Born in the Adelaide Hills and raised in the Barossa, Amanda Mader has spent nearly three decades walking vineyards, reading vines and working alongside growers.

After studying at the University of Adelaide, she met 7th generation grape grower Mark Mader – they married, settled on the family property, and raised their daughters Opal and Abby among the vines.

Amanda’s viticulture journey has taken her through roles with Yalumba, Treasury and Thorn-Clarke, before launching her own consultancy, Vine Scout, in 2017. With a deep
understanding of vine health and structure, Amanda is often found dissecting buds, advising on pruning, or helping growers breathe new life into old vines. She brings practical smarts and a generous spirit to every block she works with and is always happy to share her knowledge and lend a hand.

Her contributions have been widely recognised. In 2007, Amanda was named Barossa Young Viticulturist of the Year and received the National Science and Innovation Award for Young People in Agriculture. 2022 was a big year for Amanda. She was a finalist in the Australian Women in Wine Awards, named Barossa Viticulturist of the Year and patented an Australian-first ag tech device for measuring bunch weight in real time.

Whether innovating in the vineyard or working alongside her family at Gumpara Wines,
Amanda works to help shape the future of Barossa viticulture with care, curiosity and grit. Aware of the challenges facing viticulturalists in the coming years, she is determined to be part of the cohort finding solutions to create a more resilient Barossa.