Day of Wine and Roses

For two nights and one day we enjoyed a well earned break from Sample Board Online and other work commitments among beautiful roses and vineyards. Last month we took a quick drive over the border to South Australia to see my Mum. The visit to the world famous Barossa Valley wine region was a highlight of the trip. We have lived in South Australia and have visited the valley many times.

As you travel along the hills and dales toward the main villages of the valley the rolling hills, stone walls and delightful stone buildings are a sight to behold. Many of the settlers in the Barossa came from Germany.

However it is interesting to note the oldest family owned winery in Australia is Yalumba. It was founded in 1849 by Samuel Smith an English man. Over the years we have had great times in the Valley. One of Mum’s last outings was to a Big Band event performed by the Australian Orchestra at a Barossa winery.

On this visit we stayed in a room on a hill with a balcony overlooking the Chateau Barrosa and rose garden. I have not visited the Chateau before and was delighted to find not only a gift shop and cellar door but an amazing antique collection housed in the sparkling formal rooms with smooth shiny marble floors and three glittering Marie Theresa style chandeliers.

The antique collection was gathered over the years by Herman and Inge Thumm. Herman founded Yaldara in 1947 when he arrived from war torn Europe. After he had established his winery he and Inge started to research and collect antiques. Their collection of 19th century porcelain (Meissen, Sevre, Worchester, Chelsea and Stinton) is considered one of the best in Australia

Also on view a pair of 19th century rococo marble topped consoles, 19th century Chinese ebony table, English gilt wood sofa and chairs around an oval walnut salon table, a writing desk in the Napoleon III Louis XV style and a mahogany sideboard in the Sheraton style.


One of the most interesting items is an 18th century leather screen. The Chateau Barrosa was built to house this wonderful collection.



Hemann Thumm said

‘The happy relationship between wine,

art and creativity can be traced back into antiquity’

On this occasion we found this to be so.