At its core, hospitality is the key to a successful cellar door experience. The most memorable and engaging experiences are those that make you feel like you’ve been welcomed into the winemaker’s home. But what if you were already home? Or at the very least, a temporary home, gilded with comfort, luxury and a sense of escape?
That’s entirely possible at Longview, the family-owned winery that makes award-winning estate grown wines and now with award-winning accommodation. The Longview property is just 45 minutes from Adelaide outside the Adelaide Hills township of Macclesfield. Besides the newly renovated homestead which can be supplied as either a full house for up to 12 or separated into individual suites, there are also a host of suites for deluxe two-person accommodation dotted on the property.
“The Vineyard Suites are nestled in our Pinot Noir vineyard,” explained Longview CEO Peter Saturno. “You could reach out and touch the vines.”
Luxury accommodation can sometimes be hard to come by in the regions so the investment that Longview has made is paying off, given that a visit to Longview can now result in a weekend where you never need to leave the property. The suites are also packed with local gourmet produce that the Longview team have selected to show off the best of the region.
You can tell that Peter is exceptionally proud of all that Longview has achieved, not just in its accommodation, but in the way the winery is being embraced as a destination for those needing to seek a local escape after a tumultuous year for many. Travel restrictions has meant locals have been looking closer to home to relax and recharge, which is something Longview specialise in. Peter is quick to point out just how lucky we in South Australia really are.
“You can quote me on this – South Australians are spoiled,” laughs Peter. “We have four amazing wine regions within an hour of Adelaide. We’re the only place in the world to have that.”
This means that the amount of unique experiences to have in South Australia’s wine regions are not only plentiful, but also accessible. Like most, I’m guilty of not making the most of the opportunities on my doorstep. If there is a silver lining to come from COVID-19 it is that my focus is on looking local when planning a getaway.
Longview isn’t a winery that sits still for very long. Peter hints at new experiences and additions to the accommodation planned for the future, meaning that they will be even better equipped to have a place for guests to retreat after a wedding or event.
So, whether you’re travelling from near or far you can have your next getaway at an award winner, an arm’s reach from the vines.
Story written by 2020 Wine Media Cadet, Lachlan Aird
