17/05/2026
Barossa Unearthed: Stuart Bourne
Stuart is SA born and bred and, despite travelling widely as a child in an army family, he always found his way back home. After studying Pharmacology at Adelaide University in the 1980s, his direction changed when his parents became grape growers at Clare, igniting a passion for wine through a blend of hospitality and viticulture.
He later studied Winemaking and Viticulture and worked across WA, Clare and Victoria before settling in the Barossa in 2001. Starting at the Barossa Valley Estate, Stuart built strong connections with local grape-growing families, relationships that have continued through roles at Chateau Tanunda and for more than a decade at Soul Growers.
His work reflects a deep respect for the Barossa’s vineyards, people and stories, often carried through long-standing, multi-generational grower partnerships.
Equally important to Stuart is his commitment to community service. He volunteered for many years at the Angaston Football Club as a trainer, supporting player wellbeing across football and netball and working closely with the club doctor.
This role led him to becoming a Volunteer Ambulance Officer with the SA Ambulance Service, where he has spent the past three years learning.
Stuart is passionate about the vital role volunteers play in rural South Australia, where ambulance crews are often locals answering the call.
He believes volunteering strengthens communities, offering support when people need it most, and encourages others to give their time where they can – because without volunteers, country communities would struggle to survive.
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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
