The Barossa Mag

The Barossa Mag The Barossa Mag's aim is to capture the people, explore the food and wine culture and celebrate the lifestyle of the Barossa community.

The Barossa Mag captures everything beautiful about the people, the places and the experience. Immerse yourself in stories exploring the people that create the community, the food and wine culture that drives the region and the celebration of our heritage and arts. Be inspired by the stories… join us as we uncover the real Barossa.

Spring has arrived in the Barossa, bringing with it a sense of renewal: longer days, blossoming gardens, greener vines, ...
09/09/2026

Spring has arrived in the Barossa, bringing with it a sense of renewal: longer days, blossoming gardens, greener vines, and plenty of reasons to get out and explore.

As the landscape awakens from its winter slumber, this issue of the Barossa Mag celebrates the people, stories and businesses helping our region flourish.

From inspiring local stories and creative talents to hidden gems, seasonal experiences and the characters with plenty of Barossan charm, there’s plenty to discover within these pages.

Whether you're enjoying a leisurely morning with a locally brewed coffee, exploring the region under the spring sunshine, or making the most of the season's renewed energy, we invite you to slow down, explore and savour another edition filled with heartfelt local stories.

The spring edition of Barossa Mag is available first in this week's Leader newspaper.

Cover story — A perfect fit
Cover photo by

Barossa Unearthed: Nicki RobinsRaised on a mixed farm in New Zealand’s Hawke's Bay, Nicki has built a 35-year career at ...
04/09/2026

Barossa Unearthed: Nicki Robins

Raised on a mixed farm in New Zealand’s Hawke's Bay, Nicki has built a 35-year career at the intersection of wine, sustainability, leadership, and communication.

As Viticultural Development Manager for Barossa Australia, she has helped progress the practices of more than 500 grape growers through science-led viticulture, environmental innovation, and nationally recognised leadership programs.

Nicki has driven award-winning initiatives in climate resilience, soil health, and sustainable wine growing, while mentoring the next generation of Barossa vignerons with the ‘Next Crop’ program and viticulture apprenticeships for Year 10s at Nuri High and Faith College.

With a career spanning winemaking, journalism, education, and grower engagement, she is inspiring change and building capability in Australia’s most iconic wine region.

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A ‘mostly’ portrait and ‘brief’ interview series by professional photographer exploring the idea that one image has the power to tell the whole story.

Each ‘sitter’ suggests the next person to be photographed in this series, and thus ensues an interesting and unknown trail of Barossa identities to come.

Stay tuned… Pete

Find more local stories like this in the autumn edition of the Barossa Mag or online at www.barossamag.com

For Steve ‘Zimmy’ Zimmermann, the story of one of the Barossa’s best-known food brands began with a family tradition, a ...
03/09/2026

For Steve ‘Zimmy’ Zimmermann, the story of one of the Barossa’s best-known food brands began with a family tradition, a patch of land and a simple idea: grow, preserve and share what you have.

What started as a backyard hobby grew into Zimmy’s Barossa Valley Produce, producing tonnes of gherkins and thousands of jars each week, while staying true to the recipes and traditions passed down through generations of Zimmermanns.

But Steve’s story doesn’t end there.

After more than 20 years of exploring positive psychology, wellbeing and the power of mindset, he is now sharing his experience as a life coach and mentor — while finding time for another lifelong passion, rally driving.

“I have always wanted to be able to contribute – not just have the benefit for my own good feelings, but make it wonderful for other people.”

Discover the story behind the man, the pickles and the philosophy in the winter edition of the Barossa Mag or online at www.barossamag.com

"I love the way the cool 2023 harvest has elevated this label in detail and varietal definition, heightening the pepper ...
02/09/2026

"I love the way the cool 2023 harvest has elevated this label in detail and varietal definition, heightening the pepper spice of Shiraz, while sacrificing nothing of the blackberry, blueberry and satsuma plum depth that we love of the Barossa. It's supple, ready and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser."

As reviewed by expert wine writer

Find more reviews like this number in the winter edition of the Barossa Mag or online at www.barossamag.com

For more than 30 years, Lutheran pastor Rob Borgas has shared the gospel through word and song with First Nations Austra...
02/09/2026

For more than 30 years, Lutheran pastor Rob Borgas has shared the gospel through word and song with First Nations Australians across some of the most remote communities of Central Australia.

