Revealed: Full list of Barossa Valley’s most influential people
It’s a region built on history, tourism and of course, wine – but who are the people behind the Barossa? These are the valley’s movers and shakers.
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The Barossa Valley is both a historic region filled with stories of old, but one which is developing, constantly changing and adapting.
As the Barossa changes and grows, various community members are at the forefront of these shifts.
Far from a sleepy valley, this list in no particular order comprises the movers, shakers and those who are determined to promote a better region for everyone.
MICHAEL ‘BIM’ LANGE
It’s no surprise we couldn’t write this list without including the Mayor himself, Michael ‘Bim’ Lange.
Mr Lange has led the Barossa Council since November 2018, after serving as a councillor since 2014.
Renowned throughout the community as approachable and understanding, during his term, Mr Lange has overseen numerous developments in the Barossa, including the $1.7m Tanunda Show Hall Redevelopment.
A big cycling fan, Mr Lange and the council are always pushing to advance and attain funding for the Barossa’s ‘Big Project’, which includes numerous developments in the region.
Mr Lange can often be seen riding past local vineyards on his pushbike and is a familiar face to many.
WARREN RANDALL
When you head the company which is the largest private, luxury private vineyard holder in Australia, influence comes with the territory.
Wine baron Warren Randall – under his Randall Wine Group – has total holdings of 3318 hectares across eight premium wine growing districts.
They include the Barossa, McLaren Vale, Clare, Langhorne Creek, Currency Creek, Coonawarra, Eden Valley and the Riverland.
But it is one of Randall’s most recent ventures which has courted controversy.
His plans to build a $50m, six-star, 12-storey hotel named the Oscar among the vineyards at Seppeltsfield has drawn backlash and sparked a court battle.
Mr Randall is also known as a ferocious advocate for Australian wine, successfully creating a market for the group’s wine in China, until the recent introduction of Chinese tariffs.
ASHTON HURN
Ashton Hurn is the Liberal candidate for the Barossa-based seat of Schubert for the next State Election and looks set to shape the region in years to come.
With incumbent Stephan Knoll to retire Ms Hurn is likely to become the next local member to preside over the region in the traditionally safe Liberal seat.
The brother of West Coast Eagles premiership captain Shannon Hurn, she was previously the Premier Steven Marshall’s top media adviser.
One of her first moves as the Liberal candidate was to express her support for a $3.5m dollar water supply feasibility study.
The project, which would require Federal Government funding, would determine if an additional water supply for the Barossa and Eden valleys could boost sustainable agriculture production across the region.
MAGGIE BEER
No list of this nature would be complete without mentioning Maggie Beer, the popular local chef, author and restaurateur.
In many ways, Mrs Beer is attributed to bringing the Barossa to the world, with her advocacy for local produce and tourism earning her Senior Australian of the Year in 2010.
Mrs Beer’s curated range of premium food products have also spread her culinary tastes to a wide audience in recent years.
She regularly appears as a television guest on cooking programs and is considered a treasured icon of the Barossa.
Tragically, the 76-year-old recently mourned the passing of her 46 year old daughter who died unexpectedly in February last year.
JOHN GEBER
Owner of the world renowned Chateau Tanunda Winery, John Geber is a well known character throughout the Barossa – and the man behind a push which has had the region talking.
Mr Geber’s public battle to restart the Barossa Wine Train has proven a hot-button issue.
The 66-year-old is extremely passionate about restoring the old Barossa line and has even promised funding for the project if it were to go ahead.
The 66 year old is extremely passionate about restoring the old Barossa line and has even promised funding for the project if it were to go ahead.
Mr Geber’s personal battle with the State Government has seen him take the issue to court over the decision to rip up the track at Kroemer’s crossing.
Mr Geber has repeatedly expressed disdain for the current Liberal MP Stephan Knoll, who does not share Mr Geber’s passion for the rail project.
But it’s not all about the tourist train.
Mr Geber’s footprint also includes his plans to build a 48-bedroom cultural and education centre at Chateau Tanunda.
JAN ANGAS
Jan Angas is co-owner and director of the historic Hutton Vale Farm, which has over 176 years of history.
Mrs Angas runs the farm with husband John, where they craft everything from wine and chutneys, to exquisite hand sheared wool.
Beyond this, she has been a board member on the Barossa Grape & Wine Association since September 2012.
Mrs Angas was also the chair of the Barossa Partnerships group between 2017 and 2019 as well as the chair and committee member of Barossa Food between 2000 and 2017.
CHRIS AND SANDY DAY
Chris and Sandy Day have recently begun to make a big impact in the Barossa.
The pair’s many businesses include, the new Barossa Chocolate Company, and the recently opened Fine Acres Estate, which they co-own with American partners.
When the accommodation was launched Barossa Mayor Michael ‘Bim’ Lange said, while the pair weren’t originally from the Barossa, in the few years they’d been here they had made a big mark.
Chris is chief executive of the FABAL group, which oversees both vineyard management services and the numerous agribusinesses including the chocolate company and various cellar doors.
CATHY WILLS
A strong advocate for the region and constantly striving to promote the numerous hidden gems it has to offer, Cathy Wills knows a thing or two about visiting the Barossa.
The Tourism Barossa regional manager has become heavily involved in one of the valley’s biggest industries since moving here from Sydney with husband Grant in 2012.
Cathy Wills is the Regional Tourism Manager for Tourism Barossa and as such is heavily involved in one of the Barossa’s biggest industries, tourism.
