Luxury retreat Kingsford The Barossa has made a stunning debut in South Australia’s most iconic wine region.
Over the past three years, the luxury property, centred around a homestead that dates back to 1856, underwent an incredible transformation by passionate owners Stefan and Leanne Ahrens.
Stefan said he 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,” he said. “Kingsford is a place we really want the region to be proud of and a destination we can all share with the world.
“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,” he said.
He said guests can choose to stay in the Homestead Suites, 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 a unique decor and design thanks to the direction of Stefan’s wife Leanne, who 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.
Leanne said the project “oozes with passion and pride” and 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,” she said. “This is our home and everyone is invited.”
Stefan said 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”.
He said it is well on its way already, as a showcase for Henschke, Penfolds, Yalumba, Rockford, Peter Lehmann and many other prestigious wine labels.
Food and beverage is a major focus of Kingsford The Barossa, as seen by the sensational cellar list, and the property features The Orleana Restaurant, which has a focus on local Barossa produce, alongside three bars – the 1856 Lodge Bar, the Peppertree Bar and the Kegelbahn, which features a custom-built authentic German indoor bowling alley.
There is also an outdoor saltwater pool, picturesque walking trails nearby and the exclusive Kingsford ‘Bush Bath alfresco bathing experience.
South Australian Tourism Commission Chief Executive Rodney Harrex said regional tourism is booming across the state and the addition of a new world-class property in the Barossa presents an exciting opportunity for the region.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“The 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,” Harrex said.