Seppeltsfield is internationally renowned for its fortified wines, highlighted by the Centennial Collection – the world’s only unbroken lineage of single vintage Tawny dating back to 1878.
However, since gaining full ownership of its trademark in 2017, Seppeltsfield has been moving towards this new chapter: expanding its range of still wines.
Today, Seppeltsfield celebrate the unveiling of their annual luxury collection of wines, with the launch of a special 170th Anniversary release from the Barossa estate’s icon vineyard – 2020 Great Terraced Vineyard Barossa Grenache. The release aligns with the winery’s strategy towards premiumisation and expanding its distribution reach globally.
The Great Terraced Vineyard consists of bush vine Grenache and was originally planted in 1855 and re-planted in contoured rows to follow the natural shape of the land, commencing in 1958.
Original cuttings were vigorously selected to ensure the highest possible quality. The wine was fermented in the historic 1888 Gravity Cellar, gently extracting colour and tannin, resulting in a pure and fine translation of the Great Terraced Vineyard.
Fiona Donald, Chief Winemaker, said “At Seppeltsfield, our collection of wines reflect 170 years of history in the Barossa, but also our future endeavours. Our ambition is to match our reputation for fortified wines with that of our luxury still wine collection. Our special 170th Anniversary release, the 2020 Great Terraced Vineyard Barossa Grenache, creates a moment that will be remembered for years to come. Sourced from our iconic Great Terraced Vineyard on the Estate, which has historically been used for the production of fortified wines, this contemporary still wine is a pure and fine translation of the vineyard. It’s a truly exciting new chapter in the Estates’ journey”.
Celebrating her 12th vintage at Seppeltsfield, Ms Donald joined the winemaking team in 2009 and has been central to the resurrection of the 1888 Gravity Cellar. She is the custodian of the Centennial Cellar and responsible for the super-premium and luxury table and fortified wines. She works alongside Warren Randall (Executive Chairman and Proprietor), Charlie Seppelt (Senior Winemaker), Matthew Pick (Senior Winemaker), Henry Slattery (Winemaker) and Kingsley Fuller (Group Viticulturist).
Mr Slattery is the latest member of the winemaking team, a former AFL player for Essendon and joining the team with over six years winemaking experience in the Barossa, having completed both an Undergraduate degree in Agricultural science at the University of Melbourne and Masters in Oenology at the University of Adelaide.
Seppeltsfield started making table wines back in the 1960s. However, through various changes of ownership, it is only now, under the leadership of Warren Randall, and since having the trademark back in 2017, that the new range was released in March 2018.
Seppeltsfield have also released the follow up vintages to the ‘Grounds’ range – single vineyard Barossa Shiraz expressions. Seppeltsfield’s 2019 vintage bottlings include the first release of ‘The Northing’ Barossa Shiraz, sourced from a single vineyard from the Marananga parish of the Northern Grounds, ‘The Easting’ Barossa Shiraz, sourced from the Garden of Eden Vineyard in Eden Valley, as well as the ‘The Westing’ Barossa Shiraz, from V Block in the Western Barossa Grounds. Expect to see wines released from all four points of the compass in future vintages.
Seppeltsfield’s ‘Bench Blends’ new vintages are also available. The ‘Bench Blends’ range is centred on the winemaking art of ‘assemblage’, with the ambition to achieve a final blend that is greater than the sums of its varietal parts.
The Seppeltsfield luxury collection of wines is available at the Seppeltsfield Cellar Door in the Barossa or via Seppeltsfield.com.au and can be found only in fine wine retailers and on premise nationally.
Photography with thanks to Meaghan Coles & Dragan Radocaj
