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FEATURE LISTING: Luxury $3 million home in the heart of the Barossa Valley

Good enough for Russell Crowe to stay in while he was in the Barossa recently, this luxury lifestyle property is being sold by well-known locals Stefan and Leanne Ahrens who have created a sprawling oasis in the heart of Tanunda.

A luxury piece of Barossa Valley real estate has hit the market this week with a price tag of around $3 million.

Well-known Barossans Stefan and Leanne Ahrens are selling the 1910 sandstone villa, which they purchased about 14 years ago to be near their children’s schooling in Tanunda.

Having since moved to Adelaide, the home has more recently served as luxury accommodation hosting the likes of Russell Crowe, who stayed there earlier this year.

Stefan and Leanne are best known for having purchased the Barossa’s iconic Kingsford Homestead – the former set of television drama McLeod’s Daughters – which has recently undergone a $10 million luxury redevelopment.

Stefan is also managing director of the Ahrens Group construction company.

“We’ve decided to put our heart and soul into Kingsford after our huge renovation there. So that’s why we’re selling,” says Stefan.

“That’s the only reason; if we didn’t have Kingsford, we certainly wouldn’t be selling this home, I can tell you that.”

The property is situated on almost 5000sqm and features five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court with a bar and outdoor entertaining area.

It also has a residential liquor licence for 120 guests.

“It was built in 1910 and it’s just one of those beautiful Barossan character homes,” Stefan says.

“In the early years, the front room was actually a piano studio. It was a home business absolutely packed full of pianos and people used to go there to buy them.”

The couple completed a significant extension with both family living and entertaining in mind.

The modern iteration of the property is an amalgamation of Stefan’s penchant for entertaining and Leanne’s focus on interior design.

“We wanted to have large living space and big kitchen looking to the dining and lounge area, that basically all wrapped around the pool.

“We’ve hosted business groups, winemakers’ dinners and all sorts,” says Stefan.

“We could have a 50-person dinner in there with winemakers doing tastings and the like – that was something we have enjoyed over the years.”

The couple also purchased the block to the rear, which enabled them to build a large undercover garage to fit up to 18 cars.

This was for their own vehicles, but also a considerate move for the neighbours as they didn’t want guests’ cars filling up the nearby streets when they hosted large gatherings.

“The property is actually on two titles, so it has the ability to be subdivided to build an additional house,” says Stefan.

The home did have a cellar already, but the couple built a larger one.

“Naturally, coming from the Barossa, you need lots of wine storage.”

The family has great memories of living at Maria Street before they moved back to Adelaide to be closer to their children’s schools in the city.

“We will miss that house in Tanunda, which is just a magnificent town,” says Stefan.

“There’s so much to enjoy in the Barossa.

“The home is walking distance from restaurants like fermentAsian and Musque and the oval is less than 100 metres away.

“Local schools are close, so it’s perfectly located.”

The couple has a strong connection to Tanunda, with Leanne having grown up in the town and Stefan at Shea-Oak Log, near Gawler.

“Being on an acre right in the middle of Tanunda, it would certainly suit a local person who wants to have an amazing lifestyle in the Barossa, or somebody who wants to have a great weekender and entertain family and friends on the weekend.

“I loved the open fire in winter, cooking on the Teppanyaki bar and entertaining.

“Or, being in the cinema room watching a great movie, lazing around the pool or having a hit of tennis at the back,” Stefan says.

“It is a great place to do a bit of a day trip around the Barossa and come back for a fantastic night’s entertaining or for a more corporate gathering.

“Maria Street has always been a lovely place to stay for families and couples.”

The sale is being handled by David Cook of Elders Real Estate.

 

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