Troy Kalleske

Troy Kalleske is the winemaker and co-owner of Kalleske. He’s a seventh generation Barossan who grew up amongst the vines. In 1999 Troy graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Oenology) Degree from the University of Adelaide, achieving a distinction average. During his studies Troy was awarded no less than three scholarships, including the prestigious South Australian Wine and Brandy Industry Association Medal for Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Oenology). Following university, Troy was selected for the Southcorp graduate winemaker program where he gained valuable experience winemaking at Seppelt Great Western, Lindemans, Penfolds and Seppeltsfield fortified winery. On completion of the graduate winemaker program, Troy continued winemaking for Southcorp at Penfolds, Barossa Valley. Troy has also completed a vintage with Rolf Binder at Veritas Winery and Miranda Wines, and in keeping with the increasingly global wine business he left Australia and gained valuable international knowledge of the industry as Harvest Enologist for Kendall-Jackson at Vinwood Cellars in Geyserville, Sonoma County. In 2002, after 149 years of farming and grape growing by Troy’s family, Troy and his brother, Tony, took the next step and established the Kalleske winery. Troy was the first Kalleske to pursue winemaking after seven generations. Troy has received numerous accolades in recent years with one of the most prestigious being the “2008 Barossa Winemaker of the Year” title awarded by the Barons of Barossa.Troy is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the Barossa’s and Australia’s best young winemakers.

Tony Kalleske

Tony is the eldest of the ‘seventh generation’ Kalleskes. From an early age he was out in the vineyard helping his parents with hand picking and pruning on the family vineyard and together with Troy, is co-founder of the Kalleske winery. Tony is hands-on in the winery during vintage but throughout the year he looks after sales and general business. Prior to the winery, Tony was national manager for a major human resource company and he’s also a qualified motor mechanic.         

Sally Kalleske

Sally is an integral part of the winery team, looking after administration and keeping the boys in check. Sal grew up on a 75,000 acre sheep station in South Australia’s mid-north and has completed a degree with the University of South Australia. Prior to joining Kalleske, Sal was office manager for a major hardware company in Adelaide.

Darren Nietschke

Darren is Troy’s and Tony’s cousin and started working in the winery in 2007. He’s the Kalleske cellar-hand and takes care of all cellar duties during vintage and throughout the year. Darren is a local lad and grew up on his parents’ farm and vineyard at Koonunga Hill in the northern Barossa.

John Kalleske

John is a sixth generation Kalleske and together with wife, Lorraine, is the owner of the Kalleske farm and vineyards. John has been growing grapes and farming the land for close to half a century. John has been very active in achieving organic certification for the farm. John has always strived to achieve the highest quality from each block and is always looking at new ways to better manage the vineyard.  

Lorraine Kalleske

Lorraine Kalleske is Australia's fastest hand grape-picker. During the 1980s Lorraine won a total of four National Grapepicking Championships, including a unique three-in-a-row trifecta. As the competition is now no longer held, Lorraine retains the title of Australia's fastest grape-picker. Lorraine has put her skills to good use by hand-harvesting grapes on the Kalleske farm for the past four decades. Lorraine is also actively involved in the planting, training and pruning operations.

Kym Kalleske

Kym is an integral part of the vineyard and farming operations, managing this in conjunction with John. Kym has almost two decades experience tending the vineyard. He is also responsible for the other farming enterprises, including cropping, organic Wiltshire lamb and the commercial chaff mill.