The Barossa Valley was settled in the early 1840s by small farmers and artisans seeking religious freedom from their native Silesia. The warm, fertile valley was ideal for ripening winegrapes and Australia's largest wineries made their headquarters amongst the vineyards. In the cooler ranges above the Barossa, known as Eden Valley, English settlers created large pastoral runs for sheep and cattle, but also planted vineyards to ensure a supply of table wine. Thorn Clarke»