Wedding belles ….a memorable day in Barossa
It’s Shelley’s wedding next weekend, so sister Hayley organised a ‘chick’s day out with their friends and family. After checking the website of Adelaide Minibus and seeing the vast array of tours available, she chose the Barossa. It would be a late start because some of the girls are nurses, and had only a few hours of sleep after their night shifts. Most of the group boarded at the Highway Inn and a stopover was made at Woodside (yes the long way round) to pick up Shelley and Hayley. Bridesmaid Christina had baked some fruit muffins….yum! Even one for the driver.
Visits to St. Hallets Wines, Rockfords, Kabminye Wines and Te-Aro at Williamstown were made. Some of the girls hadn’t much to eat before leaving and it was a warm day, so they were glad they had arranged with Adelaide Minibus to have some chilled water on board and a cheese platter with crackers, to enjoy between stops.
The wonderful people at Te-Aro agreed to stay open late (specially requested by Adelaide Minibus) so they could enjoy a full tasting session before heading home.
All the best for the wedding Shelley!
Wine region experience – Exclusive tour of Barossa
On the management team of Adelaide Minibus (a member of the Vin’s group) is Wayne, who also runs a family vineyard at Greenock -in his ‘spare’ time. Wayne knows the Barossa, it’s wineries, wines and behind the scenes aspects of the industry. In the super comfortable, airconditioned Toyota Commuter, which can take up to 10 people comfortably and with some room for wine purchased, his guests are always in for a treat. Let him take you on a true wine experience to some of the lesser known wineries where he can arrange very special private tastings. You will get to see the oldest commercial vines in the world, learn about grapevines and the intricacies of viticulture.
The tour includes a visit to his own vineyard where he grows Shiraz, Zinfandel and Grenache on the side of an ironstone laden crest at Greenock, which at its top, offers fabulous views over the Barossa. He is an industry innovator too, with his Grenache vines grown spirally in a corkscrew shape -the way of the ancient Romans.
Wayne tendering his Corkscrew Grenache vines
Vintage permitting, visitors get to have a barrel tasting of of his wine. You can let his know-how shine through by going with his suggested itinerary, or you can nominate some of the cellar doors you want to visit….he tries to include at least 6 in a day with a light gourmet lunch, which can include a fabulous Barossa smallgoods platter, coffee and cake at specially selected venues where they understand the need for premium quality and fast service for tourists. His special days in the Barossa include an on-board snack…a cheese platter, chilled water and chocolates. See Wine Tours section of our website for more info and prices.
Carers have spirits lifted by day trip to Victor
Adelaide Minibus is a member of the Vin’s Bus and Coach group. For information about larger bus and coach services, see www.vins.net.au
On 7th February, Vin’s Buses and Coaches were requested by Uniting Care Wesley Bowden to take a group of carers on a day trip to Victor Harbor. They all care for family members with mental health challenges, which are often very exhausting and time consuming for a carer to manage.
Michelle, who has two young children with Aspergers Syndrome, said “Today has been great for me. I have been able to relax and mix with the others. It’s great to sit back and enjoy the scenery, in a quiet and calm bus ride, and not have to run off after my young ones is wonderful. The morning tea (an unexpected surprise at Mclaren Vale on route to Victor) lunch and the bus ride has been fantastic. Being on a carer’s pension and having a mortgage, leaves no money for entertainment. I feel very refreshed, happy and revived… a really great day.”
A tasty lunch was enjoyed at the Middleton Tavern, and after, most were happy to look around the surprisingly diverse Victor Harbor shopping precinct. Others took a walk over the causeway to Granite Island.
