Chateau Yaldara - Lyndoch - Things To Do Reviews

Driving highway B19, 50 km north of Adelaide, I arrived in the village of Lyndoch, located in one of Australians most famous wine regions, the Barossa. Of the more than 50 wineries around the valley's main settlements Nuriootpa, Tanunda and Lyndoch, I was attracted by a big wooden wine-press aside the road next to a drive leading -according to a big sign- to Chateau Yaldara, "open 7 days a week". This estate is situated on the banks of the North Para river.

The complex is entered by a semi circular gateway and exists of a few buildings with a french look. However, Yaldara was established in 1947 by a German winemaker, Hermann Thumm (he sold the place in 1999 to the company McGuigan Wines).
A smaller building with beautiful cellar doors gives entrance to a hall with big wine-butts and the reception/shop where you can taste a selection of the 30 available wines.

After nipping some of the better Australian wines I joined a tour of the winery. It turned out a must see tour of elegance and fine art in the chateau, the eyecatching main building. The ground level houses a big room full of splendor, which could easily be the pride of a French castle. A door leads down to the wine cellars. This is a labyrinth of corridors, formed by walls of wine bottles. The professional tour guide leaded the way and gave a good explanation (with a fat Aussie accent) of history and present.

The complex also offers a café, a cheese room and a larder.
I think Chateau Yaldara is a nice change to have a wonderfull afternoon, if you're traveling through the south of Australia. But remember: don't taste too much if you still have to drive. Better buy some bottles of these great wines. Cheers!