The Barons of Barossa inducted four new members into the fraternity at its 50th birthday celebration at The Barossa Cellar on Saturday night.
Amanda Mader, Darren Davis, Marie Clay and Ellie Neindorf Agnew were recognised for their considerable contributions to the Barossa.
Grand Master Louisa Rose said, “We are thrilled to honour these four new Barons, who have all contributed so much to the region.
“Their depth of passion for the Barossa across a range of roles – viticulture, winemaking, hospitality, food and agribusiness – brings a breath of fresh air to the Barons.
“Each have a deep love for Barossa and a strong commitment to its future.”
With a deep understanding of vine health and structure, Amanda Mader is the Vine Scout, and is often found dissecting buds, advising on pruning or helping growers breathe new life into old vines.
A former Barossa Viticulturist of the Year, she has patented an Australian-first ag tech device for measuring bunch weight in real time and is dedicated to help shape the future of Barossa viticulture.
Darren Davis has had a lifelong passion for the Barossa.
In 2008 he opened Bar Barossa, making it the home away from home for Barossa winemakers.
He continued the theme with his Barossa in Boardshorts event series and his legendary Barossa Long Lunches. He is a true champion of our region.
A move to the Barossa to work for Wolf Blass in 2006 truly shaped Marie Clay’s winemaking path and today she is honoured to craft the storied Leo Buring Rieslings, with a winemaking philosophy to express the beauty of the vineyard and not leave her ‘fingerprints’ on the wines.
She is an active contributor to the wine community, a Len Evans scholar, wine show judge and was named Barossa Winemaker of the Year in 2024.
Ellie Neindorf Agnew brings a fresh, thoughtful energy to the region’s food, wine and agritourism landscape.
She has worked across the region’s food and wine scene with some of the Barossa’s most recognisable producers, was a graduate of the Barossa Young Ambassador program in 2017 and continued to work for the program for many years.
In 2024, Ellie and her partner Owen Agnew became custodians of Gully Gardens in Angaston, making a deep commitment to preserve this 120-year-old heritage orchard and traditional mixed farm.
Photo: Ellie Neindorf Agnew, Darren Davis, Maria Clay, and Amanda Mayer. Photo credit: Andy Ellis.