Jacob’s Creek is one of the biggest names in Australian wine, and its home in the Barossa is a very big estate at Rowland Flat, on the main road between Lyndoch and Tanunda. Our verdict: it’s alright. It’s a huge place that you can drive all the way around, which is the best way to see it, but it doesn’t have the charm of the small cellar doors. We came by in the early evening on our way to camp, after the cellar door had closed for the day.
What we like
- Huge estate to drive around
- The old stone cottage
- Cafe and restaurant on site
What we don’t
- Big and less personal
- Closes at 4.30 pm
About Jacob’s CreekAbout
The story goes back to 1847, when Johann Gramp, a Bavarian settler, planted the Barossa’s first commercial vineyard on the banks of the creek. Today the estate has a visitor centre with tastings, a cafe and the Harvest Kitchen restaurant, a demonstration vineyard, walking and cycling paths along the creek, and an old stone cottage from the early days.
Quick facts
- Address2129 Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat SA 5352, AustraliaSee on the trip map →
- FacilitiesVisitor CentreCafeRestaurantParkingWalking Trails
- Good to knowOpen daily 10–4.30Huge estate to drive aroundBook tastings
- FeesFree to visittastings booked
- 8.3/10Overall rated
Getting There
Jacob’s Creek is right on Barossa Valley Way at Rowland Flat, between Lyndoch and Tanunda, and a big sign at the turn-off lists the tastings, experiences, cafe and restaurant. You drive in over the creek past a stone wall with the Jacob’s Creek name on it, and the sealed and gravel drives loop right around the estate. The visitor centre is open every day from 10 am to 4.30 pm, so come earlier than we did if you want a tasting.
Driving Around the Estate
The estate is big enough that driving around it is the way to see it. The drive loops past barrels under a big gum, rows of vines, the long stone winery building and the old stone cottage, which has a long verandah and a vintage car parked under it. In the early evening, after closing time, the estate was quiet.
Things to Do NearbyThings to do
For a smaller, more personal tasting, Rockford Wines is a few minutes up the road towards Tanunda, and Langmeil Winery is just past the town. We camped that night at God’s Hill Wines near Lyndoch, a few minutes south. Everything else is in our Barossa Valley guide.
Summary
Jacob’s Creek is alright: a huge estate you can drive all the way around, with the vines, the long stone winery and the old cottage, and a cellar door, cafe and restaurant during the day. It’s worth a look on the way between Lyndoch and Tanunda, but for a tasting, the small cellar doors like Rockford and Langmeil are the better stops.
Alright, and very big.
Jacob’s Creek is a huge estate at Rowland Flat that you can drive all the way around, past the vines, the long stone winery and the old cottage, with a cellar door, cafe and restaurant for when it’s open.
- Travellers
As a quick drive-through, yes. It’s on the main road between Lyndoch and Tanunda and free to drive around, but the smaller cellar doors are the better tasting stops.
Recommended Gear for a Barossa Day
A good camping fridge keeps a bottle or two cold for the drive to camp, and a camp table and a couple of camping chairs turn a roadside stop among the vines into lunch. Carry plenty of drinking water in good water containers too, as the Barossa gets hot in summer.
