Our Artisan in the House - April reveal

Vintage season is here and it’s in full swing! If you’re heading to the Barossa in the next few weeks, just a heads up that there is a bit of extra traffic around.

With all the harvesters and tractors on the roads, it’s important to be extra careful when driving. It might take you a few extra minutes to get where you’re going, but safety is super important to us here at Artisans of Barossa.

After Easter, here's the plan for April:

15 April

Spinifex is the collaboration between Peter Schell and Magali Gely, who have residents of the Barossa Valley for over twenty years. Spinifex Wines has a strong French influence due to Magali’s family lineage and upbringing in Southern France. Their grapes are sourced from a group of dedicated growers in Barossa and Eden Valley, which gives the label flexibility regarding what they can produce. You will see varietals not often explored in the Barossa – including the Southern French varietal, Tannat and the Southern Italian varietal, Aglianico. Alongside these grapes, you will find old vine Barossa Valley Mataro, Cinsault, Grenache and Shiraz.

22 April

Schwarz Wine Co. is the creation of Jason Schwarz, who first purchased a small parcel of Shiraz from his family's Nitschke Block Vineyard in the 2001 vintage, followed by Grenache from the Thiele Road Vineyard in 2002. The last couple of times Jason joined us, he brought stunning wines from his museum collection, and we're expecting something similar for this week as well.

29 April

The last Saturday of April brings the wines of Craig Stansborough and Mark Slade into focus, Purple Hands. Winemaker Craig Stansborough and mate, business partner, and anointed ‘sales guy’ Mark Slade is the Purple Hands team.

They share a love of Barossa, a hands-on approach to making wine, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity and are always seeking to explore new varietals, blends and something a little different from what could be called the traditional Barossa style. James Halliday noted this when he discovered Purple Hands back in 2011 and said “Both the Shiraz and Grenache have a common theme of elegance, and a voice distinctly different to that of mainstream Barossa.”

Here’s how it works: 

Each Saturday, we have one of our Artisans in our Wine Room and Essen, our contemporary, innovative interpretation of seasonal Barossa food.

Make a reservation in Essen, and we will have a particular flight of the Artisan’s wine matched to one of our dishes. One of our Artisans will talk you through the wines and the food match 1:1 with you. 

or

Make a reservation in our Wine Room lounge for a Rarities tasting, and we’ll have new releases, museum or large format wines available. One of our Artisans will join you for part of your tasting, talk you through how we preserve small-batch winemaking in the Barossa, and guide you through the wines. 

It’s an experience never to be repeated, and one of the unique features of our collaborative concept - is the ability to connect with and discuss the wines with the people that make them.  

Our home is where we share everything we love about Barossa with you.

An opportunity for you to relax and enjoy over 100 wines from eight small-batch winemakers in our Wine Room or at Essen, our benchmark Barossa dining space.

The Artisans of Barossa are John Duval Wines, Spinifex Wines, Sons of Eden, Lienert Vineyards, Schwarz Wine Co., Purple Hands Wines, Hobbs of Barossa Ranges and Chaffey Bros. Wine Co.

Eight small winemakers brought together by a shared commitment to protect and promote the art of small-batch Barossa winemaking.