The pair made waves straight away and also own The Villas Barossa in the village of Marananga on the region’s iconic Seppeltsfield Road area.
KNOLL FAMILY
While Stephan Knoll will not contest his seat of Schubert at the next State Election, the Knoll name is likely to continue having a strong influence on the Barossa.
Since taking office in 2014, he has been a consistent mover and shaker in the region, having previously worked for his family business Barossa Fine Foods and serving as chair of Barossa Food.
Father Franz Knoll – who is also an Adelaide City councillor – is the owner of Barossa Fine Foods and has been an active voice in business and the local community for three decades.
And while Stephan may be leaving state politics to focus, the will likely still remain greatly involved in the ‘goings on’ of the Barossa.
LOUISE ROSE
Louise Rose made history in August 2019 by becoming the first woman to be inducted as Grand Chancellor of the Barons of the Barossa.
The group, whose grand council is elected biennially, aims to support Barossa wine, viticulture, gastronomy, heritage and arts.
Ms Rose juggles responsibilities as Grand Chancellor with her primary role of head of winemaking at Yalumba Family Wines.
JOE KEYNES
Not only is Joe Keynes the president of Livestock SA – he has a family history in the Barossa spanning five generations.
Mr Keynes and his brother Graham Keynes announced last year they were seeking expressions of interest in buying their historic properties, Red Creek and Karinya Station at Keyneton, near the Barossa.
A fierce advocate for farmers, the town of Keyneton itself was named after Mr Keynes’ family and he intends to keep a presence in the region through a nearby property, which his daughter and her husband farm.
HOWARD DUNCAN
Howard Duncan is the chief operating officer for Artisans of Barossa – a trailblazing collective of eight small batch winemakers who mutually promote and support each other under the banner.
Mr Duncan brought a wealth of experience to the Barossa when he moved here 16 years ago after working across the globe.
He is known by many to push the envelope and to have big ideas.
Being at the helm of such an innovative group puts Mr Duncan at the forefront of the diversification of the Barossa wine industry.
Where previously small batch wineries could not operate a cellar door or wine bar, the Artisans of Barossa has allowed eight to do so on Tanundas main street, with a huge new cellar door location being constructed this year.
ROD SCHUBERT
Since 1970 Rod Schubert has been a full-time artist and one the Barossa has come to treasure and celebrate.
Having always maintained his roots in the region, he currently lives and paints on Menglers Hill.
Mr Schubert has participated in over 80 group exhibitions in Australia and overseas, as well as hosting 28 solo exhibitions.
Mr Schubert’s extensive list of accolades includes being the first Australian artist to design the famous “Willi’s Wine Bar Paris” wine art poster in 2015.
His works are featured in private collections in all Australian states, New Zealand, the US, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Hong Kong, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
ROBERT HILL-SMITH
Part of the Yalumba wine family, Robert Hill-Smith was appointed Director of the Yalumba Wine Company in 1985.
In 2019 he was named winner of the Maurice O'Shea award, a triennial national award for contribution to the wine industry.
Some of his groundbreaking work includes establishing the world renowned Working With Wine Fellowship education program, which has seen a wealth of knowledge passed on, as well as establishing the Yalumba Nursery which preserves grape varietal diversity.
The award in 2019 recognised Mr Hill-Smith acting as a leader in the industry – something he continues to do.
NICOLE DURDIN
Nicole Durdin is one of the brains behind the Barossa’s first commercial gin distillery – Seppeltsfield Road Distillers.
While gin distilling is not new in the Barossa, it is still very uncommon in comparison to winemaking and the distiller and co-owner’s excellence at the craft has many excited for the region’s future in the gin realm.
Since its formation in 2018, the Seppeltsfield Road has earned over 50 accolades including best new business at the 2019 South Australian Tourism Awards.
On top of her commitments to the distillery, Ms Durdin is a classically trained musician and has regularly played in the Tanunda Town Band.
ROBERT O’CALLAGHAN
Robert O’Callaghan is the founder of Rockford Wines – a widely celebrated group now known as one of the most creative in the valley.
The original creation of Rockford’s has become folklore in the Barossa, with Mr O’Callaghan’s dogged persistence, a small loan from a friend and a search for used machinery enabling him to get a foot in the door.
Now of course, Mr O’Callaghan has become hugely successful and is one of the most admired winemakers in the region.
MARGARET LEHMANN
Margaret Lehmann is a well known icon of the Barossa, having working alongside her husband Peter from 1970, all the while having a monumental influence in the region in her own right.
She has previously been on the Barossa Council, helped to form the Barossa Residents’ Association and helped to create the Barossa Wine & Tourism Association.
On a state level she has had many advocacy roles for the state including as the SA representative at the Federal Taskforce on Regional Development and deputy chair of the State Libraries Board.
While Peter sadly died in 2013, Margaret continues to be a treasured asset to the Barossa, continually working on new projects to benefit the region.
STEVEN TRIGG
Bringing a far from typical background to the Barossa wine industry, Steven Trigg is the managing director of the Warren Randall Wine Group.
The former chief executive of the Adelaide Crows and Carlton football clubs has overseen the group’s holdings – including the historic Seppeltsfield winery – since 2018.
The ex-Central District and North Adelaide SANFL player also looks wine labels such as Quelltaler, Tinlins and Rycroft.
Mr Trigg has quickly immersed himself into the fabric of the Barossa and recently commented on the effects Chinese wine tariffs will have on the region.
Did we miss any big players? Is everyone that made the list worthy? Let us know in the comments.
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Originally published as Revealed: Full list of Barossa Valley’s most influential people
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