Many of the 35 participants talked of their ordeals and experiences of being carers. Some had given up careers in business and professions to be able to care for their loved ones, at great cost to themselves, particularly in lifestyle. One man in his thirties was caring for his wife with a physical disability, requiring her to be in a wheelchair much of the time. Both of their children have disabilities as well, one born with Down’s Syndrome and the other had developed severe autism. He said it is a 6am to 10pm job, every day of the year. Then there was Elizabeth, a grandmother who’s daughter had not recovered from post natal depression after childbirth, made worse by her and her husband’s divorce and resulting in long term mental health problems. Elizabeth now has her daughter and child living with her. Then her premature born grandson was diagnosed with autism. She spoke of the workload she had taken on and how tiring it can be. “Life can change in an instant, just when everything appears to be going smoothly” she said, adding that the aging process and lesser energy means she sometimes gets overwhelmed and isolated by the demands of caring. Respite, provided by Uniting Care Wesley Bowden, along with support from carers groups…. and short breaks-such as the day out in and around Victor, are all vital to assist carers in their roles, she concluded.
A member of the Vin’s Bus and Coach management team travelled with the group, and he acknowledged there must be large numbers of unsung ‘carer heroes’ in our community. “It was great that these people got to have a break, and I was privileged to have been involved in helping organise the day trip with the team at Uniting Care Wesley Bowden.”
Adelaide Fringe Festival
Adelaide Fringe runs over 24 days and nights during February and March. It is Australias largest cultural event. See http://www.adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/search for the program.
If you need help with transport of your group, just give us a call or enquire through our main page enquiry panel under ‘Contact’
Another Mercedes coach for the Vin’s Bus and Coach Group
Adelaide Mini bus is a member of the Vin’s Bus and Coach group, a successful family business and it’s fleet is growing. “We needed another large coach with lots of 
luggage space so we could cater for group travel and school excursions when extra luggage – sporting equipment etc is taken. This Merc is just superb” said the proud and affable Vin. A plush, fully air conditioned 50 seater, it has an on-board toilet and a massive luggage compartment. “It’s power and quietness on the road is magnificent” he added.
Big day out in Barossa
This group of young wine buffs said of their Vins/Adelaide Mini Bus tour of the Barossa after visiting Seppelts, Yalumba, Rockford, Charles Melton, Kabminye, Peter Lehmann, Langmeil and Chateau Tanunda.
“We had such a great day. The driver’s knowledge and experience made the day so much more enjoyable. I think everyone appreciated lerarning about the area and the industry. We will definitely be using your company again” – Alana
“An awesome day out” – Karl
Pic at iconic Rockford’s cellar door
d’Arenberg Wines surprise
Sydney – UK friends and information technology colleagues Claire, Stuart, Peter, Matt and Natalie were in Adelaide for a wedding on 7th January. Arriving a few days prior and settling into the units they booked at Seacliff, they decided to take a tour of the McLaren Vale wine region. Local friends recommended the Vin’s/Adelaide Mini Bus group. The group went to Wirra Wirra, Coriole, Chapel Hill, Scarpentoni Estates, Kangarilla Rd and finally to d’Arenberg Wines. At their last call they were able to consign to Sydney the two dozen wines they had purchased at d’Arenberg and other wineries, using Australia Post – for a surprisingly low cost, a service many wineries offer.
The experienced Adelaide Minibus driver noticed at d’Arenberg, 85 year old managing director d’Arry Osborn was in his office and asked if he would be kind enough to allow a photo of him with the young visitors. d’Arry obliged, and amazed them with his hospitality, wine knowledge and genuine friendliness.
A text from Claire the following day thanked all at Vin’s/Adelaide Mini Bus for a truly great day out and for arranging to personally meet with one of the icons of the industry. They learnt later their tour leader and driver is a member of the management team at Vin’s, is a grapegrower and amateur winemaker himself, so they were in expert and well connected hands.
Enjoyed extraordinary Hills tour
Ten Pembroke school friends, now at university or working, decided to get together in the new year and enjoy an Adelaide Hills wine tour. Vin’s/Adelaide Min Bus came up first on a Google search by Brigid, who is doing her honors in psychology at Uni SA. A quick quote was given by the helpful Vin’s staff, it seemed great value, and she could personalise the itinerary, so a booking was made for Sat Jan 7th. She selected Bird in Hand Wines, Johnsons, Nepenthe and Hahndorf Hill, as well as The Haus at Hahndorf for lunch.
