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Baillie Lodges New Look The Louise Throws Open its Doors to the Barossa

Fresh from an AU$3million glamover, Baillie Lodges’ new-look The Louise has opened in South Australia’s Barossa Valley culinary country, welcoming guests from Australia and overseas.  

Visitors arriving to stay at The Louise, or to dine at her popular restaurants, award-winning Appellation and the charming new Contour (formerly three75) will appreciate a stylish and contemporary look and feel in line with the Baillie Lodges character.

Designs by esteemed South Australia-based architect Max Pritchard include sweeping curved walls which cleverly open up the main lodge and draw the eye to the peaceful tableau of rolling hills, criss-crossed with old-growth vineyards and a patchwork of small farms that characterise the Barossa landscape. Artworks commissioned from South Australian artists Emma Hack, Janelle Amos and Renee de Saxe provide a warm welcome and a real sense of the place.

In keeping with The Louise’s preference for working with suppliers from the close-knit community, the works at have been completed by small local trades companies, Barossa family company Bartsch Builders and – just down the highway – Gawler Custom Joinery. Beautiful American oak features in the joinery, referencing the oak used in wine barrels that are symbolic of the Barossa.  

Inside, drinks and dining take centre stage in this culinary luxury lodge. Baillie Lodges is delighted to welcome Executive Chef Asher Blackford to the helm in the kitchen, fresh from a stint at sister property Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on Vancouver Island and formerly from flagship property Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island. Asher brings with him an approach to food that’s inspired by the sights, sounds and feels of the landscape and showcases the diverse, seasonal harvest of fresh local produce grown by the Barossa’s community of farmers and growers.

A revitalised dining experience has a splendid stage for its theatre and storytelling, with Appellation now featuring large windows to make the most of vineyard views and stylish private dining nooks to make the most of every dining occasion. There’s no supplied menu for the five-course degustation with matched wines; the experience is personally delivered in the stories of the culinary hosts. There’s a cool new vibe at Contour where intimate booths, a counter seat bar, a menu of favourites and a long list of wines, local brews and cocktails are reason to linger longer.

The renowned Louise wine collection has been granted a showcase worthy of its contents; nestled alongside the guest lounge, the timber and glass prism holds more than 800 wine bottles and has been dubbed the ‘wine lantern’ as it glows with the liquid stories behind the fine labels from the Barossa, South Australia and beyond.

For guests, The Louise’s fifteen suites have also seen a significant refurbishment, with contemporary furnishings, king beds, luxury ensuite bathroom and plenty of space to feel at home. Generous in size and boasting private courtyards and French doors opening onto vineyard views, the suites have been renamed as Stonewell Suites for the standards and Marananga Suites for the premiums, while the two-bedroom Bethany Suite is ideal for families or friends travelling together.

Baillie Lodges Chief Operating Officer Craig Bradbery said the team was thrilled to be opening its doors to friends and guests from near and far from today onwards.

“We’re just thrilled to see the results of the intricate planning and investment in this iconic property and we’re so excited to embark on the delivery of a new experience of the Barossa for our guests with The Louise as luxury base,” Mr Bradbery said.

“Much more than ‘just wine’, there’s so much to see and do, and people to meet in the Barossa, and we’re delighted to be welcoming new guests as well as old friends to experience this special place,” he said.

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