Red Wine, Riesling and Real Estate: Ray White Unites Two Powerhouse Regions Under One Banner

Two of South Australia’s most recognised wine regions are now under a single Ray White leadership team, with Barossa Valley leaders Darren Pratt and Jamie Wood officially expanding into Clare Valley — joined by rising star Connor Young.

The move follows a strategic handover by Ray White Clare Valley’s long-time owner, Mark O’Meagher, who steps back from ownership after more than a decade with the business to focus purely on sales.

“I’m proud of what we’ve built — the market share, the community relationships, and the calibre of the team,” Mr O’Meagher said.

“It felt like the right time to hand the reins to the next generation, while continuing to do what I love most — listing and selling.”

The transition brings together two strong-performing offices with aligned values and a shared appetite for growth.

“Mark’s done an exceptional job,” said Mr Pratt. “We’ve admired the Clare operation for a long time. These two markets naturally complement one another — it’s a logical next step to unify and scale.”

“And let’s be honest — we’ve always had the shiraz here in Barossa. Now we get to bring home the riesling too,” he added.

For Connor Young, the acquisition marks a major career milestone. After nearly seven years with the Barossa and Two Wells teams, he’s stepping into co-ownership and will lead the Clare Valley office on the ground.

“This has been a goal of mine for a while now,” Mr Young said. “It means a lot to be partnering with Darren and Jamie — they’ve been incredible mentors. I’m excited to build a team here in Clare and really embed ourselves in the community.”

Mr Young will continue to work closely with Mr O’Meagher throughout the transition, ensuring continuity and local insight remain at the heart of the business.

Ray White South Australia CEO Matt Lindblom praised the move as a smart, forward-thinking play.

“Mark has run a fantastic business over the past five and a half years, and his ongoing involvement in sales will be invaluable,” Mr Lindblom said.

“Darren, Jamie and Connor are among the most dedicated operators in our network.

Bringing their energy and ambition to Clare Valley is a huge win for the region. I’m looking forward to seeing what they accomplish together over the next 12 months and beyond.”

The consolidation of these two prestige regional offices sends a clear message:

Ray White is betting big on strategic alignment, strong leadership, and long-term local commitment.