Whether you're after some perfect, seasonal fruit and vegetables, delectable cheeses or mouth-watering poultry, pork or lamb, the Barossa offers a wide range of eateries that serve local food made with passion - many offering fabulous views of the vineyards to boot.
So why not take some time to sit back, Barossa wine in hand, and sample some of the area's best eating spots. Here's our guide:
1918 BISTRO AND GRILL, TANUNDA
In a cottage in the middle of downtown Tanunda, this popular restaurant serves modern Australian fare. It is a gourmet meat eater's paradise but there are vegetarian options as well.
The owners say they are passionate about serving fresh, seasonally-inspired cuisine, accompanied by the right wines.
I had the Paringa Farm lamb rump, with kipfler potatoes, eggplant relish and tahini remoulade. It was the most tender lamb I've ever tasted and the combination of flavours and vegetables complemented the dish perfectly.
The restaurant is also famous for the delightful sounding appetiser roasted pork belly, poached prawn, apple and fennel salad with honey and caraway glaze.
www.1918.com.au
JACOB'S CREEK VISITORS CENTRE, ROWLAND FLAT
This is not just a home to one of Australia's most popular wine brands, but also a great place to have lunch - at Jacob's Restaurant, which has won a South Australian Tourism Award in 2008, 2011 and 2012.
The building was purpose-built to offer an excellent view of the vines, while the inside layout is all open plan and high ceilings.
The food is modern Australian with some Asian influences.
There is also a children's menu.
As appetisers, we had the potato, rosemary and garlic with parmesan cheese pizza, which went well with a Cool Harvest pinot grigio - Jacob's Creek of course.
For the main I had the crispy skin, free-range chicken breast with mushrooms, spinach and thyme butter, which was a nice light dish on a hot day.
I paired it with the winery's Reserve Adelaide Hills chardonnay, which is a drop I'll be wanting more of in the future.
www.jacobscreek.com.au
HENTLEY FARM WINES, SEPPELTSFIELD
In a beautiful stone farm building at the end of a short dirt road, this restaurant is the perfect place for a leisurely laid back lunch.
It's also my favourite Barossa eatery.
Two set menu options are offered, inspired by produce that is abundant, fresh and of good quality.
We took the eight-course Discovery menu option, which pairs carefully chosen wine with every course.
A chef delivers each dish to your table with an explanation of why it was chosen - and offers wine to compliment.
One course was duck, which I'm not usually a fan of, but I enjoyed it immensely. We were also served a beautiful snapper.
For those who don't have time for a long lunch there is the shorter, four-dish "du jour" option.
The restaurant opts for set menus that change a few times a year with the seasons.
www.hentleyfarm.com.au
LYNDOCH LAVENDER FARM CAFE, LYNDOCH
Yes it's a farm but there is also a good cafe with a great view on the side of a hill. There are also tours of the lavender farm.
And there is a wide choice of dishes and drinks - aside from the lavender ice cream, lavender scones, lavender biscuits and lavender tea.
But don't get me wrong, the lavender ice cream was delicious; the lavender tea was nice as well.
There is also a shop offering a range of lavender products such as soaps, lotions, oils and aftershaves.
www.lyndochlavenderfarm.com.au
MAGGIE BEER'S FARM SHOP, NURIOOTPA
The picnic fare menu has a range of baskets that include terrines and pates with pastries and breads. Each basket option suggests an accompanying wine.
We had a variety of breads with pates such as porcini mushroom and verjuice vegetable pate and duck, sherry and green peppercorn pate.
The food author, broadcaster and restaurateur's shop and cafe has picnic tables outside that overlook a small dam packed with tortoises, which fascinate the younger kids.
Afterwards, you're free to walk around the vineyards to work off the lunch, where you may even come across a peacock or two.
After the walk it's tempting to go back into the shop and grab a swag of goodies to take with you.
www.maggiebeer.com.au
IF YOU GO
Getting There:
There are direct flights to Adelaide from all capital cities, and car hire is available at the airport. Tanunda is in the heart of the Barossa Valley, just over an hour's drive from Adelaide.
The World Detours Down Under website offers a range of things to do while in the Barossa away from the cycling: www.tourdownunder.com.au/world-detours-down-under.htm
Staying There:
The writer stayed at the Weintal Hotel/Motel in Tanunda, which offers large rooms with all the usual facilities including a pool, spa, restaurant and tavern bar. Room rates start from $160.
* The writer travelled as a guest of South Australia Tourism Commission.
