‘If you’re planning on visiting South Australia, the Grape Horse Adventure in the Barossa Valley is a must. It incorporates beautiful scenery, amazing and well behaved horses, and exceptional wine and food. Marcus had a huge amount of local knowledge and was a calm and respectful guide. I loved that even though I’m based in SA I had the opportunity to learn so much history about who planted the first vines in the Barossa Valley, and I had the privilege to taste wine from vines planted over 150 years ago. Each day was different and exciting. I rode Ivy and she was perfectly suited to me – loads of fun, with lovely ground manners, and responsive to seat and legs. The ride is equipped for beginners all the way up to advanced riders – everyone was catered for and had a horse matched to their ability.’

‘Chin chin and bottoms up. Do you love riding, wine and consuming gastronomic feasts? Then the Grape Horse Adventure is for you. Seriously, there is EVERYTHING to love about five days spent riding through the vineyards and stunning countryside of the Barossa. Marcus and Ellie are the perfect hosts for this adventure. Their wealth of horsemanship knowledge, endearing sense of humour and beautifully trained horses will guarantee you won’t want this ride to end! Riding through the extensive Burge family properties and those of their neighbours was a privilege not many people get to experience and one that I will remember for years to come. Do yourself a favour and line up a seat on this very special ride.’

‘What a great adventure to complete The Grape Horse Adventure. A personal accomplishment for me, it ticked all the boxes: experiencing the pleasure of riding a super educated, surefooted horse (Ruby), enjoying great weather, food and wine, and meeting new friends. I especially enjoyed the ride to Freeman’s Hut, where Marcus cooked a BBQ and served mulled wine. I enjoyed the quiet, picturesque surroundings with the horses tied nearby. Marcus and Elly were super hosts and it was a pleasure to be welcomed into their family. I’d definitely recommend this ride!’

‘I would definitely recommend this ride. The guides had a good knowledge of the riding routes, their horses and the food and wine. I rode Ivy. She was a forward going horse, which I appreciated. All the days were good and we were very lucky with the weather. I was very happy with the accommodation and food, and the value for money was excellent.’

‘I had a fabulous time. This was my fourth ride with Jen and Jeremy and my second with the new owners, Marcus and Ellie. They were all outstanding hosts – nothing was too much trouble. The banquet at Langmeil Winery was the standout food experience, but all the food was great. Our accommodation was very comfortable and fitted out with everything we needed. Every day was different, but I especially enjoyed the second day’s ride to a winery with a wine tasting and cheese platter, and great scenery the whole way. I will definitely miss Jen and Jeremy, but I’m sure Marcus and Ellie will fill their shoes and continue to run well organised and fun rides.’

‘What a way to kick a holiday off – riding through row upon row of vines as the sun sets, then sipping on bubbles once you slide off the horse. It certainly set an impressive and enjoyable tone for the four days ahead. We woke up each day to a cooked breakfast before being taken to different locations to ride out, stopping at wineries for lunch, wine tastings and tours, then jumping back on the horses for another few hours of riding. At night, there were delicious dinners cooked at the homestead, there was an amazing night out with a degustation dinner, and always, there was wine and a fire. The rides were over hill, over dale, and through all sorts of different forests. Every day had something different to offer. And, wow, do those endurance horses know how to cover ground! We were very lucky to have been able to slip in such a great holiday in 2021, and are looking forward to lots more chances to go globetrotting when the world opens up again.’

‘My first Barossa ride with Jen, Jeremy and their amazing horses was a pretty awesome adventure. Every day was different and amazing – never a dull moment. Jen and Jeremy were, as always, amazing in their hospitality and knowledge of the area, and their level of service is really the benchmark to beat. I cannot speak more highly of these two wonderful people who are devoted to their horses and their guests, and go out of their way to make sure your trip is filled with amazing memories. Great guides, great horses, good company – you can’t ask for more than that. I can highly recommend this trip.’

‘An amazing holiday in the Barossa Valley! A big thanks to Jen and Jeremy. They were the consummate hosts – kind, friendly and knowledgeable, and nothing was too much trouble. You couldn’t ask for better guides. The riding was amazing and the horses were beautiful, well looked after and very well suited to each rider. I rode the gorgeous Opal and I loved her. Being a beginner rider, she suited me to a T. She was surefooted and careful, and she helped me learn to feel comfortable at a fast canter, something I hadn’t done before. She really helped me improve my riding. The food was abundant and generous. The wine flowed! I felt especially looked after given my many food intolerances. The location was stunningly scenic, and the locals friendly and knowledgeable. It was a trip of a lifetime! Food for the soul, wine for the senses!’

‘Being from South Australia, I had initially written this holiday off; I had visited the Barossa Valley before and wanted a more exotic and exciting location! But I couldn’t have been more ignorant. The scenery was so beautiful that I actually looked at real estate listings when I returned home! On many occasions it felt like we were riding through a Hans Heysen painting or a photoshopped image. Jen and Jeremy went above and beyond to ensure that I felt safe at all times when riding, as although I’m not a beginner rider, I’m inexperienced at trail riding and was quite nervous on my first day. I rode Moonlight, who was beautifully educated and took care of me every step of the way. And as for the food and wine… the description on the website does not exaggerate! You will eat and drink like a king! I would highly recommend this ride and would do it again given the opportunity.’