From learning Pitjantjatjara and immersing himself in remote community life, to training Indigenous pastors and helping translate prayers and liturgies, Rob’s work has always centred on connection, respect and understanding.

He also played a role in bringing the remarkable Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir to international audiences, with their performances of German hymns in Indigenous languages inspiring the acclaimed documentary The Song Keepers.

Now on the cusp of retirement from his role in the Barossa, Rob reflects on a lifetime of service — and the universal things that connect us all.

“We all have the same wants and needs and desires for our family, that’s universal.”

Read Rob’s remarkable story in the winter issue of the Barossa Mag or online at www.barossamag.com

For Gavin and Sherinne Schuster, life on the land is about far more than farming.From their family’s 151-year legacy on ...
01/09/2026

For Gavin and Sherinne Schuster, life on the land is about far more than farming.

From their family’s 151-year legacy on the original ‘Section 391’ at Freeling, to the sunflower fundraiser, Barns of Freeling, giant artworks carved into the landscape and the development of the FARM Centre, the Schusters have spent decades turning ideas into action.

Their story is one of resilience, generosity and a deep belief in community — particularly when it comes to supporting others through difficult times.

As Gavin puts it: “We’re certainly blessed to live here and it’s our duty to help.”

Discover the story of a remarkable Freeling family in the winter issue of Barossa Mag or online at www.barossamag.com

"From the family vineyard of the Hickin family at Gomersal (known as Mecklenburg prior to WWI), this is a Shiraz that pe...
25/08/2026

"From the family vineyard of the Hickin family at Gomersal (known as Mecklenburg prior to WWI), this is a Shiraz that perfectly encapsulates the mood of this zone of the western Barossa, in a supple profile of milk chocolate and dark berry fruits. Soft, fine tannins are well resolved, thanks to maturation in seasoned oak barrels. This is a showpiece for the chocolatey mood of Barossa Shiraz, in the very best way."

As reviewed by expert wine writer

Find more reviews like this number online at www.barossamag.com or in the winter edition of the Barossa Mag.

For 50 years, has been creating opportunities for people living with disability across our region — and its innovative ...
25/08/2026

For 50 years, has been creating opportunities for people living with disability across our region — and its innovative Skills Plus program is helping take that work even further.

Designed to uncover each participant’s strengths, interests and goals, Skills Plus connects people with practical training, real workplace experiences and pathways into meaningful employment.

For participant Travis, that meant turning his interest in box making into an opportunity to explore cabinet making, with hands-on work experience through local business

It’s a great example of what can happen when local businesses, community organisations and participants work together to create genuine pathways to greater independence.

With its second Skills Plus round now underway, Barossa Enterprises is continuing to build connections between local people and local opportunities.

For Carla Wiese-Smith, the Barossa has always been home — even when life took her far beyond it.From working as a jillar...
06/08/2026

For Carla Wiese-Smith, the Barossa has always been home — even when life took her far beyond it.

From working as a jillaroo at the vast Anna Creek Station, to becoming an award-winning agricultural journalist, political reporter and editor, Carla’s career has taken her across Australia and around the world.

But after years in NSW, there was always something pulling her back.

Today, Carla is deeply embedded in the community she grew up in, balancing family life and her work with an incredible list of community roles — from Chair of the Barossa Vintage Festival and Vice President of Tanunda Show, to her work with the Barossa Council, Southern Barossa Alliance and local agricultural shows.

In 2023, Carla was recognised as a Baron of Barossa for her contribution to the community and media industry.

Perhaps most fittingly, Carla and her fiancé Michael eventually purchased her grandparents’ farm at Williamstown, where she spent some of her happiest childhood days. Today, they live there with their son Oskar — the fifth generation of the family to call the property home.

For Carla, contributing to the community is about ensuring the Barossa remains somewhere future generations will always want to return to.

Find the full story online at www.barosamag.com or in the winter edition of the Barossa mag.

"From 1912 Lyndoch vines, intensified with 10 per cent juice bled off for rosé and lifted with 20 per cent whole bunches...
05/08/2026

"From 1912 Lyndoch vines, intensified with 10 per cent juice bled off for rosé and lifted with 20 per cent whole bunches, this is a wine that captures the character of Barossa grenache! Classic red fruit vibrancy is deepened with inimitable old vine spice and laced together with beautifully textured, fine-grained tannins that hold a very long and coherent finish."

As reviewed by expert wine writer

Find more reviews like this online at www.barossamag.com or in the winter edition of the Barossa Mag.

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