Barossa Valley: 4 Winery Tastings, Gourmet Lunch & Pickup

Summary

Wine, donuts, chocolate and stories in the heart of barossa valley

You’ll taste your way through four Barossa Valley wineries with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Expect gourmet lunch among vineyards, donuts worth queuing for in Tanunda, and artisan chocolate before heading back to Adelaide—all with pickup included. It’s not just about wine; it’s how Barossa feels when you’re part of it for a day.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I signed up for this Barossa Valley wine tour mostly because I’d heard about the legendary Shiraz. But the day turned out to be so much more than just swirling reds in fancy glasses. Our guide—Peter, who seemed to know every winemaker by name—picked us up right from our spot in Adelaide (which was honestly such a relief after my last “find your own way” tour mishap). The drive out felt like shedding layers of city stress; by the time we rolled up to Château Yaldara with its old sandstone walls and that river glinting nearby, I was already in a different headspace. You could smell damp earth and something sweet from the gardens. Peter told us about Hermann Thumm’s story—how he built all this after WWII—which made that first sip of Cabernet feel heavier somehow. In a good way.

Tanunda was next—a town that looks like it belongs on a postcard but feels lived-in. There’s this donut shop, Browns Barossa Donuts, where the line is half locals catching up over coffee and half people like me trying to pick between Biscoff cheesecake or Nutella (I went Biscoff, no regrets). The smell inside is unreal—like caramel and fresh dough fighting for attention. We wandered down the street with our treats and coffee from Darling’s Food With Passion Café (the barista winked when I tried to pronounce “macchiato” with an Aussie accent). It was slow, easy—people waving from shop doors or just nodding as you passed. I liked that pace.

Back on the bus, Peter let us choose between Langmeil or Hemera Estate for our second tasting—both old family-run places with their own quirks. At Langmeil, I ran my hand along these rough stone walls outside the cellar door while listening to stories about vines planted in 1843. The wine was bold but not showy; someone said “it tastes like history,” which sounds cheesy but… yeah, I get it now. Lunch came at Kies Family Wines—a table set right by the vines, plates full of things grown nearby (I’m still thinking about that tomato salad), each bite paired with something new to try in our glasses. The staff actually sat with us for a bit and explained why they do things differently here—not rushed or rehearsed.

Later there was chocolate at Barossa Chocolate Company (try the dark one with sea salt if you go), then one last stop at Chateau Dorrien or Ubertas Wines depending on timing. By then everyone had loosened up; there were jokes about who’d end up buying the most bottles (not me… okay maybe me). The sun started dipping behind rows of vines as we sipped port outside—someone’s laugh echoing across the yard—and it felt like we’d been let in on something special here. Hard to explain exactly why, but I left wanting to come back—not just for another day trip from Adelaide but maybe longer next time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Barossa Valley wine tastings and lunch

• Start at Château Yaldara winery
• Explore Château Yaldara grounds
• Stop at Browns Barossa Donuts
• Enjoy coffee at Darling’s Café
• Walk through Tanunda town highlights
• Visit Langmeil Winery or Hemera Estate
• Have gourmet lunch with wine pairing at Kies Family Wines
• Pass by Jacob’s Creek winery
• Taste artisan chocolates at Barossa Chocolate Company
• Optional additional stop if time permits
• Final wine tasting at Chateau Dorrien or Ubertas Wines
• Return and drop off in Adelaide

Top questions

How many wineries are included in this Barossa Valley tour?

The tour includes tastings at four different wineries in the Barossa Valley.

Is hotel pickup included from Adelaide?

Yes, free pickup and drop-off are included within 10 km of Adelaide CBD.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes, a gourmet lunch paired with wine is included at Kies Family Wines.

Are food stops like donuts or chocolate included in the price?

The donut and chocolate stops are optional and purchases are at your own cost.

How long does it take to reach Barossa Valley from Adelaide?

The drive from Adelaide to Barossa Valley typically takes around an hour by bus.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is guided in English.

Can infants join this day trip from Adelaide?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Are there options if some wineries are unavailable?

If venues are fully booked, similar quality wineries will be substituted to ensure a good experience.

What’s included

Your day includes doorstep pickup and drop-off within central Adelaide, four guided wine tastings at historic Barossa Valley wineries, a gourmet lunch paired with local wines at Kies Family Wines, bottled water throughout the trip—and plenty of time for relaxed walks through Tanunda town plus optional stops for artisan donuts and chocolates before returning home in comfort.