Eden Valley
Introduction
The high country of Eden Valley is one of Australia’s premier cool climate wine regions, characterized by its rugged beauty and varied topography, with vineyards scattered across rolling hills, sharing the terrain with grazing land, rocky outcrops and ancient gums. Eden Valley is the Barossa’s Garden of Eden.
Defined by the cool climate, ancient soils and later ripening, Eden Valley wines are distinctive in their character, displaying wonderful aromatics, elegance, complexity and finesse. Most famous for its Riesling, Eden Valley also produces world class Shiraz and a range of traditional and alternative varieties. This is cool climate Barossa.
With a wine making history dating back to 1847, Eden Valley is home to some of the world’s oldest Shiraz and Riesling vineyards. Traditional grape growing continues with a focus on sustainability and authenticity, with fifth and sixth generations of the original settlers continuing to apply their craft.
The influence of altitude
Eden Valley’s elevated topography and resulting cooler climate influences the wine quality in a number of ways. The ripening period is often 3 to 4 weeks later than the Barossa Valley, and with the final stages of ripening occurring in cooler conditions, varietal flavours and structure are delicate and elegant. Harvesting in these cooler conditions ensures the grapes are at their very best prior to crushing.
Eden Valley’s defining characteristics
Beautiful: The wines, the vineyards, the captivating landscape, the picturesque scenery, the preserved natural environment, the old homesteads and churches, the character of the people.
Cool: The elevated cooler climate of Eden Valley is what defines the region and the wines as a unique part of the Barossa.
Elegant: Characteristic of the wines; balanced, inviting and captivating, expressing their sense of place with purity and style. Charming and delightful surroundings.
Unspoilt: Not exploited or overdeveloped, with vineyards, grazing land and natural bush in balance with the environment.
Hidden Gem: Off the tourist track, a place of beauty waiting to be discovered – Barossa’s Garden of Eden.
Authentic: No fancy frills, real people, down to earth, hard work, tradition of generations, plenty of passion, the culture and heritage of the region.
Sustainable: Traditional grape growing, dry grown to minimal irrigation, caring for and protecting the environment, increasing move to sustainability, organics & bio-dynamics.
Finesse: In the wines, delicate and elegant, pure and structured, balanced and focussed. In the people, the pursuit of perfection in applying their craft.
Artisan: Single vineyards, craft, passion, the enchanting cottage industry feel of the grape growing and wine production. Big in Eden Valley is small everywhere else.
Eden Valley Statistics
Located east of the Barossa Valley, Eden Valley forms part of the Barossa Ranges, with an altitude range of 400 to 600 metres, in comparison to the Barossa Valley at 250 to 350 metres. The area is not a valley as such, but a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, rocky outcrops, river valleys and big red gums. Its topography is such that it consists of many macro-climates, and is ideal for smaller single vineyards that can capitalise on the special terroir. Eden Valley is a part of the Barossa Zone Geographical Index (G.I.)
Map Coordinates
34° 35’ S
Altitude
380-629m (1247-2063 feet)
Heat degree days, Oct-Apr
1390
Growing season rainfall, Oct-Apr
280 mm (11 inches)
Mean January temperature
19.4°C (67°F)
Relative humidity, Oct-Apr,
Average 44%
Harvest
Mid Mar-End Apr/Early May
Source: Barossa Vintages
Highlights of Eden Valley
Adjacent to the Barossa Valley, the Eden Valley is not saturated with tourist “things to do”, and that is one of the regions endearing factors.
Eden Valley is a region of mixed farming, natural bushland and small country towns. The vineyards are scattered across rolling hills, sharing the terrain with grazing land, rocky outcrops and ancient gums. Eden Valley offers much to the visitor in an “off the tourist track” manner.
To see and do in and around Eden Valley
Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park
Nestled amongst the Barossa Ranges, this rugged park is perfect for keen bushwalkers. There are two walking trails passing through a variety of landscapes including creeks, rocky outcrops, areas of low forest, scrub and open grassland. The park has panoramic views over the Eden Valley and Barossa Valley to the distant Gulf St Vincent. Both trails identify native plants and points of interest, as well as offering the chance to observe kangaroos and a host of birds in their natural setting.
Evenings and early mornings are the best time to observe the park’s wildlife. Kangaroos feed on the open grasslands, reptiles are seen in the warmer months, while the occasional Echidna or possum may be seen foraging for food at dusk. Tanunda Creek Road (off Mengler Hill Road)
Eden Valley Lookout
The Eden Valley Scenic Lookout offers superb views from Keyneton across to High Eden. It is easy to see why the region was known as “the garden of grapes and gums.” Head out of Eden Valley on the Angaston Road and you will see the cross on the hill to the east. Turn right onto Burkes Hill Road. Soak up the views, enjoy a picnic, and on Easter Sunday join the community for the Easter dawn service.
Steingarten Vineyard
Visit one of Australia’s most famous Riesling vineyards, Steingarten – Garden of Stones, planted at a lofty altitude on the western gateway to the Eden Valley region. The track running in-front of the vineyard is the border between the Eden and Barossa Valley. Offering delightful views – to the north-east, of Kaiserstuhl and part of Mt Crawford Forest, and to the north-west, of the Barossa Valley and beyond. A perfect place to enjoy a crisp Riesling sun downer, a picnic, or simply soak up the stunning views.
