Life on a plate!: Itineraries & House Guests, Jacob's Creek Visitor's Center

We're expecting a number of guests in the coming months, so I've been looking back to all the places we've visited this last year and picking out the places I'd like to re-visit with our guests. One of my picks is the Jacob's Creek Visitor's Center in the Barossa.

Our first time to visit this award winning cellar door was in August last year when my best friend Tanya was in town for a visit. It was a surprise to see the very modern building in the famed Jacob's Creek Vineyard. Although all the vines were bare, the views were still beautiful and is a must see for any tourist going around the area. We decided to stay for lunch and I must say, we had a very good meal after the drive into town.

Jacob's restaurant is located inside the Visitor's Center. It was awarded in 2008 & 2007 the South Australian Tourism Award for Tourism Restaurant & Catering Services and for Best Tourism Winery according to www.barossa.com website. They are open 7 days for lunch, and the menu comprises of contemporary Australian cuisine with wine pairing suggestions to help you along.

We started of with a trio of scallops - roast potato with saffron vinaigrette, almond and sesame crust with white bean puree, and our favourite - pea puree with garlic butter and pancetta. Tanya had chicken for her main, Mart went with his usual beef fillet but the dish for me that stood out was my duck salad. The flavours were great, the meat was tender and it went perfectly with my glass of Pinot Noir.

If you have limited time in the area, the Jacob's Creek Visitor's Center gives a very complete Barossa experience in one place.

'Til the next post!

Sharlyn