Our Story
Jim and Helen Carreker, owners since January 2005 of the property known for many years as Peppers Hermitage or The Hermitage at Marananga, have spent more than ten years researching and ultimately selecting the Barossa Valley for their food and wine endeavour.
The Louise Story
Their belief that luxurious accommodation complements a truly memorable food and wine experience is based on numerous personal trips in the 1980’s and 1990’s to France, Spain, Portugal and to their then local Napa and Sonoma Valley areas of California.
In the model of many highly regarded hospitality venues in those regions, the primary destination is the restaurant and its carefully developed cellar, and luxurious accommodation is supportive and complementary to the spotlight focus on superlative food and wine.
SEE ROOMS
This concept is relatively rare in Australia and the Barossa in particular. Following significant upgrades and major works to the original Hermitage property completed in September 2006, The Louise is the launch site for this unique blend of seasonal regional food, world-class wine, and private hideaway accommodation.
Combined with one of the world’s greatest vineyard regions, the dining experience at Appellation is a compelling reason to travel to South Australia and The Louise. Executive Chef Daniel Murphy leads a team of passionate individuals who have made The Louise an Australian beacon for local, interstate and international travellers.
“Long before Helen and I moved from San Francisco to South Australia a decade ago to develop our vision for a destination restaurant with luxury guest rooms in one of the world’s great wine regions, with Relais et Châteaux as our preferred global marketing partner. Australia’s leading small luxury hotels and best-in-class restaurants partner with the world’s most widely recognised culinary hospitality brand.
We are pleased and honoured to be at the forefront of an expansion of Relais & Chateaux into Australia, coincident with the launch of a multi-year high profile positioning of Australia as an international culinary tourism destination by Tourism Australia.”