Soon to be moving to Adelaide, UK expats Ruth, Gwill and Richard, all true wine appreciators wanted a very special Barossa tour, taking in some of the small boutique wineries, along with some of the large brands they know of from back home, and then experience the historical side of the region.

Of course, Europe’s history is much richer than the 1840s settled Barossa, but they were greatly impressed  by the stately buildings of Yalumba and Seppeltsfield, along with being able to see some of the oldest commercial vines in the world.  

The favourite wines tasted on the day were at the snmaller wineries of Henschke, Kaesler, Rockford and Kabminye, but Yalumba also impressed, as did the fortifieds of Seppeltsfield.

Adelaide Minibus had specially arranged a behind-the-scenes tour of a local vigneron’s premium vineyard and the trio enjoyed a tasting of 2011 Grenache, one of their favouritre varieties, straight from the barrel. “We will be back. The tour was amazing and we were surprised at the different styles and classiness of the wines available here”

Lauren left the Adelaide minibus tour co-ordinator to make the bookings for the wineries to visit and lunch at the Mclaren Hotel Bistro.

Little did they know their tour leader was a Barossa vigneron, and with his knowledge of vines, the industry and wines, could offer a wine experience they could only dream of. Their day even included a private tasting of a soon to be launched rose wine, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Visits were made to the scenic Maxwells, Serafino, Wirra Wirra, Pertaringa and Australian Boutique Wines. They even managed to squeeze in a visit to Robern Menz Chocolates, just across the road from the lunch bistro. 

Adelaide Minibus supplied a cheese platter and crackers, along with chilled spring water. Lauren said this was a fabulous treat, and commended the management of AMB for introducing this option. She said they had a fantastic day and look forward to doing the Barossa when she comes to Adelaide again in a couple of months. “In fact I just love it in South Australia, and could see myself moving here – the lifestyle is unbelievable”

Artists from around the world will be performing from the 8th to 23rd June, a diverse bunch of charismatic raconteurs, entrancing musicians and Broadway chanteuses. Some past favourites return with their latest offerings too.

See the event’s website for a brochure and program or click here

Make your group’s night at the festival even more enjoyable by not driving. Contact Adelaide Minibus to book a bus or minibus 82520627

Experience Sunday

Your $20 ticket (contact  wineries direct for these – see participating venues – click here Sea and Vines Festival ) gets you into three grouped winery events for the day. 

Glass is not permitted at any of the Experience Sunday events. Licenced buses are not encouraged and some wineries may not permit.

No bookings or ticket required for Experience Monday events

On Monday 11th June visitors can simply turn up on the day, purchase a festival glass at one of the participating venues and wander between as many wineries as you choose, but you will still need to make arrangements with them if you are taking a bus group.

See the event website legend for wineries that will or will not accept buses. You need to make those bookings and arrangements direct with the wineries. Again, licenced buses are not encouraged at the festival.

Its by far the highest demand weekend on our bus calendar, so dont miss out. Please book your transport early for our 12 seat minibuses through to 46 and 50 seat coaches.

It seems Sat. April 28th is a certainty….She has been entered in the Sportingbet (sic) Robert Sangster Stakes. Now trainer Peter Moody has now confirmed she will also contest the Goodwood Handicap on May 12th before heading off to the UK.

 This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

We are already receiving many enquiries about group transport for the big day. Dont drink and drive. Instead, make this one of the most entertaining and memorable days in sporting history for your group …by firstly, getting there and back safely.

So you have a group of 10-12 friends or family and you would like to go to the Clare Gourmet Weekend.

Click here for brochure

You don’t want to be part of the boozey mob on the shuttle buses trying to do too much in a day. You want to just visit three places with something special happening and have a wonderful, relaxed lunch. And you want outstanding ‘wow factor’ value for your group. Then check this out…..

 Saturday 19th May (2 only 12 seater minibuses available – tickets and lunches have been pre-booked by Vins/Adelaide Minibus) $185 per person

7.00am sharp: Pickup at one location (or two locations if nearby city or north of city) Travel on the new northern expressway to Gawler

8.00am: Bacon & egg BBQ breakfast, tea, coffee - Clonlea Park - Gawler (your driver is also our chef).

