“I feel like I am in a position to make a
difference and help to drive visitation to the
Barossa because of the global awareness of
our brand, we really do help put the region
on the map.”
- Zana Irwin
A proud Barossa ambassador
When it comes to talking Barossa,
one Tanunda mother is doing her region
proud. Zana Irwin says being part of the
Jacob’s Creek team has allowed her to
tell the world about the area she loves.
“I am a very proud Barossa
ambassador,” she says.
“I feel like I am in a position to make
a difference and help to drive visitation
to the Barossa because of the global
awareness of our brand, we really do
help put the region on the map.”
Seated in her upstairs office at
Jacob’s Creek with its stunning views
inspiring her every day, it’s easy to see
why Zana says she “lives and breathes”
Barossa.
She’s worked for the winery for close
to nine years and is now the Business
Development Advisor, working with the
company’s brand home managers
as well as the tourism and events
manager - a position she has held
previously.
But growing up in the Barossa, Zana
never imagined a career in the wine
industry, let alone the opportunities it
would provide.
“When I was in Year 12 at Nuriootpa
High School, I thought I was going to be
a nurse and while I was doing my final
exams, I changed my mind,” she says.
“I thought, I don’t know what I want
to do. Then I transferred into my course
and majored in event management.”
Following the completion of her
university degree, Zana left the Barossa
and moved to Canada for two years on
a working holiday where she not only
found her future husband, Jon who
“followed” her back to Australia, but also
re-discovered the treasure that was her
home region.
“Honestly, it was like I saw the Barossa
through different eyes altogether,”
Zana says of her return.
“I visited over 25 countries and I went
to a lot of wine regions and tourist hot
spots when I was living abroad. Then
when I came back here, I could see we
were competitors and we were up there
with the best locations in the world.
“Growing up here, I never really
stopped and went wow, how beautiful
is this area? I took it for granted.”
Dynamic, fast-paced, organised
and driven are the words that best
describe Zana who is passionate
about the visitor experiences that
she and the team at Jacob’s Creek
have created. She describes the hive
of activity when busloads of tourists
from around the world arrive and “take
over” the Jacob’s Creek venue.
“It’s so much fun because all
of a sudden you almost feel you’re
transported to another country and
you can see they are truly amazed by
what we have to offer.”
Jacob’s Creek offers an ‘introduction
to wine’ experience for those looking
to test their brain and challenge their
taste buds. It’s a sensory experience
that covers food and wine parings with
common and unusual combinations.
You can also try your hand at creating
your own signature blend of wine.
‘Blend’ by Jacob’s Creek is a bespoke
and a truly personalised wine
experience. You can work with the
‘Master Blenders’ who assist you to
discover your wine taste preferences,
shape your very own unique Blend of
wine, then watch as your personalised