💜 Remembering Barbara Kalleske — The Heart of Atze’s Corner Wines
It’s hard to imagine Atze’s Corner without Barbara Kalleske. For more than five decades, Barb’s hard work, warmth, and quiet strength have been woven into every part of our vineyard and winery — from the vines in the soil to the smiles at the cellar door.
A Life Rooted in the Land
Born in Eudunda in 1950, Barb grew up on a family farm where she learned early the value of dedication and care for the land. Together with her husband John, she built a life of purpose and partnership — from mixing mortar and painting walls on their Nuriootpa home to planting vines that would one day become some of the Barossa’s most treasured old blocks.
Video above shows a small glimpse of Barb's life.
Over the years, Barb and John farmed across Cambrai, Dutton, and Koonunga, growing crops, running sheep, and managing vineyards side by side. Barb was as comfortable on a tractor as she was behind a desk — grape picking, pruning, trellising, and harvesting long before sitting down to do the books or cook for the shearers.
In 1977, she proudly won the Barossa Grape Picking Championship (pictured with her trophy at top of page), proving that determination and skill could outpace even the toughest competition.
The Heart of the Vineyard
Barb wasn’t just involved in the vineyard — she was its heartbeat. She meticulously logged every harvest and row, kept the records immaculate, and helped design clever systems to make the work more efficient. Organisation for her wasn’t just neatness — it was an act of care, a way of making life smoother for everyone around her.
Her deep love of gardening mirrored the vineyard: thriving veggie patches, fruit trees, colourful flower beds, and her famously organised pantry — all tended with the same precision and love she gave to the vines.
The Warm Welcome at the Cellar Door
When Atze’s Corner Wines began in 2005, Barb was there from day one. She joked it might mean “more office work,” but quickly became the welcoming face of the brand. Many of you will remember her from the cellar door, where she greeted guests with warmth, generosity, and those legendary platters made from her own garden produce.
She had a special way of making everyone feel at home — sharing stories about the vineyards, her family, and especially the Old Vine Grenache block she and John planted in 1975. Her laughter, her attention to detail, and her genuine care helped shape the Atze’s Corner experience into what it is today.
The Advertiser newspaper reports on Barb's passing above.
A Legacy That Lives On
Even during her toughest times, Barb’s resilience never wavered. She faced her illness with courage and grace, still finding ways to lift others’ spirits — often with her sense of humour and that unforgettable knock-knock joke that brought laughter to hospital rooms.
Barb passed away on Friday, 26th September, surrounded by family after an extremely tough battle with Pancreatic cancer this year. Her spirit lives on in every vine she helped plant, every visitor she welcomed, and every bottle that carries the Atze’s Corner name.
As we gather this Saturday, 18th October at 1:30pm at St Petri Lutheran Church, Nuriootpa, to farewell Barb and celebrate her life, we invite all who knew her to raise a glass in her honour. After the service at St Petri Lutheran Church, Nuriootpa, and the committal at Neukirch Cemetery, we’ll come together at Atze’s Corner Wines for music, wine, and shared memories — just as Barb would have wanted.
Loved deeply. Missed forever. Remembered always. 💜
