The Tanunda Bakery has takes out top spot as the best bakery in the Barossa, Clare & Gawler

Authentic German pastries, cakes and a loyal customer base are behind the best bakery in the Barossa, Clare and Gawler – as voted by you.

The Tanunda Bakery has taken out top honours in our best bakery competition, with dedication to customer service and authentic German baking being a core focus of the 25-year-old business.

It comes as another win for Tanunda, as another local business took out the win for our best brunch competition in March.

Elka Trinkale at the Tanunda Bakery. Picture: Jason Katsaras

Elka Trinkale and her husband Harding Trinkale started the business in 1996 after moving from Germany two years earlier.

Mr Trinkale worked in several bakeries in Germany before moving to Tanunda.

Mrs Trinkale said upon setting up the bakery, the pair were conscious of providing Australian baked goods staples to customers as well as traditional German items like bienenstich, German yeast cake and streusel buns.

“Our highest priority is consistent quality and consistent quality service,” she said.

“When we started the business it was just us doing everything, which was quite challenging, but over the years we’ve built up the customer base, to us the customer is everything and we have a lot of regulars.”

The Tanunda Bakery's display. Picture: Jason Katsaras

The much-loved bakery existed primarily as a takeaway business until 2011 when they expanded to accommodate more seating and pivoted to both a bakery and cafe.

“Last year we suffered here in the Barossa even before COVID-19 hit because after the Kangaroo Island and Adelaide Hills fires most local tourists went to support those areas, the Barossa was really put on the backburner,” Mrs Trinkale said.

“After that we were really hoping for a busy vintage, and then COVID-19 hit.”

The Barossa local said that the past few months had seen a steady rise in business, with customers delighted to be able to dine in at their favourite bakery.

“Things have been getting back to normal, the last couple of weeks have been so busy with the vintage festival, it’s been so great to see tourists back into the region,” Mrs Trinkale said.