Gnadenfrei is the original name of the village of Marananga. Little is known about the early origins of Marananga as we know it today. When Michael stumbled across a run-down cottage on Neldner Road that would become our Cellar Door, way back in the early days of Two Hands, little did he know that Marananga would become a hub of hedonistic delights 25 years later!!
1851 - 1961
The land on which the Two Hands Cellar Door & winery now stands was granted to Heinrich Burghard Theodor Jacobs in 1851. In 1853 Friedrich Gottfried Ludwig Qualmann of Langmiel and Daniel Heinrich Christian Busch of Harris’s Flat both farmers jointly acquired the land. The property was divided in 1864. Friedrich Qualmann transferred his portion, the site of our Cellar Door, to Johann Gottlob Arnold, one of the original settlers in 1879, who then transferred the land to his son Carl Freidrich Arnold.
Carl and Bertha Arnold built the house and adjoining kitchen (now our Bakehouse Cellar) after their marriage. They had 7 children! pictured below.
Carl Arnold worked in Greenock at the Greenock Arms Hotel (which was across the road from what now is The Greenock pub), as an ostler. He died in 1940 and the land and home was willed to his son Friedrich Wilhelm Arnold. After his death in 1961 the property was transferred out of the family. The headstones of Carl and Bertha and many of their descendants can be found in St Michael’s cemetery today.
Cellar Door's name 'Kraehe House'
Friedrich Wilhelm Fritz Kraehe was one of the original settlers of Gnadenfrei and our Cellar Door is named in honour of him.
He arrived in South Australia on the 25th of Jan 1859 and settled on farming land neighbouring the site that would become our Cellar Door. He had a significant impact on the settlement of the village but the end of his life was fraught with sickness and sadly his life ended tragically in 1915, aged 69 years. He and his family can be found buried in St Michael’s Cemetery at nearby Gnadenfrei Lutheran church.
Visit us and our Marananga Neighbours
For a tiny village most don't realise they've passed through on their way onto Seppeltsfield, we certainly have it all! Next Barossa trip 'Marananga Slow Down' and see our home surrounded by beautiful vineyards, grazing land, wineries, restaurants, accommodation, a wine bar, a distillery, a church, a tennis court, a brass band, a pottery studio & a flower farm!
Our Cellar Door is open 7 days a week 11 - 5, Meander to the Marananga neighbours after your visit!
