Growing up in the Barossa, my earliest memories are filled with vivid images of the Barossa Vintage Festival.
The swish of the bright red robes of the Barons watching over the grape stomping competition under the fig trees at Angaston, the creativity, colour and fanfare of the Parade in all its paper mâché glory, making its way along Barossa Valley Way, the fast-paced voice of the auctioneer at Ziegenmarkt, and running around the lawns of various wineries as our whole community came together to celebrate.
These are the kinds of memories which stay with you for life, and instil a sense of what it means to be Barossan. They’re also the memories, and experiences, which I hope draw others to want to visit and immerse themselves in our community.
The Barossa Vintage Festival is a regional celebration which both embraces our region’s history, and highlights its exciting future.
The people and community behind it have ensured its continuation for more than 75 years so far, and this year’s Festival committee has been proud to stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and carry the baton into 2025.
Thousands and thousands of volunteer hours go into making the Festival happen every two years.
Quite simply, it would not exist without this generous and steadfast support from our community.
My heartfelt thanks go to our committee, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who enable this great Barossa tradition to continue.
Just like the patchwork tapestry which makes up our home, the 2025 program of events weaves together many colourful community threads to produce a captivating homage to our region, heritage, industry, food, wine and culture.
The Festival is a celebration of our story – past, present and emerging – and a reflection of our social fabric.
It’s our chance to ‘show off’ what makes the Barossa such a unique and vibrant community, and it’s our invitation for you to join us.
I also hope that you, your family and your friends have the opportunity to create your own lasting memories, which will entice you to return over and over again to enjoy the best our region has to offer.
The Barossa is our home. The Festival is our party.
We’ve rolled out the welcome mat, and we’d love you to join in the fun!
Carla Wiese-Smith
Chair,
Barossa Vintage Festival Management Committee