Remember to leave the gates as you find them, as sheep graze in the paddock.
Trial Hill Road from Roland Flat, or from Eden Valley via Brownes Rd.
Barossa Farmers Market
The Barossa Farmers Market is located in Vintners Sheds, behind Vintners Bar and Grill, corner of Nuriootpa and Stockwell roads. Open every Saturday from 7.30 to 11.30, the market is the place to go for local gourmet produce, fresh fruit, vegies and local meats, and much more, in comfort come rain, hail or shine.
The market breakfast has become a tradition; real eggs, and real bacon, served on a toasty fresh roll, with amazing sauces and chutneys to top it off. Grab a latté, pull up a bench, and forget about the dishes!
Herbig Family Tree
This hollow tree trunk provided a ‘home’ for Friedrich and Caroline Herbig and two of their 16 children until 1860 at Springton.
Johann Friedrich Herbig (27) arrived in South Australia on the Wilhelmine from Bremen on 3 October 1855. While looking for employment he went to the Adelaide Hills where he worked for George Fife Angas. He later leased a block of land of eighty acres from Angas at Black Springs, later called Springton. Being still rather poor Friedrich lived in the base of this very large gum tree which was located on his own land, thus saving rent or the cost of having to build a hut or house.
Friedrich and Caroline married in 1858 and Caroline moved into the tree house in which Friedrich had been living for nearly three years. A year later the first of their sixteen children, Johann August, was born in the tree. After the birth of their second son in 1860 the tree house became too small and a hut was built to accommodate the growing family. Main Road, Springton.
Collingrove Homestead
Conceived as a little piece of England and commenced in 1856, Collingrove was the Angas family home and headquarters for their considerable pastoral interests. This family made significant contributions to the growth and development of South Australia from its earliest days through political involvement, pastoral endeavor and philanthropic gesture. Collingrove was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1976 by Ronald Angas.
Also dining, accommodation and functions.
Enquiries Marcia and Andrew Frost. (08) 8564 2061
Beautiful Drives
Grab yourself a copy of the Barossa Touring Map, and venture onto the back roads of the Eden Valley Region.
The terrain is beautiful, ranging from steep and stunning to gentle and gorgeous. While not endowed with Cellar Doors, there are enough to ensure you can taste your way through Barossa’s Beautiful High Country.
(Download The Touring Guide from http://www.barossa.com/contact/downloads.aspx)
See below for some recommended drives-
A quick visit: Take the main road out of Angaston, passing Collingrove and on through the heart of the Flaxman Valley area. Just before the township of Eden Valley, head to the lookout to enjoy panoramic views over the town and landscape. Venture down into the township of Eden Valley, the regions namesake.
Heading back toward Angaston, take the Flaxmans Valley road turnoff and head east. You will arrive at a T junction looking out over the Heggies Vineyard. Turn right and then take the next left onto Tanunda Creek Road, winding your way past the Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park. You will come to Menglers Hill Road; left taking you down the hill toward Tanunda; right will wind its way back into Angaston.
45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on stops.
A bit of exploration: From either Angaston or the Barossa Valley floor, make your way up Menglers Hill Road, taking the Tanunda Creek Road past Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park. Turning right onto Flaxmans Valley Road, head straight on to the dirt road past Heggies Vineyard and onto Brownes Rd. Follow the road around its 90 degree turns and wind your way through this beautiful country past Pewsey Vale Vineyards. Veer right onto Lillicrapp Rd and through to Corryton Park Road. Turning left onto High Eden Road takes you past Mountadam. This is a beautiful drive through the “high country” and the sub region of High Eden. Fantastic views abound.
Heading east into the “valley”, turn right onto Craneford Road, the left onto Basil Roeslers Rd and left again onto Matthews Rd into the Eden Valley township. From hear take the main road out of Eden Valley toward Angaston and turn right onto Burkes Hill Rd to the Eden Valley lookout.
Heading back onto Burkes Rd, you can either turn left and head back to the main Road and on to Angaston, or right on to Hearles Rd. Turn right and follow Hearles Rd to the main Eden Valley to Keyneton Road. Left takes you toward Keyneton, and through remarkably different terrain to the “high country” – due to lower rainfalls and thinner soils.
Reaching Keyneton, turn left for another picturesque drive back to Angaston.
1.5 hours to 3 hours depending on stops.
Where to stay
From overnight stays, to weekend getaways, to family holidays, there are a range of accommodation options in the Eden Valley region, and the adjoining Barossa Valley. The Eden Valley region is predominantly Bed and Breakfast orientated, with apartments, motels, hotels and a host of B&B’s throughout the Barossa Valley.
If you are not planning to stay in the Eden Valley region itself, but wish to be as close as possible, accommodation in and around Angaston is a great option.
See links for accommodation options and bookings.
http://www.barossa.com/accommodation/default.aspx
http://www.bookbarossa.com.au/
http://www.southaustralia.com/accommodation.aspx
Where to eat in and near Eden Valley
From a quick bite to a gourmet spread, we recommend the following establishments-
Eden Valley Resources
