🍂Hills roots run deep

Good Morning Hills Lovers. This week, we’re digging into a few things that have taken root in the Hills; some literally, some figuratively. We’re kicking off with the origin story of Jurlique, the global skincare brand that began right here on a patch of earth near Mount Barker. Then we have a winder ice cream recipe from Red Cacao. Then onto a midwinter planting guide to brighten up the months ahead.

Also, a big thanks to everyone who’s joined the waitlist for the jigsaw puzzle. The interest has far exceeded my expectations, and I’ve already increased the order size. I’m waiting for the sample to arrive before finalising the order, so there’s still time to join the waitlist — just email me and I’ll pop you on.

Let’s get into it.

JURLIQUE BEGAN HERE
From the Hills to global brand

Before Jurlique became a global skincare brand, it was a seed of an idea planted in the rich soil of the Adelaide Hills.

In 1983, botanist Ulrike Klein and her husband, biochemist Dr Jürgen Klein, immigrated to South Australia with a bold vision — to create natural skincare guided by biodynamic principles. They found their perfect patch of earth near Mount Barker, where the clean air, fertile soil and gentle seasons offered everything they needed to bring that vision to life.

By 1985, Jurlique was born. Ulrike and Jürgen began cultivating medicinal herbs like lavender, rose, calendula and chamomile. Every ingredient was grown, harvested and extracted by hand, creating products that honoured nature from seed to skin.

The business grew steadily. A purpose-built facility opened in Mount Barker in 1987, and by the early 2000s, Jurlique had expanded internationally, including partnerships with the Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games. The farm eventually grew to 105 acres in Mylor, receiving organic certification in 2006.

Today, Jurlique is owned by Pola Orbis, but its roots remain firmly in the Hills. Visitors can walk the fields, explore the biodynamic gardens, and experience the place where nature meets science. Explore their Farm Experiences here. 

Ulrike’s passion later gave rise to the UKARIA Cultural Centre, a world-class venue for music and the arts, located beside the original Jurlique farm.

CHURN BABY CHURN
Red Cacao’s Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe

I know it’s winter, but I’m an ice cream fanatic, so for me, it’s a year-round expedition with no boundaries. When I came across Red Cacao’s chocolate ice cream recipe, I knew I had to share it with you. Why wait for summer when you can scoop it over [insert any dessert that’s hot] and call it a winter dessert?

If you’ve ever had one of their shakes or waffles, you’ve probably tasted the house-made chocolate ice cream. It’s rich, creamy, and now—lucky for us—you can make it at home.

The recipe’s simple, flexible, and doesn’t need an ice cream machine (though there’s a method for that too if you’ve got one). Perfect for anyone keen to give homemade ice cream a go.

Red Cacao’s Chocolate Ice Cream

(Makes about 1.2L)

Time: 20 mins prep + freezing

Difficulty: Low

What you’ll need:

• 900ml thickened cream

• 300g Red Cacao 54% Chocolate Drops (plus a sneaky mouthful for the chef)

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 4 egg yolks

• 150g caster sugar

Method

1. Gently melt the cream and chocolate together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Stir now and then until smooth.

2. Pour the mixture into a bowl, add vanilla, yolks and sugar. Whisk to combine. Chill for 30 minutes until cold but not set.

If you’ve got an ice cream machine: churn for 20–25 mins until it looks like soft serve, then freeze overnight.

No machine? Here’s a plan B: freeze the chilled mix in a container until solid. Break it into chunks, then blitz in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Eat it right away or freeze again until scoopable.

If you’re adding extras like, biscuits, caramel, or berries, fold them in after blending.

Big thanks to the Red Cacao team for sharing their recipe! If you try this recipe at home, make sure you tell them next time you visit, they’d be thrilled to hear about it.

PLANT NOW, GROW LATER
What to plant mid-winter in the Hills

Midwinter is one of the most useful planting windows of the year in the Adelaide Hills, especially this year, with unseasonably warmer conditions across much of the region.

