South Australia welcomes the official opening of Kingsford The Barossa, with the much anticipated exclusive luxury retreat now open and unveiling a significant expansion. A passion project and labour of love, Kingsford The Barossa has evolved out of the desire for owners Stefan and Leanne Ahrens to create a lasting legacy; not only for their family, due to having deep roots in the Barossa Valley that date back more than a century, but for the entire region to enjoy and reap the benefits.

Kingsford The Barossa owner Stefan Ahrens anticipates Kingsford The Barossa will appeal to both local and out-of-state visitors as a new tourism drawcard, corporate retreat, wedding location and special events venue, whether as a space for celebration just for two, or a group looking to use Kingsford as a base to explore the region.

“Leanne and I, along with the Ahrens family, believe we have created something really special. Kingsford is a place we really want the region to be proud of and a destination we can all share with the world,” said Stefan Ahrens.

“We’ve taken the heart of the Barossa and embodied that at Kingsford. You come to Kingsford to share all of the Barossa experiences in one place, where you have privacy and exclusivity whilst savouring the best collections of food and wine we can offer.”

“As a fifth generation Barossan, we know what we have here is unique. Kingsford The Barossa has allowed us to create a retreat that allows us to share this offering with those closest to us, along with business contacts and much more broadly, visitors to South Australia.”

Leanne Ahrens played a critical, hands on role in the interior design, whilst the construction, the recurring arches that adorn the buildings, as well as all of the steel frames were created by Stefan and Leanne’s business, the Ahrens Group. The building process for Kingsford The Barossa has been nothing more than a labour of love. Stefan and Leanne Ahrens have spent the last three years working on the design of the property which involved many overseas trips to unique and bespoke destinations and resorts.

The Ahrens drew inspiration from clever designs incorporating functionality, exclusive spaces and creating experiences that are unique to the Barossa as well as their family. The original Homestead , dating back to 1856 was built by Stephen King and his pool of craftsmen. Paying homage to this history, the new extensions were completed to perfection by the Ahrens Group and their talented in-house craftsmen.

Sharing the passion and dream of Stef and Leanne, the Ahrens Group project managed the entire build as well as fabricating the incredible arch doors, balustrade and wine racks. The build oozes with passion and pride.

Leanne Ahrens feels that the redevelopment will breathe new life into what was already a beautiful place to stay.

“I am looking forward to this next phase of Kingsford, now that we can officially open our doors, host our guests and have them enjoy what we have created. This is our home and everyone is invited.”

There are plans for the impressive cellar, that is already well-stocked, to become home to the best Shiraz collection in the Barossa, and more widely, the world. It is well on its way already, as a showcase for Henschke, Penfolds, Yalumba, Rockford, Peter Lehmann and many other prestigious wine labels.

South Australian Tourism Commission Chief Executive Rodney Harrex said that regional tourism is booming across South Australia, and that the addition of a world-class property to the Barossa presents an exciting opportunity.

“We’ve seen tourism records smashed in regional SA, as South Australians explore their home state like never before and a growing number of Australians seek out an SA getaway,” said Mr Harrex.

“To think total visitor expenditure in March and April this year reached 93 per cent of that spent by tourists in the same months during 2019, shows how keen people are to see more of our state and spend more while doing it.

“Today’s opening of Kingsford The Barossa is superbly timed to leverage this opportunity – at a time when South Australia is punching above its weight and accommodation in our regions is so highly sought after.

“As a luxury retreat in an iconic destination, and one that showcases our state’s wine and food and landscapes, it is sure to be a hit among interstaters and international markets as they open up.” Guests can choose to stay in ‘The Homestead Suites’, ‘The View Suites’, the three bedroom ‘Meg’s Cottage’, or ‘The Stonemason’s Cottage. There are 16 luxurious rooms and suites to choose from, each with unique decor and their own beautiful design.

The View Suites, which are completely new to the property, are a premium offering that provide breathtaking views of the destination, designed to create a calming, private sanctuary for every guest. The intent here is to deliver guests an escape from their daily routines.

The Orleana Restaurant treats guests to a culinary eating and drinking experience, with a focus on wonderful flavours and local Barossa produce, whilst the Wine Tunnel and Vaults are home to an enviable collection of wines, including one the world’s premier showcases of great Barossa Shiraz.

The property’s unique bars, include The 1856 Lodge Bar, The Peppertree Bar, and The Kegelbahn – which features a custom built authentic German indoor bowling alley – offers multiple destinations within the property itself that aid relaxation, and allows guests to disconnect to reconnect.

The outdoor saltwater pool, delightful walking trails, and exclusive Kingsford ‘Bush Bath alfresco bathing experience, mean there is something on offer to suit all tastes.

Kingsford The Barossa is now officially open, tailor-made for luxury escapes, special events, corporate retreats and those wanting a little more.