Stirling. It’s the timeless, leafy village that charms all who visit. Wandering down the picturesque streets you come across myriad cafés and restaurants. And now you’ll come across one more.
Barrel is Stirling’s newest neighbourhood wine bar. It also happens to be the only one. So now, when you’re in the hills, you can get your delicious, wine fix.
Barrel isn’t affiliated to any winery, and as a result, they carefully curate their wine list so that you get the best of the best.
The owners, who wish to remain anonymous, said they will proudly hero the local producer.
“We want to really put an emphasis on local wines as there are some hidden gems right on our backyard” they said.
The wines are categorised by their palatable quality. For white, you can choose from the fine and racy sauvignon blancs and off-dry rieslings, or the more textured and sculptured Chardonnays. And if you’re a red fan, you can opt for a deep and broody Cabernet Sauvignon, the mid-weight Shiraz, or a bright and crunchy Pinot Noir.
And, of course, there’s the effervescent sparkling champagnes and the pink and succulent roses.
“We have one of the most extensive by-the-glass” lists you’ll find locally, as well as some wines that you’ll struggle to find elsewhere such as our single vineyard McLaren Vale Grenache by Willunga 100.” the owners said.
“Whether its your classic Shaw and Smith Chardonnay, or something you haven’t heard of from a local producer, we know the wines we’ve picked will knock your socks off.”
Barrel also offers a “build your own” tasting flight option where you can select any four wines from wine list to taste. It’s a great option if you are fearful of branching out to a new grape variety or region or simply want to compare options before committing to whole bottle/glass.
To pair with the wines, Barrel has a range of artisan nibbles you can share. There’s the melt in your mouth Burrata, served with fresh basil and tomatoes. Or the Kingfish Crudo, with pickles. And, of course, the Charcuterie Board featuring San Jose artisan small goods.
What sets Barrel aside, though, is the focus it places on community. All the meats are sourced from the local butcher. The adffogato is made using the ice cream from Hokey Pokey across the road. The Kingfish Crudo’s are even made by the local Sushi joint Saiyuki Sushi, and brought over to Barrel daily.
So next time you’re out for dinner at the Stirling Hotel, or one of the amazing restaurants on the main street, why not make a night of it and head to Barrel for pre or post drinks.
Barrel is open Friday to Sunday from midday to late. You can find them on the Stirling main street, just before the exit to the Freeway (parking at rear).
Where: Shop 3/4 Mount Barker Rd, Stirling SA 5152
For more informations check out their Facebook page here.
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