Barossa to get a luxury international hotel

The Barossa - Australia's most famous wine region - is get a new luxury international hotel.

IHG Hotels & Resorts and Adelaide-based Strategic Alliance have announced a partnership to bring the InterContinental Barossa Resort & Spa to the region.

Scheduled to open in 2028 (subject to planning approval), it will be the first luxury branded hotel in a South Australian wine region. 

The 150-room property on a 21-hectare site on a hillside outside Lyndoch "will be an oasis of elegance and sophistication" set amidst the rolling hills and lush vineyards of the famed Barossa. 

Each room will have local views and some with balconies overlooking vineyards. 

“We are exceptionally excited to bring our iconic InterContinental brand to the Barossa, and would like to thank the Strategic Alliance team for partnering with us to invest in the future of South Australian tourism," said Matt Tripolone, IHG Hotels & Resorts Managing Director, Australasia & Pacific. 

"For the first time, the Barossa will boast a globally branded luxury hotel that will serve as an indelible beacon for guests seeking an unparalleled level of luxury and sophistication. 

"Underpinned by stunning architecture and complemented by one of the world's most recognised brands, InterContinental Barossa Resort & Spa will be the perfect destination for wine lovers, gastronomes, and luxury escapists.”

OK Matt. You are clearly excited.

 

David Cook, director of Strategic Alliance, said: “We are very pleased to be partnering with the iconic InterContinental brand and thank them for their shared vision in our Barossa project.

"We look forward to our continued positive engagement with IHG and the Barossa, as our team works closely with them in unlocking this opportunity and bringing this project to fruition.”

When complete, the InterContinental Barossa Resort & Spa (render, above) will feature a selection of dining options, including a 130-seat signature restaurant. 

Other resort amenities will include a pool, a day spa and a fitness centre. 

Seppeltsfield swoops to buy established Barossa vineyard

Seppeltsfield owner Warren Randall has swooped to buy an established Barossa vineyard from struggling Australian Vintage Ltd. 

Seppeltsfield announced today that it had acquired a 230-acre vineyard in Lyndoch was previously part of the original Chateau Yaldara property, developed by Hermann Thumm in 1946.

The move comes as Randall eyes increased sales to the Chinese market. 

Seppeltsfield was established in 1851 and is one of the most iconic wineries in Australia.

The historic property is owned by The Randall Wine Group, established in 1978, and led by executive chairman Warren Randall.

The Randall Wine Group is Australia’s largest private premium vineyard holder with 9230 acres along with an expanding portfolio of luxury wine brands, including Penny’s Hill and Gemtree Organic Wines in McLaren Vale.

The vineyard is planted to mature shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, mataro and grenache and the entire crop with be crushed at Seppeltsfield from 2025.

Since Chinese tariffs were removed from bottled Australian wines on March 28, exports have skyrocketed. 

Seppeltsfield’s strategic purchase of the AVL Lyndoch vineyard is to specifically feed the newly created demand for luxury Australian wine to China, the company said in a statement.

“The AVL Lyndoch vineyard acquisition is a strong addition to our already dominant position in the Barossa Valley landscape,” Randall said.

“China’s demand for luxury Australian wines prior to the tariffs was very strong and the Lyndoch Barossa Valley vineyard acquisition offered Seppeltsfield an opportunity to fortify our supply volumes of luxury wines for a thirsty market.

“Our vineyard holdings in the Barossa Valley now exceed 4,000 acres, growing 10,000 tonnes, producing nearly 10 million bottles of luxury Barossa Valley wine every year.”