There’s a new arrival at Seppeltsfield, and unlike the grand architecture and wide-open vineyard views the estate is known for, this one draws eyes for something else. Its teeny, tiny size and old-worldy charm.
The Tiny Knife Shop has opened beside the Dining Hall, giving one of Australia’s most respected bladesmiths a charming home. The man in mention is Barry Gardner, a Barossa knifemaker behind Garner Knivers whose work has found its way into kitchens across the world, including those of chefs like Curtis Stone. For years, Barry has been forging knives in the Barossa – shaping carbon steel, grinding curves, polishing edges – each blade made one at a time, the way he believes tools should be made.
The move into The Tiny Knife Shop was a natural progression for Barry. A chance for him to have a standalone retail experience, and for visitors to see the range up close.
Inside the shop, you’ll find a collection of handcrafted kitchen and hunting knives, each made with care, precision and divine artistry. Visitors can browse the special blades (though big groups might need to take turns inside), use the professional on-site knife sharpening service, and meet Barry. While you’re there, you can pick his brain on the knifemaking process and the story behind every piece.
And with a knifemaking pedigree dating back decades, there will be plenty to discover. Barry’s story began in 1995, when he wandered through an Adelaide knife show and realised for the first time that knives could be handmade.
That moment sent him down a path of relentless learning, persistence and trial-and-error.
“Since that first seed was sown all those years ago at the Adelaide Knife Show, I’ve always known in my heart that I would achieve my dream of becoming a full-time knife maker,” he shared online.
“The guy who taught me the craft said, “It will be a very hard road to follow but give it a go and make every knife to the best of your ability, a knife that people will be proud to own and to use.”
The journey has been a slow burn. But like a lot of quality things, perfecting the art of knifemaking takes time. Three decades later, he’s carved out a reputation as one of Australia’s best.
And while a tiny knife shop might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Seppeltsfield, it’s perfectly in tune with their artisan experience and diverse world-class tourism offering. The offering that recently saw them inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ for ‘Best Wineries, Breweries and Distilleries’ at the 2025 South Australian Tourism Commission Gala Dinner awards.
The Tiny Knife Shop adds another interesting layer to the Seppeltsfield experience, reaffirming that the Barossa isn’t just about wine (though that might be the initial drawcard), it’s also about the makers who shape the region’s culture with their own hands.
Tiny, quiet, filled with charm (and Barry) and now officially open at Seppeltsfield.
The Tiny Knife Shop
Where: 730 Seppeltsfield Road, Seppeltsfield
For The Tiny Knife Shop website, click here, and here for the Gardner Knives website
@thetinyknifeshop
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