9.00am: On road to Clare via Roseworthy and Auburn.

10.15am: Master Class Tasting by the Clare Valley Winemakers at the brick pavillion, Clare Showgrounds. A number of regional wines showcased, a run-down of the 2012 vintage and all of your winemaking questions answered. Your festival glass for the day taken from there. The published cost of this is $40pp on Clare Gourmet website

12pm to 3pm: Wile away the afternoon with a 3 course five star gourmet lunch at Reillys Wines of Mintaro, hosted by winemaker Justin Ardill. See  http://clarevalley.biz/major_events/clare_gourmet_weekend/ The published cost of this long lunch is $75 on Clare Gourment website

3.15pm: Tasting at Claymore Wines - Leasingham.  

4pm: Return to Adelaide.  Enjoy on the way a gourmet dips platter with chilled spring water.

Drop-off at maximuim 2 locations city area and north of city.

THIS IS A VERY LIMITED PACKAGE, DEFINITELY CLOSING FOR BOOKINGS FRIDAY, 11th MAY 4pm

Sorry, available for full bus groups only, but talk to us if you have a lesser group and we may be able to combine.

For both days budget prices are avail if you want to be the host and organise your own day for your group and we just supply the vehicle and driver. Be sure to allow 2 hours travel time each way. Several vehicles available for charter, 12 to 50 seats.

Sunday 20th May: Contact us if you have a group to go, and we will organise the day for you, using your suggested wineries.  See the Clare Gourmet website for participating wineries. For those that want us to make the arrangements, for lunch on the Sunday we have set up a fantastic three course gourmet meal with tappas, choice of mains and sweets at the Artisans Table Wine Bar and Bistro in Clare at 12.30pm, finishing at 2.30pm. Gourmet menu negotiated especially for Adelaide Minibus down to $40pp. Click here for the menu. THE ARTISANS TABLE menu Clare Gourmet 2012 We would need to leave city area by 8am, and plan to arrive back at city area by 6pm. Ask us for a quote once you have your numbers.

ENJOY.

This region really does know how to welcome visitors and how to have a good time. See this link for this years program and participating wineries http://clarevalley.biz/common/javascript/tiny_mce/plugins/filemanager/files/CLARE_GOURMET_WEEKEND_2012.pdf

Vins Buses and Coaches,  and Adelaide Minibus will be making available (for charter only) a number of vehicles and drivers for great one day tours of the Clare region (or the two days if you wish and have accommodation) during the festivities.

Make transport a non-issue for your group, and enjoy a day out with great wines and food without having to worry about a designated driver or drink-drive laws.

 If you dont have a full minibus group number (ideally 10-12 people) let us know and its possible we can bring your group together with another smaller group to make it a really economical outing. Sorry, no coach service for individual ticket sales, being run this year.

“Just wanted to say thank you very much for the service Vins provided on the 10th of March 2012 for our 45 person group cruise - City to Coriole (McLaren Vale) via Mt Lofty and Blewett Springs, and return.

We found that during the arranging and negotiating stage before the weekend, all the staff at Vins have been helpful and professional.

On the day, it was important for us that our guests were transported on time and of course safely.
We were very pleased with the effortless manner in which our guests were bused from multiple locations on Saturday.

We would surely send our business to Vins Buses again in the future”

Dr Luke and Katie Miliauskas

The team at Adelaide Minibus are right at the leading edge of what customers expect. We now have chiller units in a number of our vehicles used for wine tours, hens days etc. This has enabled us to offer on-board chilled water and a gourmet snack.

 Check this…. for just $3.50 per person we can now pack for you a fabulous gourmet cheese platter, or a range of range of dips and crackers…both with chilled spring water to keep your group refreshed between stopovers. 

Make sure you order in advance!

STOP PRESS!! For the months of May, June and July, this cheese platter and spring water pack is FREE of charge for groups using our 13, 21 and 24 seaters

 Over Easter (April 6th-9th) is the Oakbank Racing carnival, which includes the Great Eastern Steeplechase.

Bus companies almost always book out over Easter, so dont leave it until the last minute! Lower rates for prepaid bookings apply up until March 19th. Enquire now.