Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop is an institution.
When I think Barossa, I think big, bold shiraz, metwurst and Maggie.
A visit to the Farm Shop will be a highlight of any visit to the Valley.
Off the main drag between Tanunda and Nuriootpa, and past the pheasant farm, is Maggie’s Farm Shop.
Entrance to the Farm Shop. Photo: Willunga Wino
There never fails to be a welcome from the staff – no matter how busy they are – when you enter the shop. Grab a pretty basket – you’ll need it! Every single product Maggie produces is on tasting (except the ice cream!) so it takes quite a while to work your way around.
My perennial favourites include the Sangiovese Verjuice, Mushroom Pate, Greenwheat Freekeh and Simon Bryant’s Dirty Lentils.
First, we taste! Photo: Willunga Wino
The Olive pasta sauce tastes like summertime, tangy and briny as well as rich and sweet.
Sugo for pasta under an olive tree. Photo: Willunga Wino
There are lots of innovative flavours too, like Preserved Lemon and Currant Chutney.
Don’t fret if you go shopping overboard. Smiling staff will wrap your perishable purchases in ice for free, which means you can take the divine mushroom pate and dark chocolate and bitter orange ice cream home with you – if you can hold out that long!
Time your visit right, and you could also see the daily cooking demonstration in the famous “Maggie’s Kitchen” from the long running ABC Show starring Maggie Beer and Simon Bryant, The Cook and The Chef.
Choice chutney. Photo: Willunga Wino
All this shopping works up an appetite! Luckily, the Farm Shop offer individual picnic baskets in a variety of flavours based on the pate. There is also lovely seasonal soup ($9.50).
Just see if you can get through placing your order without grabbing one (or more) of the $2 brownies.
Time for lunch! Photo: Willunga Wino
Seating is dotted inside the Farm Shop as well on the covered and uncovered deck which overlooks the dam.
Its a marvelous spot to take a spot of local Scullery Made tea ($3.80).
Tea for me. Photo: Willunga Wino
The picnic baskets are very cute.
Each features one of Maggie’s Pate’s, freshly baked bread, a condiment, and a cracked green wheat Freekeh salad ($16).
Perfect picnic baskets. Photo: Willunga Wino
Preserved lemon, olive oil, and mint freekeh salad is nutty and delicious, the perfect match for the rich pate.
Cracked green wheat salad – love. Photo: Willunga Wino
The first thing you notice about the dam is the iridescent blue colour, from the minerals in the water.
Second, it’s the turtles. They are very cute, active and not at all shy.
Little friends in the dam. Photo: Willunga Wino
It’s easy to be entertained by the turtles while you enjoy your picnic.
Hello my friend! Photo: Willunga Wino
There is yet more to discover. Outside two short walking trails are available.
The first loops around the pheasant enclosures. If you are lucky, you might see one of the resident peacocks.
On show. Photo: Willunga Wino
If you are really lucky, they might put on a show for you!
Lucky moment. Photo: Willunga Wino
A wide variety of game birds are on show, many with unusual plumage.
Pleasant pheasant. Photo: Willunga Wino
Many parade their bright plumage proudly.
Another fine specimin. Photo: Willunga Wino
Not to be outdone are the wild birds which frequent the beautiful trees, like this king parrot.
Native visitors. Photo: Willunga Wino
On the second walk, you are taken around the dam and then through the various fruit orchards.
Maggie is famous for her quince paste, and it’s no wonder with these enormous beauties!
Huge quince. Photo: Willunga Wino
There is even a farewell committee!
Maggie’s farewell committee. Photo: Willunga Wino
It’s little wonder that for me, no trip to the Barossa is complete without a trip to the Maggie Beer Farm Shop.
I am out of verjuice…and Dark Chocolate and Bitter Orange ice cream….Start the car!
Rating : 5 Glasses
Price: $
Menu: Picnic baskets and the full range of Maggie’s products.
Meal Size: From snacks to full meal size Picnic baskets make a yummy light lunch.
Atmosphere / Ambiance: Outdoorsy, popular, welcoming, relaxed.
Standout Dish: Picnic baskets.
Service: Friendly, chatty and acommodating.
Online Booking: No bookings.
Restaurant Details and Location:
http://www.maggiebeer.com.au/visit-us
50 Pheasant Farm Rd (via Samuel Rd)
Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, SA 5355
Tel No: 08 8562 4477
Opening Hours: Daily 10.30am-5pm.
Access: large onsite carpark.
Oh My God!! I would be in heaven at her shop. Her stuff is amazing! Thanks for this post….now I am hungry :). xo