Baillie Lodges Welcomes The Louise to Its Growing Collection
Renowned as the queen of luxury culinary tourism in South Australia, The Louise in the famed Barossa wine region joined the growing Baillie Lodges family, with an award-winning restaurant and world-class wine. Where great wine grows, great food grows, too, and the Barossa region is bursting with brilliant products and proud small-scale farmers. The Louise Executive Chef Kyle Johns and his team are committed to supporting local suppliers and products from fruit trees and home gardens regularly end up on the plates of the onsite restaurant.
Some 16 years ago, owners Jim and Helen Carreker embarked on redeveloping an existing country motel into a 15-suite luxury lodge set in the Barossa’s gently rolling hills and offering sun-dappled views of the region’s trademark vineyards. Essential to the Carrekers’ vision was a genuine, food- and wine-paired dining experience showcasing the Barossa community’s most exceptional wines – from world-renowned wine houses including Penfolds, Henschke and Seppeltsfield to boutique cellar doors like Izway and David Franz. Baillie Lodges Founder James Baillie said he felt very privileged to be the custodian of a property like The Louise. “We’re delighted that Jim and Helen have entrusted us to continue their legacy and vision for creating exceptional culinary tourism in the Barossa.” Mr Baillie added, “We have always considered that a marriage of The Louise’s culinary excellence with our growing portfolio of luxury lodges would be an ideal match.”
Small Luxury Hotels call this “caring luxury”, our sustainability partner refers to this approach as “eco-luxury”, we prefer to use the term “committed luxury”.
As a thriving and growing hospitality business in the luxury culinary tourism sector, The Louise takes its commitment to guests, employees, community and to the sustainable environment of our planet as a balanced expectation that they exist to add value to each of these ‘stakeholders’. Small Luxury Hotels call this “caring luxury”, our sustainability partner refers to this approach as “eco-luxury”, we prefer to use the term “committed luxury”. A stay at The Louise nourishes the senses and enlivens the spirit. Relax in spacious comfort at the lodge, experience pure indulgent luxury and sophisticated contemporary design whilst surrounded by picturesque natural vineyard landscapes. Guests can enjoy glorious sunset views from their private terrace, gas log fireplaces as well as a large lounge room, king beds, deluxe linens, spacious marbled ensuites and outdoor private rain showers.
.jpg)
.jpg)
The Barossa region also offers a wide range of experiences to explore ancient vineyards and natural landscapes. Enjoy a sunrise picnic breakfast with kangaroos in native bushland or meet the up-and-coming and boutique winemakers. Tour the undulating valley in a vintage car, walk or cycle bush tracks amongst native flowers, birds and wildlife. Connect with the genuine culture of the Barossa.
The real star of The Louise is the cuisine, which creatively reflects a real sense of place, with the team in the kitchen dedicated storytellers of the Barossa region, its produce, and its people. Appellation sees wine and food as the most natural of partners and pairs delectable dishes alongside wines from the valley’s rising stars, artisans, and icons. Baillie Lodges’ growing portfolio of upscale lodges also includes Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island and Tropical North Queensland luxury bolt-hole Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree. The company’s flagship property, Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, was destroyed in bushfires in 2020, with rebuilding plans underway. The Baillie Lodges collection extends overseas with New Zealand’s iconic Huka Lodge and Vancouver Island’s Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge.
Words by Alexa Bouhelier-Ruelle
Photos provided by The Louise Barossa
