Seppeltsfield (a series of 16 views of this huge winery estate)
Seppeltsfield, one of Australia's oldest winerieswas founded in 1851 by Joseph Ernst Seppelt. The Seppeltsfield winery is well known for its signature wine, the 100-year-old Para Tawny.
Joseph Ernest Seppelt, a merchant who sold such commodities as tobacco, snuff and liqueurs, emigrated with his family from Prussia (now Poland) to Australia in 1849 to break free from political and economic unrest.[1][6] He was intent on growing and selling tobacco. In 1850, he and his family settled in Klemzig. After discovering that the land was not suited for such purpose, he and his family decided to settle in the Barossa Valley in 1851.[7]
In 1851, Seppelt purchased 158 acres (64 ha) of land for about £1 an acre which he called Seppeltsfield. He soon discovered that, as was the case in Klemzig, the land in the Barossa Valley was not suited for growing economically useful tobacco.[8][9] However, the Seppelts did have success growing wheat on their land and, due to the gold rushes of the 1850s, were able to sell it for high prices due to high demand at the time. With his knowledge of liqueurs gained from his days as a merchant, Seppelt saw there was potential for wine production on his land. Soon thereafter, the Seppelts planted vines that flourished leading to a contribution to the Wines and Spirits category at the Melbourne Intercolonial Exhibition in 1866. [10] By 1867, Joseph had begun construction of a full-scale winery, and by 1878, the port store cellar was completed.[6] In 2006, the cellar held about 9 million litres of fortified wine.[11]
Joseph Seppelt did not live to see the completion of his winery, as he died in early 1868. His eldest son, Oscar Benno Pedro,[2] then 21, inherited a 55% majority of the winery. Benno’s younger siblings, Victor and Ottilie, inherited 30% and 15% of the winery respectively. Benno later bought out his younger siblings and gained complete control of the winery.
Benno's oversight helped earn the winery a reputation for quality wines. At the turn of the century, the Seppelt Winery was Australia's largest winery, producing 2 million litres annually.[6] The winery's reputation lead to statements like: "Seppeltsfield is undoubtedly the iconic winery of the Barossa.
Benno and his wife had a total of 16 children. In 1902, Benno set up "B Seppelt & Sons Ltd", and on his retirement in 1916, their eldest surviving son, Oscar (Oscar Benno Seppelt,[3]) became Managing Director. After Benno's death in 1931, many of their children took interests in the company.[16]
The company (and winery) remained in the Seppelt family until 1984. (excerpt from Wikepedia)
Seppeltsfield (a series of 16 views of this huge winery estate)
Seppeltsfield, one of Australia's oldest winerieswas founded in 1851 by Joseph Ernst Seppelt. The Seppeltsfield winery is well known for its signature wine, the 100-year-old Para Tawny.
Joseph Ernest Seppelt, a merchant who sold such commodities as tobacco, snuff and liqueurs, emigrated with his family from Prussia (now Poland) to Australia in 1849 to break free from political and economic unrest.[1][6] He was intent on growing and selling tobacco. In 1850, he and his family settled in Klemzig. After discovering that the land was not suited for such purpose, he and his family decided to settle in the Barossa Valley in 1851.[7]
In 1851, Seppelt purchased 158 acres (64 ha) of land for about £1 an acre which he called Seppeltsfield. He soon discovered that, as was the case in Klemzig, the land in the Barossa Valley was not suited for growing economically useful tobacco.[8][9] However, the Seppelts did have success growing wheat on their land and, due to the gold rushes of the 1850s, were able to sell it for high prices due to high demand at the time. With his knowledge of liqueurs gained from his days as a merchant, Seppelt saw there was potential for wine production on his land. Soon thereafter, the Seppelts planted vines that flourished leading to a contribution to the Wines and Spirits category at the Melbourne Intercolonial Exhibition in 1866. [10] By 1867, Joseph had begun construction of a full-scale winery, and by 1878, the port store cellar was completed.[6] In 2006, the cellar held about 9 million litres of fortified wine.[11]
Joseph Seppelt did not live to see the completion of his winery, as he died in early 1868. His eldest son, Oscar Benno Pedro,[2] then 21, inherited a 55% majority of the winery. Benno’s younger siblings, Victor and Ottilie, inherited 30% and 15% of the winery respectively. Benno later bought out his younger siblings and gained complete control of the winery.
Benno's oversight helped earn the winery a reputation for quality wines. At the turn of the century, the Seppelt Winery was Australia's largest winery, producing 2 million litres annually.[6] The winery's reputation lead to statements like: "Seppeltsfield is undoubtedly the iconic winery of the Barossa.
Benno and his wife had a total of 16 children. In 1902, Benno set up "B Seppelt & Sons Ltd", and on his retirement in 1916, their eldest surviving son, Oscar (Oscar Benno Seppelt,[3]) became Managing Director. After Benno's death in 1931, many of their children took interests in the company.[16]
The company (and winery) remained in the Seppelt family until 1984. (excerpt from Wikepedia)