Words by Imogen Hindson

Regional Development Australia (Gawler Barossa Light Adelaide Plains) are adopting the ‘Totally Locally’ campaign, originally developed by UK resident and frequent Barossa visitor, Chris Sands. ‘Totally Locally’ is a free-for-all template guide for small businesses and locals alike in the BGLAP region for the purposes of community connection.

Promoting values of checking in with neighbours, discovering local business, and loving where you live, the campaign is centred around helping you and your neighbours thrive. We’ve discovered that spending small amounts at your local producer, retailer, baker – on a regular basis makes a significant difference not only to the business itself, but overall quality of life for the wider community.

The BGLAP region is known for its innovation – particularly its wine and agricultural industries – so it’s no surprise to see Barossa local businesses adapting to the current COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of adversity, with cellar doors and restaurants closing to the public, these resident-driven businesses have come up with some interesting adaptations to ensure their products are still reaching your front door. From BAROSSA EATS to curb-pickups and hand deliveries, we’ve listed some innovative solutions that your local community have developed and resources to find what stores are still open for business.

Barossa Eats

The brain child of Sam Lawrence, BAROSSA EATS, is bringing Barossa takeaway to your front door through one app. The general premise? To provide locals with take-away menus from all of your favourite restaurants, providing a safe option for pickup or delivery. We had a chat with Sam about the upcoming launch.

There’s no doubt that locality and community is at the heart of this initiative. “We need to do all we can to support local business and make life easy for our community during this uncertain time… [this app] provides a platform for local businesses to share and market their menus with a very broad audience…”

The app also has a very practical purpose in dealing with community health by minimising contact as much as possible.

The BAROSSA EATS team is excited to get the app up and running to support local businesses. “We would love to see some of our favourite eateries who have closed, come back due to the reach, demand and functionality of the app… For us, that is something to get excited about.”

Public feedback seems to be replicating this excitement, with over 220 people downloading the app last Friday alone. By leaping into the digital age while supporting local business, with locality as the central philosophy – this innovative and customised approach which keeps dollars in the local community We are confident we’ll be seeing the app live on beyond this challenging time”, Sam emphasised.

Keep up to date with the progress and launch date of BAROSSA Eats through their Facebook and Instagram social media pages: @barossaeats. If you’re a local vendor wanting to get involved, feel free to get in touch through the social media handles above.

Farmers Markets

The famous Barossa Farmers markets, although closed for physical trade, are still going strong. Numerous stallholders are still offering pick-up and delivery services throughout the wider region. With fresh bagels, organic produce, olive oil and dukkha, sourdough, and an array of fresh cut meats available, you can still enjoy the farm to fork eating lifestyle you’ve come to enjoy by contacting some of the following distributors here

 

Barossa Valley Cheese

If you’re looking for a bit more of a deluxe option with your food choices, fear not – Barossa Valley Cheese is here to help your day. This small business, well renowned for their hand-made artisan cheese in Tanunda, is open for business with a restriction of 7 people in the store at any time. However, there are an array of products available for curb-side pickup and delivery throughout the wider region. With pre-prepared cheese platters for your sunny Saturday afternoon and hampers prepared for your special someone in isolation, supporting local business has never tasted so good.

 

To organise delivery or curb-side pickup, contact the store. All contact details can be found on their website

 

For a full list of restaurant opening hours and delivery options, visit Support Local. Love Barossa here

With recent announcements regarding the closure of Cellar Doors throughout the region, wineries are coming up with innovative ways to get wine delivered to you. In a time where cellar doors and tourism are stunted, neighbourly support is fundamental to the success of the people running and working in these wineries. Here’s how you can help.

 

Whistler Wines

 

Whistler Wines encapsulates the core of what it means to be part of the BGLAP community – a four-generation strong, family run winery – focusing on sustainable practices to make high quality wine.

Sam Pfeiffer, general manager of the family run winery, said the best way to support wineries during this time is to “buy direct from cellar doors on their platform”, although buying from bottle shops works too. Whistler has an array of wines available online, from iconic the Barossa Shiraz to a hearty Grenache.

This down to earth, organic winery has a strong philosophy at the core of their business: community and good wine.  When asked about how branded merchandise could help their business right now, Sam earnestly stated that “at a time like this, wine is our number one priority… it’s easier to get pulled in different directions.” From our perspective, supporting a family-run business with a moral compass seems like a good way to spend this isolation period.

This long-term family run business have established a myriad of ways for their wine to reach you – buying online and delivered to your door, or hand deliveries in the Barossa. To get in contact, check out their online website here. And a personal tip from us – try the GSM. It’s a ripper.

 

Artisans of Barossa

Established in 2005, the Artisans of Barossa is a group of seven local wineries who have collaborated through their love of winemaking. With a passion for wine and all it entails at the centre of their purpose, they have created an experience centred around wine and culinary excellence.

The seven wineries include Hobbs of Barossa Ranges, Sons of Eden, Purple Hand Wines, Lienert Vineyards, John Duval Wines, Schwarz Wine Co., and Spinifex. Together they gather at Vino Lokal – a nod to the heritage of European pioneers in the region – for a cohesive wine and food experience.

Almost every wine on the Vino Lokal wine list is available on their website. Revenues go directly back to the local of winemakers and their joint venture, supporting local business in the best way.

You can order online, and become a Friend of Artisans here for new release information and discount freight services.

For a full list of current  winery opening hours and delivery options, visit Support Local. Love Barossa page on barossa.com here

For a full list of retail opening hours and delivery options, visit Support Local. Love Barossa here on barossa.com here