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. 

Luxury hotel unveiled for the Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is to get a 12-storey luxury hotel and day spa that should significantly boost tourism to the region.



The hotel, Oscar Seppeltsfield, will be completed by 2022 and will be situated at the historic Seppeltsfield site. No operator has yet been named. 

The $50 million six-star luxury hotel project will have about 70 rooms, including suites and penthouses, with a private balcony for every room.

Artist’s impressions of the building set in the vineyards near the Seppeltsfield winery reveal an ultra-modern design to rival McLaren Vale’s d’Arenberg Cube.

The hotel will be on land owned by Seppeltsfield Wines and leased to Luxury Hotels Australia for 99 years.

Seppeltsfield's ambitious owner Warren Randall said he wanted to create a national icon for South Australia.

“A Sydney Opera House for the Barossa,” he said. "Oscar will complete the grand vision of our tourism master plan for Seppeltsfield to become the most desirable epicurean destination for tourists worldwide.

“The hotel will be positioned gently in the middle of the Great Terraced Vineyard, surrounded by century-old bush vines, an amazingly tranquil location and a short walking distance to the world-class Seppeltsfield tourism village."

The Seppeltsfield precinct is already one of the Barossa’s leading tourist destinations and includes the Seppeltsfield Cellar Door and Centennial Cellar, 1888 Gravity Cellar, Fino Restaurant, a design studio, cooperage and artisan knife maker.

“The addition of this luxury hotel will elevate Seppeltsfield to one of the top five vineyards in the world, in turn lifting Australia’s international wine reputation,” the ever-ebullient Randall said.

Plans for the hotel were expected to be lodged with Light Regional Council today. Construction is expected to begin in early 2021 with the building completed about 12 months later.

South Australia is responsible for about 50% of Australia’s annual production and 80% of its premium wine.

The Barossa Valley is Australia’s most famous wine producing region and is also home to iconic brands Penfolds, Wolf Blass and Jacob’s Creek.Oscar Seppeltsfield will also feature a sky bar on the top level with 360-degree sweeping views of the Barossa. The ground floor will have a wellness day spa including a private entry to a relaxation space and infinity pool. The hotel will also offer a restaurant, private dining room and boardroom.

Project spokesman Toby Yap said Luxury Hotels Australia was made up of a dynamic group of South Australian business leaders.

“The Barossa is famous for its wine, food, and spectacular sights, but what it needs is an iconic luxury hotel to cater to local and international guests that visit the region,” he said.

“We are thrilled to be bringing this landmark project to one of the greatest wine regions in the world.

“With over 897,000-day trips to the Barossa in 2019, Oscar Seppeltsfield will be a place where people can stay longer, immerse, indulge and relax.”

Head Architect of Intro Architecture Terry Boxall designed the hotel, taking inspiration from the history of Seppeltsfield winery and the wine barrels in the Centennial Cellar.

The hotel is named in honour of the innovative visionary Oscar Benno Seppelt, who took over the Seppeltsfield winery from his founding father Joseph in 1868 and went on to revolutionise the Australian wine industry.