Reviews

‘The Grape Horse Adventure in the Barossa Valley brings together two of my loves: wonderful horses and beautiful wines. It really doesn’t get any better. I rode Piccolo, a lovely, forward moving horse who was very trustworthy and loads of fun to ride. Being on horseback, we could get into areas otherwise not normally seen. The landscape was continually changing, from large open grazing pastures to majestic gum trees and heavily wooded forests, lofty ranges to abundant vineyards with the beautiful colours of autumn leaves. Nothing was too much trouble for our guides Marcus and Keygan. They were polite, informative and able to show us the diversity of the Barossa Valley. I would certainly recommend this ride, even if wine is not your thing!’

‘After several years and a number of thwarted attempts to go globetrotting, I was worried that my very high (and possibly unrealistic) expectations could not possibly be met. I am delighted to say that I was proven wrong! The ride, horses, hosts, wildlife, landscapes, food, wine and new friends all exceeded my expectations. I rode Gem – a quiet achiever with a lovely temperament who was calm, fast paced, up for a cuddle and very responsive. Our guides were knowledgeable and skillful communicators, great hosts and responsive to guests’ needs and preferences at all times. As with all good holidays, I departed for home with firm plans for my next trip!’

‘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.’

‘I absolutely loved my ride in the Barossa Valley. Jen and Jeremy were such wonderful hosts and their well behaved string of horses are an absolute credit to them. The accommodation was very clean and cosy, and all the meals were fantastic, and the wine too! Jeremy and Jen cooked delicious food, and the pizza night at Ros and Peter’s was great too. My favourite day was definitely riding along the mountain ranges to lunch at Grant Burge Winery. My dear horse, Jabberwocky, was a dream to ride. I loved every bit of it!’

‘What a wonderful five days we had with Jen, Jeremy and Roz. We were so spoiled to have a whole ride to ourselves, as we were eight riders, all friends. We chose this ride to celebrate our wonderful friend Jude’s 85th birthday. We had the most fantastic time, travelling through the amazing forest, vineyards, steep hilly country and fire trails through the bush areas. Jeremy and Roz were our guides while on horseback and nothing was ever a problem. The horses were wonderful, all endurance trained, so responsive and forward. Everyone was suited well to their horse. I rode the beautiful, grey mare, Moonlight (Moo), a sensitive little lady. Off the horse, Jen looked after us so well. Our horses were all ready for us every morning, lunch brought out to us on the days we didn’t stop near civilisation, and then at the end of every day, Jen was there to greet us and help put the horses to bed.’

‘Riding through the grape vines of the Barossa Valley, up and down the many hills, and enjoying the spectacular views was just amazing. I thought it was the best way to see the Barossa Valley. You see so much more. I love the old eucalyptus trees, and even better the view between Ruby’s ears when she pricks them and looks around at the sights. Jen and Jeremy are great guides and hosts this why I wanted to do the Grape Horse Adventure. I was going to do Jen and Jeremy’s Tassie Tiger Trail again but decided to give this ride a try instead, and sure enough it was everything that I imagined. I’ve said goodbye to Ruby twice before, not sure if I would see her again, and I am so blessed that I did. She’s a trooper.’

‘We loved this ride – the absolutely superb horses, the great company of guests, the outstanding gourmet food and wine and the constant care and support from Jeremy and Jen. The countryside we rode through was incredible and those amazing horses showed they can take us anywhere. We will definitely ride with them again! …and did we mention the stunning wines!’

‘This ride was so much more than I’d hoped it would be. I came on my own, but felt completely part of the group – all friendly, inspiring and interesting women. Jen and Jeremy took care of us like we were family, and have created a diverse and awesome itinerary not just of great riding, but of local food and wine experiences and meeting local people. And Jabberwocky was my beautiful, willing, four-legged partner every day!’

‘Don’t miss the Grape Horse Adventure! The most beautifully trained horses well matched to your riding skills, and a chance to learn more about these beautiful endurance horses. The food and wine experience was exceptional and you’ll have the two most hospitable hosts. You will feel very much at home in this wonderful country setting. Thank you, Jen and Jeremy, for a memorable week!’

‘My first Globetrotting experience has made me hungry for more. As a person who has owned horses most of my life I have finally found the next best thing to riding my own horses. I won’t risk any of the standard horse riding tour companies as I have been disappointed in the past. I trust Globetrotting to ensure that all their rides provide the highest standard of horses in terms of fitness and temperament and hosts who are professional, experienced, and treat both horses and clients as a priority. I’m so glad I finally did it!!’

‘A truly amazing ride! Our hosts, Jen and Jeremy, were fabulous, their horses were amazing, the scenery was breathtaking, the food and wine were oh so good, what more could you ask for! This ride has it all. Enjoyed every minute and would go again tomorrow!’

‘Just wanted to say a huge thank you to Jen and Jeremy and the Globetrotting team for hosting such a wonderful holiday on The Grape Horse Adventure in the Barossa Valley. It simply was amazing! It was a privilege to ride such beautiful horses. The scenery was spectacular, as was the food and wine. We had a fabulous group of people and I learnt so much about natural horsemanship. I hope to join the team on the Tassie Tiger Trail in the future.’

‘The Grape Horse Adventure was excellent. Jeremy and Jen have created a well thought-through itinerary which provides great entertainment and experiences. Their horsemanship is outstanding and they have a wonderful collection of horses, catering to all types of riding abilities.’

‘Mum and I had the most amazing escape to the Barossa Valley with Jen and Jeremy. They were the greatest hosts, looking after us as we rode their prize-winning endurance horses around the stunning vineyards, sampling all the local fare! My highlights would have to be galloping Princess Tikka through the magic pine forests and enjoying some amazing views, food and wine with a great bunch of people!’

‘The perfect ride… beautiful scenery, great horses, wonderful food and copious amounts of wine. Jeremy and Jen were very committed to good horsemanship with lots of tips and advice for novice riders, while still managing to challenge the more experienced riders in the group. We had such a good time that we are exploring how we squeeze in the Tassie Tiger Trail with Jeremy and Jen next year!’

“The Barossa Grape Horse Adventure was magnificent! A perfect horsey indulgence.”

“The best trip yet! I cannot recommend this ride highly enough.”

“Wowsers! I loved, loved, LOVED this ride. Is 6 stars out of 5 ok?”

“The ride with Jen and Jeremy has given me a life long memory to be privileged to experience such beautiful, well trained horses whilst seeing magnificent parts of Australia.”

“A wonderful cocktail of beautiful horses, stunning scenery, great company and laughter, lovely meals and time spent out of the saddle in the wineries. “

“I honestly can’t say enough positive things about Jen and Jeremy. They were both knowledgeable and supportive. How lucky are they to be able to live their passion!”

“If you love riding soft, well mannered horses, enjoy good food and wine and plenty of it, and also some of South Australia’s history I highly recommend this tour.”

“Riding through the vineyards, the forest, cantering up hills, trotting – everything was really great!”

“The quality of horses, accommodation & meals are second to none!”

“The meals were outstanding, we had everything we needed and more!”