumping into a four-wheel drive short drive to each of five vineyard blocks.

Under the shade of a century-old gum tree at estate vineyard Holy Grail, guest taste a flight of Single Vineyard wines before returning to the cellar door to complete the vineyard experience and enjoy a lunch of seasonal produce.

BAROSSA WELLNESS
Wellness is at the heart of a stay at The Louise, where good food and wines may bookend a day dedicated to looking after mind, body and spirit; a rare moment to take time out, reinvest and reward.

The Louise’s partnership with local spa and beauty cooperative Barossa Beauty offers a personalised and customisable wellness experience at the property for individuals or small group getaways.

Options for tailored wellness sanctuaries at The Louise abound and include treatments using Barossa Wellness botanically based spa care products, and yoga, meditation and guided nature walks.

The Louise features a heated outdoor pool overlooking the vineyards and a fully equipped fitness centre with adjacent hot and cold sauna and shower for refreshing post-workout.

REGIONAL ADVENTURES
The Barossa is home to many wonderful dining, culture and nature experiences. Centrally located and with strong local connections, The Louise is an ideal hub from which to explore more. Additional charges apply.

ARTISTS & MAKERS
From The Louise, there’s a swag of wonderful galleries to be explored, from First Nations collections to the JamFactory, all within an easy drive. The works of local and international artists and sculptors, jewellery makers and milliners are on show at the JamFactory at the Seppeltsfield hub, with the option of a long lazy lunch at FINO to finish.

The Barossa Regional Gallery comprises three gallery spaces alongside the restored Hill and Son Grand Organ, the Corroborree Dream Art Gallery is home to First Nations works while the Kapunda Heritage Trail links it all together in one glorious afternoon’s drive.

BIKE RIDING
The team at The Louise can arrange e-bike or mountain bike hire for guests and make some suggestions for touring routes – and possible picnic or lunching spots – around the Barossa for a fun and relaxed day out.

There are nature trails to explore or guests can join the full day Butcher Baker Winemaker Trail for a gourmet tour of Barossa’s producers, including supplied gourmet picnic hamper – all bookable via The Louise or the Barossa Visitor Information Centre.

CASA CARBONI
Many guests at The Louise return again and again to the fun and informative Italian cooking masterclasses run by Matteo and Fiona at Casa Carboni.

Each week, Matteo offers a range of traditional Italian cooking classes using seasonal local produce, like ravioli filled with Barossa Valley Cheese Company goats curd tossed in Paris Creek butter, fresh sage and locally crafted Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

Students can learn to make pasta, gnocchi or risotto in a four-hour class with a wonderful four course lunch and wine included. Recipes are shared to take home. Stocking European wines, homewares and house-made treats, the Enoteca is open for coffee and lunches Thursday through Sunday.

FARMERS MARKET
The Barossa Farmers Markets are an institution, a long-established community hub and living grocery store with farmers personally selling their produce. Located at 740 Stockwell Road, Angaston, just a short drive from The Louise, the indoor/outdoor market operates in all weather and seasons.

Visitors, locals and chefs alike will meet a diverse range of stallholders, some regulars and some small-scale producers appearing when their artisan crop is harvested.

Marketgoers can expect to find fresh – often organically grown – fruit and vegetables, herbs, fresh meats and the Barossa’s own smallgoods, sourdough bread, cheeses, yoghurts and fresh milk, honey, olives, olive oil and even gin!

HENSCHKE
The 150-year-old Henschke family winery is steeped in history and a commitment to biodynamic farming techniques. The excusive Hill of Grace experience includes a personalised tour of the historic working winery which dates to the 1860s. Visitors tread carefully around the Hill of Grace Vineyard, observing rows of the ancient, gnarled vines.

Guests learn about the world-renowned label and gain a sense of the pride the Henschke family have in their heritage. A private tasting room is dedicated for guests to enjoy distinguished Henschke wines, including The Wheelwright, Cyril Henschke, Mount Edelstone, Hill of Roses and Hill of Grace.

VASSE VIRGIN
With Barossa olive oil as base, Vasse Virgin produces natural skin care and runs workshops for guests to make their own lip balm and perfume. A visit to Vasse Virgin opens a world of discovery into the therapeutic benefits – both culinary and beauty – of premium Barossa olive oil.

Guests can observe the production team as crates skin care products using traditional hand-crafted techniques, or purchase from the gourmet olive oil food range created onsite. Better still guests can join a hands-on workshop to create their own signature perfume or lip balm, or join the Extra Virgin Olive Oil 101 Masterclass.

YALUMBA
Yalumba’s The Signature Tour is a journey into the history, the people and provenance of one of Australia’s most recognised wines, taken from its home in the Barossa.

This journey of discovery begins at the historic Yalumba Wine Room with a personally guided account of the story of Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, before guests are taken to the Signature Vineyard at Lights Pass for a tasting amongst the vines.

Back at Yalumba, guests enjoy a private tasting of future, current and museum release Signature wines, before joining a tour through the Hill-Smith family’s private museum cellar. The tour wraps with a two-course lunch at Vintner’s Luck.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
A stay in the Barossa uncorks a variety of other activities that can be worked into a rewarding and memorable stay with The Louise as luxurious base, coming complete with a personal booking concierge.

BUSHWALKING
Barossa Bushwalks is a handy, downloadable map that sets out the range of easy and more challenging hikes across the broader Barossa and neighbouring hamlets, as well as bike friendly and wheelchair accessible trails and pet friendly trails for taking along a four legged friend on a lead.

GIN TASTING
The spirit of the Barossa! Just up the road from The Louise, the Seppeltsfield Road Distillers have created a great range of small batch spirits, flavoured with local botanicals. The distillery is a must-visit for gin lovers, with tastings and grazing platters available for a light bite. This gin is available at Contour bar and kitchen.

HOT AIR BALLOONING
Hot air balloons are often seen gracefully gliding over the vineyards in the early morning light in the Barossa, making an unforgettable start to the day. The scenic flight takes in spectacular views over the Barossa Ranges that stretch across the landscape to capture glimpses of the sparkling ocean in the distance. Sparkling wine optional (or essential!).

VINTAGE CAR TOURS 
Barossa Unique Tours can put guests in the driver’s seat for an unforgettable tour of the Barossa in a classic 1966 Mustang convertible, luxurious modern Jaguar XF or a fun and eye-catching motorcycle trike. Options for private tours including gourmet lunch are perfect for a special occasion.

COOKING CLASSES
Famous for its owner Maggie Beer, The Farm Eatery comprises a restaurant that showcases fresh local produce and a shop that features Maggie Beer’s extensive range of gourmet treats. An Experiences Centre is set up especially for cooking classes, run by Chef Tim Bourke, formerly chef at sister South Australian property Southern Ocean Lodge.

SAMPLE ITINERARIES
An ever-growing swag of adventures and activities for visitors to the Barossa ensures there are plenty of reasons to linger longer, or plan to return for more.

A three-night stay at The Louise can be as diverse and jam-packed or as leisurely as desired. Days spent enjoying fine food and premium wine are blended with nature walks, or visits to farmers markets and local galleries.

Website: www.thelouise.com.au

Rooms: 15

Price: from 697 EUR per night