If you’re planting fruit trees, now’s the time. July is ideal for bare-root apples, pears, plums, cherries, quinces, and berries like raspberries and currants. Soak roots before planting, add compost, and stake where needed. For blueberries, prep acidic soil or use large pots. You can grab a bare root bargain from Karkoo at the moment.

Winter is also perfect for native planting. With cool temps and steady moisture, natives establish deep roots before the summer heat. Choose low-flammability species like:

• Correa reflexa (Common Correa)

• Hop Goodenia

• Silver Banksia

• Lomandra and Dianella (for understorey and borders)

These species not only thrive locally but reduce fire risk and support local wildlife.

Ornamentals? Go for hellebores, foxgloves, calendula, Iceland poppies, and bare-root roses. All plant well in cold soil and bloom beautifully come spring.

You can also divide perennials (like daylilies or agapanthus), prune deciduous trees, and refresh garden beds with aged compost and mulch.

Warm winters shorten dormancy, so don’t delay. Whether you’re growing for food, habitat, or colour, July’s the month to plant. What roots now, thrives later.

The last Sunday of the month is nearly here, which means one thing – the July Café Ride! We’ve been running these monthly rides for four months now, and the turnout keeps growing each time.

These rides welcome all skill levels, with everyone riding together at a social pace. The Hills still give you that satisfying burn to earn your coffee and cake, but there’s plenty of time for a chat and a laugh along the way.

This month, Brendan has mapped out a fantastic route through Meadows, featuring some of the best gravel riding around. If you’ve been thinking about joining, now’s the time! Some riders come just to say hi, while others tackle the route solo later – however you take part, it’s all about enjoying the Hills.

Find all the details for this month’s ride here.

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Winter Reds 25-27 July - All Access Pass
Why choose when you can do it all? The Winter Reds All Access Pass is your golden ticket to the weekend—just $40 gets you into all participating venues across both Saturday and Sunday. No extra entry fees, no last-minute stress. Just show your pass, stroll on in, and soak up the wine, firesides, tunes and good vibes. One ticket. Two days. Endless reasons to raise a glass. Get tickets here.

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

🎶 Jauma Winter Fest
| MUSIC & WINE | Lenswood
📅 Friday, 25 July – Saturday, 26 July | Times vary
Celebrate Winter Reds with live music, DJs, organic wine, wood-fired pizza, art, fire pits and inclusive vibes at Jauma’s vibrant 2-day festival. INFO

🔥 Sidewood Estate Fireside Feast (18+)
| FOOD & WINE | Hahndorf
📅 Saturday, 26 July | 10:00 AM
Celebrate winter with live music, wood-fired feasts, and bold wines at this cosy adults-only event around the fire. INFO

🍹 Winter Reds Saturday: Crêpes & Cabernet at Tapanappa Wines
| FOOD & WINE | Piccadilly
📅 Saturday, 26 July | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sip your way through a mini Cabernet tasting paired with fresh crêpes in this cosy Winter Reds celebration. INFO

🎨 Paint and Cake at Echunga Trading Co
| WORKSHOP | Echunga
📅 Saturday, 26 July | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Unleash your creativity in a relaxed afternoon of painting, coffee, and cake at Echunga Trading Co's beloved art workshop. INFO

🎭 Garage Girls: A Night of Storytelling Magic
| THEATRE | Birdwood
📅 Saturday, 26 July | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Step into 1920s Melbourne and meet Alice Anderson, the trailblazing female mechanic whose life inspires this lively mix of history, mystery, and theatre. Includes a special curator talk and a radio play performance inside the museum. INFO

🎤 Karaoke Nights at Prancing Pony
| LIVE MUSIC | Totness
📅 Saturdays, 26 July | 7:00 PM
Take the stage and sing your heart out at this fun-filled, family-friendly karaoke night complete with paper plane competitions and prizes. INFO

🍾 Winter Reds Curated Menu at Sidewood Estate
| FOOD & WINE | Hahndorf
📅 Saturday, 26 July – Sunday, 27 July | Times Vary
Savour locally-sourced dishes and wood-fired fare perfectly paired with Sidewood Estate reds during this cosy Winter Reds dining experience. INFO

