“I love food, I love wine, I love AFL; The Barossa really has it all”, says Andy Allen, wine glass in hand as he gazes over Whistler Wines’ stunning vineyards.
High praise indeed from the MasterChef Australia judge (and former winner), chef and co-owner of Three Blue Ducks and co-founder of travla beer. But after two days exploring the Barossa region with Andy for Gather Round, I would be inclined to agree.
One of Australia’s most iconic wine regions, the Barossa Valley recently played host to the AFL’s Gather Round for the first time. Thanks in part to Toyota’s role as an AFL partner, and as a new Friend of Toyota, Andy hit the road with me in the Toyota bZ4X to explore the best the region has to offer, while soaking up the AFL action.
And of course, he’s shared his top Barossa Valley recommendations with Urban List. Read on for your ultimate Eat, Play, Stay guide to the Barossa Valley with Andy Allen.
Image Credit: Andy Allen | Supplied
How To Get To To The Barossa Valley
Image Credit: Toyota | Supplied
Getting to the Barossa Valley from Adelaide is a breeze—around an hour’s drive north of the CBD and road tripping country doesn’t get much prettier than the Barossa. Andy makes the trip in the all-electric Toyota bZ4X, which ticks all the road trip boxes: smooth to drive, zero emissions, and plenty of space for market haul and wine bottles alike.
If you’d rather leave the keys behind, there are also plenty of wine tours that run daily from Adelaide, and a train-bus combination via Gawler for those keen to go car-free. Whether you're taking a scenic road trip or public transport, the Barossa is closer and more accessible than you might think.
Where To Eat And Drink
Whistler Wines
Image Credit: Whistler Wines | South Australian Tourism Commission
A visit to Whistler Wines feels like stumbling upon one of the Barossa’s best-kept secrets—laidback, welcoming, and understated. Set among gum trees with kangaroos hopping by, the family-owned cellar door blends signature Barossa charm with a modern energy. Owners Sam and Kelsey Pfeiffer come from four generations of grape growers, and their passion for organic, handcrafted wine shines through in every glass.
The wines are sustainably made and seriously drinkable, from their easygoing grenache to the crisp rosé that became a fast favourite. Andy summed it up perfectly: “It’s so relaxed. It’s really beautiful—you hear the birds, you just look out onto the big vineyards with kangaroos, it’s so relaxing.” He added, “It feels like we’re sitting in someone’s backyard,” and honestly, that’s exactly the vibe. It’s the kind of place where you could lose track of time, glass in hand, stretched out on the lawn in the dappled sunlight.
Casa Carboni
Image Credit: Casa Carboni | Renée Ardon-Coppinger
For a slice of Northern Italy in the heart of the Barossa, Casa Carboni in Angaston is a must. Part enoteca, part cooking school, this family-run spot is where food, wine, and old-school hospitality come together. It’s a favourite of Andy’s, who described it as “a beautiful little Italian joint” that captures the essence of home-style cooking. “You can imagine you’re in Tuscany or something like that in the vineyards,” he said, “but it’s just the Barossa version of that.”
Run by Fiona and chef Matteo Carboni—who hails from Parma in Northern Italy—it’s the kind of place where you instantly feel like a regular, even on your first visit. The chef’s tasting menu changes with the seasons (and the local produce), and sings with simplicity and soul—think handmade pasta, slow-cooked sauces, and meats treated with Italian reverence. Andy appreciated how they hero local ingredients, which are sourced from the Barossa Farmers Market and nearby farm gates: “Obviously they use a lot of produce from around the region, which I’m a huge fan of.” And if you’re more hands-on, Matteo also runs cooking classes showcasing Barossa produce and the skills and techniques of Italian cooking.
staġuni
Image Credit: staġuni | Instagram
Tucked inside a charming old school hall in Marananga, staġuni is a standout dining experience in the Barossa, blending Maltese heritage with local flavour. Helmed by Clare Falzon—“a bit of a legend down here,” as Andy puts it—staġuni champions Barossa producers, with a seasonal menu that feels both personal and place-driven.
“She’s a local hero,” Andy said. “And it’s got character, it’s in an old school hall, and she’s cooking this incredible Maltese food using produce from all around the area.” It's a warm, homely spot where the region’s generosity and Clare’s Maltese roots come together beautifully. Current favourites on the menu include the honey and harissa roasted eggplant with hazelnut and the fig frozen yogurt with walnut and lemon thyme. staġuni is Barossa dining distilled to its essence; unpretentious, deliberate, and executed with quiet confidence.
Kiin
Image Credit: Kiin | Instagram
If you’re after one standout dining experience in Adelaide CBD, make it Kiin. Thai for ‘eat’, Kiin reimagines traditional Thai flavours with contemporary twists. From the moment we walked in, the vibe was effortlessly cool—think sleek, minimalist design with an open kitchen so you can watch the chefs at work. Kiin is the brainchild of chef David Wickwar (Spirit House, Longtime, sAme sAme) and front-of-house Ben Bertei (Cafe Di Stasio, Scusa Mi!), who together boast an impressive 50+ years of hospitality experience. So yes, they know what they’re doing.
Standouts on the modern Asian menu include the red curry cheeseburger, burrata with green ‘nahm jim’ and roti, sweetcorn and charred bamboo laab with toasted sesame and the silky coconut panna cotta with lemon curd, Biscoff and ginger. The flavours are vibrant, punchy and perfectly balanced. The drinks list isn’t playing second fiddle either. I’d suggest asking the team for a pairing, but I can vouch for the Sgroppino: coconut gin, mango, lemon sorbet and Prosecco. It’s like summer in a glass. Kiin nails that rare balance of equal parts welcoming and polished; a real gem in Adelaide’s dining scene.
