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If you head to Hahndorf in the beautiful Adelaide Hills (proudly home of the Salute Head Office), then a visit to the iconic Beerenberg family owned farm is a must.
Renowned World-wide for their premium jams, and their very popular ‘pick your own strawberries’ experience, over the past few years they have completely redeveloped the site which includes a revamped shop, a brand-new café with wonderful food offerings that incorporate their products and condiments, function areas, and a cooking demonstration area. The shop is packed full of their much-loved dressings, jams, and condiments, so you can grab a bight to eat at the café and try the products before you go to the shop to take home what you liked, sounds great doesn’t it!
Our MD, Bronte Hough recently sat down with long time valued Beerenberg staffer Kathleen Hooker to discuss the family journey to what is now a huge South Australian success story.
Owned by the Paech family, their history goes back to when Hahndorf was settled, and when in 1839 Johann George and Anna Rosina Paech sailed with their five children from Prussia to South Australia. Five generations later, Grant and Carol Paech inherit the farm in 1969 and diversified by planting a strawberry crop on the fertile pastures. Enterprising from the start, Grant begins to sell strawberries from a roadside tin shed he’s built. In 1971, the strawberry jam was introduced, and a name was needed. Grant settled on ‘Beerenberg’, meaning ‘Berry Hill’ in German. The iconic brand is born.
“In 1975, Grant and Carol pioneered the ‘pick your own strawberries’ concept, which is still running today between November and April each year. It’s a huge tourist attraction and prior to COVID was attracting 60,000 pickers per season.”
In 1987, Grant read that Qantas was serving imported jams on their first class international flights so decided to make a call and throw their hat in the ring, and the rest is history. The business continues to grow through local and international markets, and in 1999 the sixth generation took the reins, today Anthony Paech (Managing Director), Sally Paech (Marketing Director) and Robert Paech (Farm Manager) are proud to continue the family tradition of farming, land stewardship and food craftsmanship.
The family have strong values and in 2013 they re-designed their labels to proudly display their family, friends and long term staff stories on the jars as a nod to their loyalty and support.
Recently they have introduced meal bases which has been a great addition. “People are time poor, and our range is full of quality produce. We continue to grow the range and it will consistently evolve.”
Do yourself a favour and visit Beerenberg when you are next in the Hills, you won’t be disappointed!