🍷 Simon's Pinot Party: a Winter Reds event
| WINE & MUSIC | Woodside
📅 Saturday, 26 July – Sunday, 27 July | Times Vary
Sip mulled wine by the fire, dance to DJ Ruby Chew’s epic party set, and feast on smoky BBQ while soaking up the Winter Reds vibes at this lively cellar door celebration. INFO

🥂 Flames and Fine Wines at Cobbs Hill Estate
| FOOD & WINE | Oakbank
📅 Saturday, 26 July – Sunday, 27 July | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sip estate wines by the fire with DJ tunes, hearty food, and cosy vibes at this scenic Winter Reds celebration. INFO

🔥 Winter Reds Fire and Feast at Anderson Hill
| WINE & MUSIC | Lenswood
📅 Saturday, 26 July – Sunday, 27 July | All Day
Sip Anderson Hill wines, enjoy wood-fired pizza, and groove to live DJs while relaxing fireside during the Winter Reds weekend. INFO

🍾 Winter Red's Fire and Feast at Anderson Hill - Pinot, Playlists and Pizza
| FOOD + WINE | Various Adelaide Hills Locations
📅 Friday, 25 July –Sunday, 27 July | Times Vary
Celebrate the Hills’ iconic cool-climate reds at South Australia’s biggest winter wine festival, featuring 50+ events and special guest Matt Preston. INFO

🍷 Winter Reds: The Shiraz Social
| FOOD & WINE | Nairne
📅 Sunday, 27 Jul | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Warm up at Adelaide Hills’ signature winter festival with live music, great vibes, and bold reds. From long lunches to marquee parties and family-friendly Sunday fun, there’s something for everyone. INFO

🥂 Winter Reds: Deviation Road x Lost Phoenix Farm
| FOOD & WINE | Longwood
📅 Sunday, 27 July | All Day
Settle in for a cosy long lunch with soulful live music, open braziers, and a three-course winter menu paired with Deviation Road wines. INFO

🔥 Sidewood Estate Fireside Family Feast (Family Friendly)
| FOOD & WINE | Hahndorf
📅 Sunday, 27 July | 11:30 AM
Enjoy a relaxed Sunday with live music, hearty food, winter wines, and family fun including a play area and bouncy castle. INFO

🎶 Graham Brown and Steve Ashley
| LIVE MUSIC | Bridgewater
📅 Sunday, 27 July | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Enjoy an afternoon of acoustic storytelling with celebrated musicians Graham Brown and Steve Ashley as they blend blues, folk, and roots in a soulful mix of solo sets and on-stage collaborations. INFO

📝 I Am
| WORKSHOP | Lobethal
📅 Sunday, 27 July | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Join Dave Chapple for a reflective writing workshop blending poetry and prose to explore identity, values, and personal storytelling. INFO

🍕 Vista Pizza Sunday
| WINE & FOOD | Macclesfield
📅 Sunday, 27 July | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Enjoy endless wood-fired pizza, live music, and stunning vineyard views at this monthly Longview tradition. INFO

📝 Stop Making Sense
| WORKSHOP | Lobethal
📅 Sunday, 27 July | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Embrace poetic chaos in this playful workshop where language and creativity collide to spark unexpected new writing. INFO

ON LATER, BOOK NOW

🍾 Sinclairs Gully Fizzology – Sparkling Winemaker for the Day
| EXPERIENCE | Norton Summit
 📅 Sundays, 24 August | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Craft your own bottle of premium sparkling wine as you learn the art of hand disgorging and corking at this hands-on winemaking experience. INFO

🍰 Baked Cheesecake Masterclass
| WORKSHOP | Hahndorf
📅 Friday, 22 August – Saturday, 23 August | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Master Beerenberg’s signature cheesecake pie with jam-infused fillings in this hands-on baking session led by their expert chefs. INFO

🎤 Spoken Word Poetry Workshop
| WORKSHOP | Norton Summit
📅 Sunday, 17 August | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Join poet Holly McClure for an interactive workshop where you'll learn to write and perform your own spoken word poetry in a warm and welcoming space. INFO

