Labour of love for iconic pub

It’s not often a delay on a commercial reno has a silver lining.

But when Tanya and Sid King, owners of 1918 restaurant in Tanunda, took over the Eden Valley Hotel earlier this year, it was their saving grace.

“One of the good things about the delay is we realised the importance of the pub to the local community,” says Sid.

“From rain to the price of sheep, it’s where people get together and just talk…It’s a community venue and the only business in town that’s full time.

“With the help of Matt Bishop we decided to renovate the building in stages and remain open. Locals have enjoyed watching as parts have been boarded off, knocked down, slowly exposed and re-opened – there were new things to talk about on each visit.”

With the expertise of local company Bishop Building, the building has been transformed from a dated relic into a contemporary hotel that still gives a nod to its 1866 origins.

Walls have been demolished and original stonework exposed to create a light-filled dining room, with the addition of an expansive beer garden on elevated decking, which has increased dining capacity to 150 people.

The piece-de-resistance is the rustic front bar, repurposed from timber floorboards with a repurposed Western jarrah top.

“Not too polished, because we’re in the country, but polished enough.”

Most important of all, Sid has taken great pains to ensure Eden Valley products take centre stage, promoting events such as Riesling Month to champion local producers.

“We want to support local business in the surrounding area and decided we would only offer Eden Valley Wines, and the new beer taps we’ve added have all been Barossa breweries,” says Sid. “The wines, beers, spirits, cider, it’s all family-owned, not brewed interstate. When people support the pub they are actually supporting a whole host of other local Barossa families and that builds a strong, resilient community.”

With a food philosophy of pub food done well – because “people live and die by schnitzel” – staff numbers have already tripled.

Sid hopes the new-look hotel will become a drawcard for visitors from Adelaide and beyond, putting Eden Valley on the map.

“This is a beautiful region with excellent wines and wineries, walking and biking trails, a new playground and beautiful accommodation, and we are ready to host locals and visitors,” says Sid.