Meet one of our favourite Barossa winemakers, Nick Badrice from Krondorf Wines

Tucked away just south of Tanunda, Krondorf is a small Barossan village steeped in history. It translates from German as ‘Crown Village’ and was founded by the Silesian settlers who came to the Barossa in the 18th century. Armed with a knowledge of European winemaking techniques, they tried their hand at growing grape vines and, with great success, began paving the future path of the Barossa Valley.

Though Krondorf Wines has existed for some 50 years, it made its mark in 1980 by winning the prestigious Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy. “It really propelled Krondorf into the limelight,” says Nick Badrice, Krondorf’s chief winemaker. “It became a brand of significance, with some of the wines becoming really sought after.”

Krondorf Wines continues to evolve with Nick at the helm and a brand-new cellar door is on track to be opened in September 2021, making for an unmissable tasting experience when visiting the Barossa Valley. That’s why we sat down with Nick and asked him to talk us through Krondorf Wines, its various ranges, and his philosophy when it comes to producing iconic Barossa wines.

The Winemakers Range

“This is our entry-level series, focusing on our key varietals including shiraz, cabernet and GSM. From a price perspective, it’s really accessible and the wines are showing good varietal definition and regionality. They’re made in a modern style highlighting the nuances of the Barossa and Eden valleys, and tend to show more restraint.”

The Founders View Range

“These wines really step up the depth and concentration of fruit. In terms of winemaking, these wines are heading towards more of a traditional Barossa style. We use grapes from a number of sites to make wine that showcases all the attributes people tend to love about the Barossa; complex, concentrated and quite expressive.”

Old Salem Shiraz

“This shiraz is a single vineyard wine that uses some of the highest-quality fruit in the district. The depth and concentration is everything you’d expect from a Barossa shiraz and it’s made in a classic style. We’re really focused on the quality of the fruit that’s going into this wine, which is sourced from our own Old Salem vineyard at the northern end of the valley.”