🌿 Home as Habitat: Nature Poems That Explore the Ecosystems in Our Own Backyards
| WRITING WORKSHOP | Stirling
📅 Sunday, 17 August | 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Join poet Rachael Mead for a creative nature writing workshop exploring how our homes and gardens reflect the ecosystems of the Adelaide Hills. INFO

🍽️ An Iranian Food Journey - Refugee Support Fundraiser
| FOOD & CULTURE | Balhannah
📅 Friday, 15 August | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Due to popular demand after a sell out an extra night has been added on Friday 15th. Enjoy a shared feast of authentic Iranian dishes inspired by traditional cookbooks and cultural storytelling. INFO

📚 The Nuts and Bolts of Writing Historical Fiction
| WRITING WORKSHOP | Gumeracha
📅 Wednesday, 16 August | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join Rachael Mead for a hands-on workshop that explores how to craft compelling and historically authentic fiction through research, character building, and vivid storytelling. INFO

📖 Fleeced – A Winter Words in Conversation Event
| AUTHOR TALK | Lobethal
📅 Wednesday, 13 August | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join Prudence Black in conversation with Trish Fitzsimons and Madelyn Shaw as they discuss Fleeced: Unraveling the History of Wool and War, exploring the wartime demand for wool and its lasting impact on fashion, industry, and the environment. INFO

📚 Meet the Author: Gavin McCormack
| BOOK TALK | Stirling
📅 Tuesday, 12 August | 7:00 PM
Join acclaimed educator Gavin McCormack for the launch of Raising Resilient Children, a must-read for parents and teachers seeking practical tools to support confident, lifelong learners. INFO

🥂 Bottomless Brunch at Barristers Block
| FOOD & WINE | Woodside
📅 Sunday, 10 August | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Indulge in a decadent brunch with endless wine, local drinks, and a mouth-watering hot and sweet course set among the vines. INFO

🎻 Michael Collins with the Australian String Quartet at UKARIA
| CLASSICAL MUSIC | Mount Barker Summit
📅 Sunday, 10 August | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
British clarinettist Michael Collins joins the Australian String Quartet for a rich, alchemical program weaving Shakespeare, Tudor melodies, Viennese romance, and Mozart’s iconic Clarinet Quintet in a performance of musical transformation. INFO

🍽️ Beerenberg's Sunday Roast
| FOOD & WINE | Hahndorf
📅 Sundays,10 August & 24 August | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Gather around the fireplace for a hearty, all-you-can-eat roast lunch at Grant’s Kitchen featuring tender meats, classic sides, and cosy countryside vibes. INFO 

🎨 Watercolour and Pen Nature Sketching
| WORKSHOP | Norton Summit
📅 Saturday, 9 August | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Slow down and reconnect with your creativity in this mindful sketching session with artist Rebecca Prince, featuring watercolour techniques, journaling prompts, and inspiration from nature’s treasures. INFO

🍾 The Art of Gin & Wine
| FOOD & DRINK | Lower Hermitage
📅 Saturday, 9 August | 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Sip, savour, and indulge in a flavour-filled night as Glen Ewin Estate and Paracombe Wines present a multi-course dining experience paired with handcrafted gin cocktails and premium wines. INFO

🧀 Grunthal Brew Cheese Making Class
| WORKSHOP | Verdun
 📅 Saturday, 9 August | 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Join award-winning cheesemaker Sheree Sullivan from Udder Delights for a hands-on cheese adventure at Grunthal Brew! Learn how to make fresh feta and soft-ripened camembert, enjoy a guided cheese tasting, sip local wine or beer, and take home recipes, and tools. INFO

🎨 Provenance – Exhibition Opening
| ART & CULTURE | Piccadilly
📅 Saturday, 9 August | 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Celebrate the opening of Provenance with art, live music, and local wine in a stunning Adelaide Hills setting as part of the SALA Festival. INFO

