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.”

Big names combine on a drink with a difference

Two of the star names of the Australian drinks industry have combined to create a special limited edition whisky. 

Tasmania's Lark Distilling Co. has paired with Seppeltsfield winery in the Barossa to craft the Tokay 100 Rare Cask release, which will cost $1000 a bottle. 

The new release is part of Lark's Rare Cask Series, and is believed to be the only Tokay Rare Cask release of its kind. 

Only 934 bottles have been made. 

Chris Thomson, head distiller at Lark in Hobart, says: “The release of this rare drop is a milestone for Lark and [will be] a coveted offering for whisky enthusiasts. 

"We approached this series with the promise of creating something unique and unforgettable - the ultimate collectors item. 

"Our relationship with Seppeltsfield Winery has opened the door to some of the rarest fortified wine in the world., and we discovered and sniffed out these tokay casks from Seppeltsfield’s treasure trove of museum fortifieds in the Barossa. 

"They have nurtured and matured Seppeltsfield’s fortified sweet muscadelle, resulting in an intense and powerful whisky infusion.” 

The whisky has been finished in barrels that until recently have held a blend of museum tokay, containing a  parcel from the 1922 vintage.  Lark then married the whisky with two other barrels. 

Fiona Donald, chief winemaker at Seppeltsfield, said: “We are thrilled to continue to work closely with the team at Lark to develop this one-of-a-kind whisky."

See www.larkdistillery.com 

So you would like to taste a 100-year-old wine?

 

Seppeltsfield, one of the most famous names in the Australian wine industry, is today celebrating the unveiling of the new release of one of Australia’s most significant wines: the 1922 100-Year-Old Para Vintage Tawny.

Seppeltsfield was established in the Barossa in 1851 by the Seppelt family and is one of the oldest wineries in Australia.

The new release coincides with the Seppelt family having moved into the homestead on February 20, 1851.

This will be the 45th consecutive 100-Year-Old Para Vintage Tawny to be released from the 1878 Centennial Cellar – and cellar door visited are invited to sample the historic fortified; for a price. 

Chief winemaker Fiona Donald describes the 1922 100-Year-Old Para Vintage Tawny as having "great intensity harnessed by citrusy acid and notes of sun dried stone fruit – nutty, spicy, with terrific length. A more savoury expression with focused lift and intensity of spicy walnut liqueur – woody, toasty, some herbal notes, too”.

The 1922 100-Year-Old Para Vintage Tawny has limited availability in a 100ml format - hand filled to order, individually numbered and authenticated for collection purposes. It is presented in a Jarrah timber gift box with a certificate that can be personalised.

Available from Seppeltsfield cellar door or via Seppeltsfield.com.au with shipping possible worldwide.

The special fortified wine can also be tasted at the Seppeltsfield cellar door. 

The 100ml package costs $1,500, while a 10ml tasting at cellar door costs $90.