Travel Story: Langhorne Creek, South Australia
Amidst all our crazy Laos preparations, I took a side trip for another wine travel story for Selector Magazine. Can't say no to those.
Very early one frosty morning last weekend, I flew to Adelaide. It was in fact so frosty - -4 degrees at 6am - that our flight was grounded until the sun rose and warmed things up.
It occurred to me at that point that a) I could have stayed in bed a whole extra hour instead getting up at a ridiculous 4am; and b) if a frost in May grounds a plane, what's the plan when it's actually winter?
Whatevs. We arrived into Adelaide an hour late and it was warm and sunny. Lovely.
I had hired a car which turned out to be a revved up beast with leather interior and one of those small racing car steering wheels - cool extras that were entirely wasted on me. I managed to reverse into a wheelie bin as I was parking near The Parade at Norwood. A nice man came over and unhinged the bin from the back car door where it has somehow got wedged; I was essentially dragging it back and forth during my 10-point reverse park. The man turned out to be a driving instructor (what are the odds?) and gave me some parking advice. Adelaidians are so friendly.
One of my secret indulgences I like to partake in when I am sans infants is a leisurely brunch. Risque, I know. It reminds me of a different life years ago when I took such outings for granted. Which is why I was in Norwood, the only place I could recall off the top of my head for a likely weekend brunch spot.
I was not disappointed. Spotting a line of locals waiting outside Argo on the Parade, I immediately joined the throng. This is the advantage of dining alone - I skipped the queue and was seated straight away at a small outdoor table. Friendly staff raced around and I grabbed a menu - a very long one. I ordered my stock standard brunch option - a big veggie breakfast (with a side of bacon) and a pot of green tea.
Delicious! Those lettuce leaves are actually 'kale chips'. Hmmm...
Post-brekkie, far too full but enjoying the sunshine, I rolled off to visit friends in the Hills area of Stirling. It was full of people ambling around Sunday markets, and then further afield, of houses (aka mansions) that made my jaw drop.
There were also koalas! Which are so much more exciting than mansions.
Just snoring by my friends' driveway - imagine that!
The next day, bright and early, I set off for the main game - Langhorne Creek. This little known wine region is actually the third largest grape producing region in South Australia. The car rental lady (who was maybe about 25) had never heard of it, funnily enough.
There are only seven cellar doors in Langhorne Creek and you'll be pleased to hear that I visited them all. Here are some highlights...
Bremerton winery's 19th century cellar door
Bleasdale cellar door, another history-filled monument to the early days of Australian wine
Gorgeous view from the lovely Lakebreeze cellar door
Langhorne Creek - it really is that green!
Off the beaten track maybe but it really shouldn't be. Langhorne Creek is certainly worth a visit the next time you're in Adelaide - less than an hour's drive south. Or you can just read all about it in the Spring issue of Selector Mag. Either way, enjoy.
About the author: Lilani Goonesena is an Australian freelance writer, Squarespace web designer and blogger currently living in Vientiane, Laos. She is passionate about helping freelancers and small businesses get online with web design and content, blogging and her awesome weekly newsletter on digital marketing, social media, content, SEO, web design and "all that online stuff". She also writes food and travel articles for businesses and magazines, and blogs at the delectable Eat Drink Laos, just for fun.