🍓 A Taste Of Beerenberg
| FOOD & WINE | Hahndorf
📅 Wednesday, 6 August | 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Savor a locally sourced grazing platter, sample Beerenberg’s delicious creations, and enjoy a behind-the-scenes taste of future products at this cozy farm café experience. INFO

🍇 Pinot In Private
| WINE EXPERIENCE | Ashton
📅 Tuesdays - Thursdays, 5–7, 12–14, 19–21, 26–28 August | All Day
Enjoy a private pinot noir tasting with Winemaker Liam Van Pelt, featuring current releases, cellar wines, and a shared platter. INFO

🍽️ Sunday Roast at Glen Ewin Estate
| FOOD & DRINK | Lower Hermitage
📅 Sundays, 3 August – 31 August | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Enjoy a cosy roast lunch with your choice of chicken, lamb, or cauliflower, served with all the trimmings at this picturesque Adelaide Hills estate. INFO

✂️ Paper, Poet, Scissors
| WORKSHOP | Bridgewater
📅 Saturday, 2 August | 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Create playful poetry through collage, blackout, and cut-up techniques in this hands-on workshop for all ages. INFO

🧀 Home Cheesemaking Class at Woodside Cheese Wrights
| WORKSHOP | Woodside
📅 Saturday, 2 August | 10:00 AM
Learn how to craft your own feta and watch a halloumi demo in this hands-on class with expert cheesemaker Mitch Lloyd, complete with tastings and wine. INFO

🧵 Enduring Embroidered Words at Fabrik
| WORKSHOP | Lobethal
📅 Saturday, 2 August | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Preserve your family’s stories by stitching cherished sayings onto vintage linen in this creative embroidery workshop with artist Fiona Connell. INFO

🎭 Much Ado About Nothing
| THEATRE | Stirling
📅 Friday, 1 August – Saturday, 9 August | Times Vary
Hills Youth Theatre brings a roaring 1920s twist to Shakespeare’s "Much Ado About Nothing" in a witty, Gatsby-inspired production packed with love, lies, and laughter. INFO

🍷 Beef and Shiraz Evening
| FOOD & DRINK | Lower Hermitage
📅 Fridays, 1 August - 29 August | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Indulge in hearty winter meals paired with a glass of Gatehouse Shiraz at this cosy Friday night series at Glen Ewin Estate. INFO

🫖 Beerenberg High Tea
| FOOD & WINE | Hahndorf
 📅 Fridays & Saturdays, 1 August - 30 August | Times Vary
Savor a decadent country-style high tea featuring handmade sweet and savoury delights, heart-shaped scones, and Beerenberg’s signature jams in a charming Adelaide Hills setting. INFO

🍕 Grunthal Brew All You Can Eat Pizza Nights
| FOOD & DRINK | Verdun
 📅 Fridays, 1 August - 29 August | 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Kick off the weekend with endless handmade pizzas, local brews, and a laid-back vibe at Grünthal Brew’s progressive Friday night pizza party. INFO

🎨 Madeleine Wright’s 5 o’clock somewhere at Hills Collide
| SALA EXHIBITION | Summertown
📅 Friday, 1 August - Saturday, 30 August | Opening Night, 1 August 6:30 PM
Hills Collide presents 5 o’clock somewhere, a playful and evocative exhibition by Madeleine Wright for SALA. Celebrate opening night on Friday, August 1 with drinks, art, and community. INFO

MARKETS

🍓 Adelaide Hills Farmers' Market
| MARKET | Mount Barker
📅 Saturday, 26 July | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Shop fresh and local at this weekly market featuring South Australian farmers and producers. Free entry and held every Saturday morning.

🛍️ Stirling Market
| MARKET | Stirling
📅 Sunday, 27 July | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Enjoy live music, delicious food, and locally made treasures at this vibrant, volunteer-run Adelaide Hills market.

_{Thanks for reading Adelaide Hills Pantry. I hope it added a moment of enjoyment to your day.}

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the traditional custodians of our land. We recognise Peramangk and Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the place where the content in this newsletter is featured and where the newsletter is created. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future and to the cultural authority of First Nations Peoples from other areas of this country.