Where To Play
Barossa Markets
Image Credit: Barossa Farmers Market | Supplied
If you do one thing in the Barossa that doesn’t involve wine (I know, big ask), make it the Barossa Farmers Market. Every Saturday morning, this shed just outside Angaston comes alive with local producers, bakers, and makers serving everything from buttery croissants and handcrafted chocolate to housemade pickles and gin. For Andy, it struck a chord instantly: “I got the warm and fuzzies about that place. It was everything you would want and hope for a farmers market to be.” It’s charming, wholesome, and the kind of place that makes you want to pack up city life.
Andy commented on the energy inside, where the local makers were buzzing with passion. “It was really heartwarming—they’re all doing such epic stuff and they all support each other.” One of his highlights? The Mehl Sourdough crumpet stand where the vendor wasn’t just selling breakfast, she was building an itinerary: “She was waxing lyrical about the different flavours of crumpets, then sent me off to get a venison pie and some gyoza made with local pork—it was so, so sweet,” he laughed.
But beyond the food, it’s the ties to the region that really stayed with him. “I feel like there’s such a connection between the area and the produce here in the Barossa,” he reflected. “It’s a lot more than just cooking a bowl of food. It’s the deep relationship you can only get from having a chat with the farmer and using their produce in a dish.”
It’s the kind of place that doesn’t just showcase the region’s best—it embodies the spirit of the Barossa as a weekly ritual, with locals and visitors alike lingering far longer than planned. “I was blown away. I could have spent hours there,” Andy said.
Gather Round
Experiencing an AFL game at Barossa Valley Stadium during Gather Round felt like something truly special; think grassroots footy vibes with big stadium energy. It was the first time Barossa had played host to Gather Round, and Andy said you could tell just how much it meant to the locals. “Going regional, coming down to the Barossa, that was another level,” he said. “You could see a lot of locals being really proud that the AFL was in town.”
For Andy, a longtime Collingwood fan (I know, I know), this is exactly where Gather Round shines. He says if you really want to experience it properly, you’ve got to “get out of the city and into the regions”. And the Barossa is the perfect fit with everyone making a weekend of it: wine tastings before bounce, long lunches after the siren, and breakfast in a vineyard the next day.
With Toyota backing the AFL as a long-time partner, the move to regional Gather Round games feels like a natural evolution—bringing the action to communities that live and breathe footy. Fans filled the streets wearing “every scarf there is possible to wear,” and the vibe wasn’t about rivalry—it felt more like a shared celebration. As Andy put it, “It’s not like a rivalry, it’s more feeling that you’re here for a little bit of a festival.” And honestly, it was. While Gather Round only happens annually, you can check out the 2026 details here.
Where To Stay
Le Mas Barossa
Image Credit: Le Mas Barossa | Booking.com
You know one of those rare stays—the kind that lingers in your mind long after you check out? Le Mas Barossa is exactly that.
Nestled in the Barossa’s rolling hills, this petite slice of Provence blends French charm with Australian soul. Housed in a beautifully restored farmhouse with elements dating back to 1857, it’s now a certified Small Luxury Hotel with just four adults-only rooms and the scale reflects the level of French hospitality you can expect from owner Geraldine and her tight-knit team. The rooms are a masterclass in understated French elegance, blending soft linens, curated French furnishings, and that effortless service that makes you feel instantly at ease.
French host Marine can help curate a bespoke Barossa experience, but honestly, I wouldn’t blame you if you spent your time floating between the outdoor heated mineral pool, the chic Napoleon Library, or sipping your way through the cellar wine collection. Le Mas even has its own onsite vineyard—with some of the oldest Grenache vines in the world—and I swear, you can taste the difference.
Be sure to experience a dinner at the onsite restaurant, where Chef Ryan Edwards serves up personalised French feasts. I’m still dreaming of the twice-cooked roquefort soufflé. While dinner might seem like the main event, don’t underestimate breakfast—the French-inspired spread is next-level, with touches like housemade rose jam made from the rose bushes outside my room, and the croissants are the best I’ve had outside Paris. Le Mas Barossa is intimate luxury at its best; you’ll leave feeling rested, spoiled, and just a little bit smug that you found it.
Sofitel Adelaide
Image Credit: Sofitel Adelaide | Booking.com
It doesn’t get much more central than Sofitel Adelaide; throw in a hit of French sophistication and you’ve got one of the city’s best luxury stays. Conveniently located just 15 minutes from Adelaide Airport, this is my go-to pick for a night (or two) in the city before heading to the Barossa—it’s only about a 50-minute drive from here.
The rooms are spacious, stylish, and dressed in that classic Sofitel style: think marble bathrooms, floating bathtubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows you’ll want to sit by with a glass of Barossa red in hand. It’s modern, but with enough old-world glamour to remind you that you're staying somewhere special.
Beyond the rooms, Sofitel Adelaide really leans into its French roots—expect elegant touches everywhere, from the grand lobby to the art-lined hallways. On Level 9, onsite restaurant Garçon Bleu is worth a reservation in its own right. The signature restaurant serves elevated French fare and the wine list at Garçon Bleu Wine Bar is as expected: très magnifique.
Perfect for a stopover en route to wine country, Sofitel brings a slice of Parisian elegance to Adelaide. Bonus points for the heated indoor pool—very necessary after a flight or a long day of exploring.
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Editor's note: This article is sponsored by Toyota and is proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Main image credit: Le Mas Barossa | South Australian Tourism Commission