The Cook & The Chef - Maggie & Simon

I loved watching the ABC's cooking program The Cook and The Chef.  I've even got it on dvd.  So when we went to the Barossa for the weekend I had to visit Maggie Beer's Farm Shop.

At the end of the shop is a veranda with seats that overlooks the dam, and if you stick your head around there you will find ...

The kitchen set where they filmed The Cook and the Chef.  I can't believe I'm standing in the kitchen!!!!

My husband thinks he's a chef!

The portrait of Maggie & Simon on the wall.

Oh what fun.  The next day, we headed over to  Artisian's of Barossa Cellar Door, where Simon Bryant was cooking for Gourmet weekend..

We had some wine and lunch while we were there.

and guess what?  I met Simon.

He is just so lovely.  He chatted to us for a while.  So friendly and genuine.  If you like Simon as much as I do, check out his website here. 

Now Maggie, if you're out there, all my daughter asked me to bring home from the Barossa was your autograph, but she is very smitten with Simon's photo!

The Barossa - Gourmet Weekend

As you may know, we went to the Barossa Valley Gourmet weekend recently and I wanted to share some photos of our trip.

We started with a glass of Barossa wine at Bibu in Tanunda.

 Then armed with a map of the Barossa, we headed for the wineries.

Rockford would have to be one of my favourites.

Look at this beautiful cottage where they do the wine tasting.

and boy to they have some good wines.

Then it was off to Peter Lehmann.  There is a small creek and beautiful green lawn out the front where they host A Day on The Green.

We did a tour of the historic Seppletsfield Vineyard.  These are barrels of 100 year old port.

Of course we had to see Penfolds, the home of Grange.

and Elderton is just across the road, so why not?

We even did one of the big ones.

We had a degustation delight at Hentley Farm.  Something like 7 dishes with matching wines.

The Barossa is also home to Angus Park, famous for it's dried fruits.

and my husband had some delicious Maggie Beer ice-cream.

The Barossa was truly an amazing experience, and I strongly encourage you to go see and experience it for yourself.  Remember ....

so if you find yourself in the Barossa and want to taste a premium red wine but don't quite have $100 to shell out (who does?), then try the Seize the Day Shiraz or Cabernet  for around $30.  In my humble opinion, it's one of the best Barossa red's I've had.  (If you live in Brisbane, you might be able to get it at the Breakfast Creek Hotel).

Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage - Barossa Valley

We have just returned from the most relaxing and romantic weekend away in the Barossa Valley.  Normally I make all the arrangements and bookings, but this time Mr Stylish did, and boy did he get it right!!!!

We stayed at the delightful historic Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage owned by Peter and Sharyn.  The cottage is set amongst the vineyards of their 25 acre property in the heart of the Barossa.

The cottage dates back to the 1850's and was completely derelict before Peter & Sharyn restored it.  There are photo albums in the cottage showing the work they did.

This is the living area with an open fire all set up and ready to go.

I sat on this cosy sofa and read all the gourmet magazines that Sharyn has provided in the cottage. 

A king size antique style bed with beautiful Sheridan bed linen (no tacky floral bedspreads here - my pet hate)

This antique claw foot bath was found half buried in the garden and used as a fishpond.  It now takes pride of place in the bathroom.

Complete with fluffy white towels and bath oils.

The indoor kitchen is a simple armoire that hides a bar fridge and is stocked with local provisions.

The outdoor kitchen was custom made and has everything you could possibly need.

If you are eating al fresco style, this is your view of the vineyards.

Sharyn & Peter provide a complimentary bottle of their Seize the Day rose, which went down way too easily - delicious.

You will have a serious case of wine envy when you see Peter's cellar in the basement of the cottage.  It's wine heaven.

This is a view of the back of the cottage.  In summer, you would definitely want to drag those sun lounges out onto the lawn.

Although we went in August (winter) the garden was still beautiful with plenty of bulbs flowering.

There are 3 alpacas, some geese and chooks on the property along with some rabbits.  Sharyn uses the alpaca wool to knit some beautiful creations, including a lovely cushion cover she showed me.

There is a veggie patch near the back of the cottage with a 'help yourself' sign.

I helped myself to one of these each morning.  Sharyn knew I was dairy free and had especially bought almond milk for me.  My husband got to drink real non-homogenised milk from the local dairy in a glass bottle with the cream on top.

There's an old chaise on the front veranda to soak up the sun.

and when you have dirty dishes, you place them in this meat safe and the 'fairy' (aka Sharyn) cleans them for you.

I could write pages and pages on this beautiful cottage, but I don't want to tell you everything and leave you no surprises.  If you are looking for a romantic weekend away in the Barossa then this is the perfect place to stay.

You can visit the Seppeltsfield Cottage web site here.  If you go there, say hi to Sharyn & Peter for us.