"Down Under" to Barossa Valley
(26 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Shel Hansen
La Crosse, WI
Premier Aussie (Destination) Specialist
During my 30 years in the travel industry, I have been an Aussie Specialist for 21 of them. With my sales experience, extra-curricular (Aussie-related) activities, including hosting and conducting annual Aussie Nights and other Australia events, I...
During my 30 years in the travel industry, I have been an Aussie Specialist for 21 of them. With my sales experience, extra-curricular (Aussie-related) activities, including hosting and conducting annual Aussie Nights and other Australia events, I have earned my way to the top and am a Premier Aussie Specialist as well. Having visited Australia on a regular basis (eight times) and experiencing different areas each time, makes me a great resource for you. Whether your travel plans include a “liveaboard” diving experience, visiting some of the world’s oldest trees in the rainforest, a hot air balloon ride, an Aboriginal experience in the Outback, holding a 20- foot python, a private surfing lesson, a private yachting experience, an overnight at your favorite winery, blending wine at Penfolds Winery, swimming with sharks, holding a Koala or just spending a quiet day at the beach, I can help turn these dreams into reality and I would love to help you plan your trip of a lifetime down under!! Added to that, I am a Travel Leaders Certified Travel Specialist and a Master Cruise Counselor. I have also traveled to New Zealand, Fiji and Tahiti several times and know that I have the qualifications to help you plan your dream trip!
Blending wine at Penfolds
If you’re a foodie and a wine enthusiast, you’ll really enjoy a trip to Australia’s Barossa Valley. To visit ‘the Barossa’ is to taste the good life, which includes premium wines such as the world-famous Barossa Shiraz and Eden Valley Riesling that are regionally produced. Add that to enjoying some of their acclaimed restaurants provides a true gastronomic experience.
During my visit to this special area, I visited both Wolf Blass Wines and Peter Lehmann Wines. After that, I was off to Penfolds Winery. Did you know that in one year’s time, 30 million (!) bottles of wine are made and stored there? My tour started with the augers, some holding as much as two ton of grapes – and concluded with the storage building where some wines are kept for up to twenty years. After that, it was time to try blending my own wine and so I was provided a number if necessary items, including beakers, flasks, parts of different wines, pen, paper and my own white lab coat. After the blending, my own creation was put into a special bottle with my name on to take home for a souvenir.
This is just an example of the experiential side of travel; with my vast knowledge of Australia I can easily include this or other memorable adventures in your trip ‘down under’.