Day 3 - The Barossa Continues

Continuing our Day Tour of the Barossa.

Next Our Group enjoyed more Wine Tasting at the small Family owned Rusden Winery.

DH, and I wandered around the grounds admiring the many Rustic Sculptures 

and having a Long Chat with 

'The Guardian of the Gate'

We learned all about Why Roses are planted beside Grape Vines 

Originally it was to stop the Horses cutting corners. Later it was found that Roses show signs of the Phylloxera pest that devastated the Vine industry in the late 19th Century well before infestation can occur in the vines. 

So it is a 'Canary in the Mine' scenario.

We continued our Trip Via 

The Barossa Chocolate Factory

To Cheese Tasting

And a Pub Lunch in Angaston. 

Moving On - Our next stop was Chateau Dorrien. 

This time I was interested in joining some of the Group trying not their Wines but their Mead

.. and actually brought home a couple of very nice samples!

Last stop for the day was a BIG Fan (Bucket List) moment!

I don't think there would be anyone in Australia that doesn't know and adore Maggie Beer. 

And an indulgence Stop (for our driver who wanted Coffee) at her Pheasant Farm property was an unexpected extra delight.

There were Photo Ops in her Kitchen where she filmed 

"The Cook and the Chef" series

And lots of goodies to tempt us - Some even made their way home via Aust. Post!

And of course how could we not have Coffee and beautiful Passionfruit Curd Tarts at this awesome venue.

Before heading back to Adelaide via the Date Palm lined roadways out of the Barossa.

Today I learned a Lot of Things.  I learned

Why they plant Roses with Grape Vines

Why there are Date Palms planted everywhere

Why I can't drink Wine - but can drink Mead

That some Cheese is nice

and Some Desserts are not

That People are Generous and Don't Judge

And most Importantly I learned to 

Not be afraid of Going on a Tour "Just because I Don't Drink"