Lyndoch in the beautiful Barossa Valley
At the southern extremity of the Barossa Valley lies Lyndoch. The original Lutheran settlement at Lyndoch as established at Hoffnungsthal, where migrants from Posen settled in 1847. The Aborigines in the area warned the settlers that Hoffnungsthal became virtually a lagoon in winter, but the settlers did not immediately heed their advice. They were forced to leave after the area was badly flooded in 1854. The historic area has been commemorated by a plaque, which records the names of the Hoffnungsthal pioneers. The remains of the village include the foundations of the church, remnants of the early roadway, 2 wells, fragments of the cemetery, an underground morgue, 2 threshing floors and scattered building stones. Many of the Hoffnungsthal settlers moved to Lyndoch, Gomersal and elsewhere in the Barossa.
Lyndoch was the first place sighted by Europeans in the Barossa Valley. Soon after the arrival of colonists in South Australia in July, 1836 expeditions were sent out to explore the hinterland. By December 1837 explorers, led by Colonel Light, had reached Lyndoch. On 13 December 1837 Light recorded 'At length about 5 p.m. we came to a beautiful valley which I named Lynedoch Vale after my much esteemed friend, Lord Lynedoch.'
By 1839 Colonel Light, the Surveyor General of South Australia, was selling off large tracts of land in the valley. Edward Rowland took up land in the early 1840s at what was soon named Rowland Flat. The valley was named by Colonel Light after Barrosa (Hill of Roses) in Spain where he had fought against the French in 1811 in the Peninsula War. The spelling mistake was never corrected.
Lyndoch and the Lyndoch area can reasonably lay claim to being the first place in the Barossa Valley where grapes were grown. By 1847 a Mr Gilbert had planted an acre of grapes at Pewsey Vale. Similarly Johann Gramp planted grapes at Jacob's Creek and by 1850 he had produced his first wine.
Located only 58 km from Adelaide, Lyndoch is still a small country town with a population of 1140 residents, situated in the heart of the Barossa Valley and is surrounded by a large number of both major and boutique wineries.
Things to see:Chateau Yaldara Estate
Located on the Barossa Valley Highway near Lyndoch, Chateau Yaldara was established in 1947 by the German winemaker, Hermann Thumm. It has grown into a huge complex which includes a motel, conference facilities, a chateau built in a baroque German style, a restaurant and a bistro. It specialises in red and white table wines, sparkling wine and port derived from cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, riesling, semillon, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, crouchen, Grenache and chardonnay grapes. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact 1800 088 300.
Keis Estate Cellars
Located on the Barossa Valley Way on the way to Gawler, it is a typical small family winery with cellar door sales. The stone building dates from the 1880s. It also boasts The Wheatsheaf Restaurant which serves wines with high class food. It specialises in red and white table wines, sparkling wine and fortified wines derived from muscadelle, chenin blanc, ondenc, traminer, pedro, cabernet franc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, riesling, semillon, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay grapes. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8524 4110.
Burge Family Winemakers
Located on Barossa Highway this family winery was established in 1928. It specialises in premium red and white table wines and ports derived from cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, riesling, semillon, Grenache, Touriga, Frontignac, Merlot, cabernet franc and mourvedre. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8524 4644.
Twin Valley Estate
Located in the Hoffnungstahl Valley (in German this means the Valley of Hope - a suitable name for a place where people fleeing from religious persecution were to live) about halfway between Lyndoch and Williamstown (take the Hoffnungstahl Road) this winery was established in 1969 and specialises in both red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and chardonnay grapes. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8524 4636
Wineries - Rowland Flat
Orlando Wines
On Barossa Valley Hwy at Rowland Flat, this famous winery is one of the oldest in the Barossa Valley having been started when Johann Gramp planted grapes at Jacob's Creek and by 1850 he had produced his first wine. It specialises in premium red and white table wines and sparkling wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, riesling, semillon, Merlot, cabernet franc and chardonnay. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8521 3140.
Barossa Settlers
Located on Trial Hill Road this boutique winery was established in 1983. The shiraz grapes were planted in 1887 and the owners can date their origins back to the valley's first settlers. It specialises in premium red and white table wines, sparkling wines and ports derived from cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, riesling, semillon, Grenache, Mataro and chardonnay. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8524 4017.
Jenke Vineyards
Located on Barossa Highway this family winery was established in 1989 although the vineyards date from 1926 and the Jenke family have been in the valley since the 1850s. It specialises in premium regional varietals derived from cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, riesling, semillon, Grenache, Merlot and cabernet franc. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8524 4154.
Miranda Wines
Located on Barossa Highway this winery was established in 1919. It specialises in red and white table wines, fortified and sparkling wines derived from chardonnay, cabernet, shiraz, Grenache and Merlot. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8524 4537.
Liebich Wein
Located on Steingarten Road, Rowland Flat this family winery was established in 1992. It specialises in red and white table wines and fortified wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, chardonnay, Merlot and pinot noir. It is open on weekends and by appointment for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8524 4543.
Lyndoch Hotel
A prominent two-storey building at the centre of town. It dates from 1869 when it was known as the Lord Lynedoch Hotel and is an important part of the town's streetscape.
The Lord Lyndoch
A fantastic steakhouse opposite the Lagana Bros IGA
The Lyndoch Bakery
Old German style and easily the best bakery in the Barossa
Novatel Barossa
Resort accomodation just down the road at Rowland Flat
Lyndoch Motors
Mitsubishi Dealer, the best brand in town
Barossa CP
Nice & quiet little CP
Barossa Reservoir and Whispering Wall
The Whispering Wall is located about 7 km south-east of Lyndoch off Yettie Road and is an acoustic miracle. It is the huge curved retaining wall of the Barossa Reservoir and is about 140 metres long. The acoustics are such that you can speak in a normal voice and people at the other end of the wall can hear you clearly.
Mt Crawford Forest
Camping
Barossa Helicopters
Fantastic flights over the Barossa Valley and surrounding areas
B & B's
Loads of them
Lyndoch Lavender Farm & Cafe
http://www.lyndochlavenderfarm.com.au/
Map of Lyndoch http://lyndoch.com/images/lyndoch_map_no_copyright.pdf