Tour leader and driver Wayne arrived on time at the Hackney Hotel pickup location in a super-comfortable 13 seater Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter. The weather was going to be mixed – sunny and humid with possible showers, so he brought an esky with water, ice, plus a coat and umbrella! The girls boarded and after introductions, found Wayne’s wine industry background was going to add a special touch to their day.
Brigid had burnt a CD of her favourite music, and soon the mini bus was rocking up the south eastern freeway to the sounds of Rihanna, Snoop Dog and Mark Foster’s ‘Pumped up Kicks’. Their first visit was to Bird in Hand Wines at Woodside where they were photographed alongside a sign saying ‘enjoy the extraordinary ’.
“The whole day was extraordinary” said Brigid, adding this was one of the rare times she had taken the lead in organising the group, and happy it had all worked out so well. “The only thing we would have changed was the meal size at The Haus. The pizzas and risotto were yummy but we could easily have shared between two”. (A special note by the Vin’s/Adealide Mini Bus team – A light lunch is the go for wine tours, unless you prefer to make lunch the last stopover, whiling away the last hours of the day by taking in the ambience of the region over a meal at one of the great restaurants.)
Some of the girls enquired about ‘hens days’ and full day tours of the Barossa Valley with other friends. “No problems” said Wayne. “We can tailor a day tour for your groups and we have special arrangements in place with a couple of the top Barossa dining places for really great value gourmet lunches. Vin’s/Adelaide Mini Bus can cater for all needs when a full day is allocated for a tour, including joint planning of the day, and making the bookings. We get to take you to a lot of boutique wineries, see some of the oldest vines in the world and can include great food places such as Angas Park, Maggie Beers and Barossa Valley Cheese.”
Young lawyers cross-examine the Barossa
Every year a group of Adelaide and interstate young lawyers get together between Christmas and new year. Educated in Adelaide, some have moved interstate to find the type of work they wanted, but they love their reunions, generally built around a wine region tour. This time they chose the famous Barossa Valley.
Tour leader and driver Wayne, met them at their North Adelaide rendesvous point, then headed up the newly constructed Northern Expressway, which has reduced the trip from the city to Barossa to less than an hour. He then turned towards Seppeltsfield from Greenock and showed them the 120 year old Grenache bush vines that almost came to destruction in the 1980s vine-pull scheme. They called at the historic Seppelt Winery, Two Hands, Peter Lehmann and Grant Burge. The wineries would have been pleased with the purchases they made at the cellar doors. A leisurely lunch was enjoyed in the gardens of the renowned 1918 restaurant at Tanunda, and finally to Wayne’s own vineyard near Greenock where he took them behind the scenes in both growing grapes and amateur winemaking. Group organisor Alison, said they ‘talked shop’ a lot during the day, but still managed to take in the fabulous Barossa. “The Vin’s/Adelaide Mini Bus people did a great job and we will definitely tour with them again.” “Thanks for a great trip- accommodating, informative and friendly ” they wrote in the vehicle visitors book.
Future Music Festival Adelaide – getting there
Monday March 12th 2012 is Adelaide’s Future Music festival and is guaranteed to be a great day in the park. Venue is Ellis Park on West Terrace Adelaide and gates open 12 noon so make sure you and your group get there in style and have fun on the way, book your Adelaide Mini Bus now!
Some of the artists in the line up include, a DJ collective consisting of Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso, NYCs dance-punk band The Rapture, Fatboy Slim (aka Norman Cook), Tinie Temper, Jessie J , Chase & Status, Skrillex, Holy Ghost, Hercules and Love Affair, Azari & Ill, Aphex Twin, South Africas futuristic rap-rave crew Die Antwoord will be bringing their raucous energy and exhilarating live show and Sven Vath , Jamie Jones and Paul van Dyk are just some of the line up.
Make sure you dont miss out on getting there and when you book your tickets, get your group together and book your Adelaide Mini Bus to get you there.
Make sure the party begins on the way to Futures, take over our stereo with your ipod and blast your favourite music all the way there and enjoy a few bevvies on the way! ** conditions apply.
Book your Adelaide Min Bus now! Ring 8252 0627 or
email us for a quote : info@adelaideminibus.com.au