#Seppeltsfield #Barossa Valley

Seppeltsfield Winery in the Barossa Valley is iconic. Founded in 1851 by Joseph Seppelt, it has historically been known for its fortified wines but in recent years has become noted for its table wines, beers and even raspberry cordial.

Joseph immigrated to South Australia from Silesia in 1849, as part of a wave of Germans escaping religious persecution.

Over 100 hectares are planted out to shiraz, grenache, touriga
and palomino grapes.

During the depression in the 1930s, rather than putting off workers, 

Joseph's son Oscar Benno organised for them to plant over 2,000 

date palms along the roads surrounding their vineyards.

Oscar Benno Seppelt built this mausoleum where he and 28 of
his descendants now lie.

Seppeltsfield is like a small town with offices, homesteads, workers cottages, stables, dining hall, laboratory, vinegar factory, distillery, cooperage, garages, workshops and bond stores.

The winery was bought from Foster's in 2007 by Warren Randall and a small body of private investors.  They have spent over $2 million bringing the beautiful old buildings and the winery into the 21st century.  In addition to the winery business, it is now home to a restaurant called Fino's and the Jam Factory Art Gallery (see future posts).

That beautiful South Australian bluestone again!

In the 19th Century, Seppeltsfield was the largest and most modern winery in the world (Seppeltsfield website). The winery was built on a hillside in order to use gravity as an integral part of the wine making process.

Seppeltsfield's claims it is the only winery in the world to release a 100 year old single vintage wine each year and its Centennial Collection boasts an unbroken lineage of tawny vintage from 1878 to the current year.

Seppeltsfield is beautiful.