Warren Randall, owner of Seppeltsfield, must have some of the Seppelt family DNA in his blood. Joseph Seppelt was only 20 when he inherited the family’s cigar and liquor business in Silesia, and with wife Johanna, three children and 13 neighbouring families, set forth to South Australia in 1849. In 1852 he purchased 64ha in the Hundred of Nooriootpa, planted more vines, and made his first vintage in Johanna’s laundry.
The business soon became profitable, but drained Joseph of energy, and he handed the keys to 21yo Benno Seppelt, saying as he did so ‘Make of this what you will’. Benno was only 21, and as well as fathering nine sons and four daughters, made Seppeltsfield one of South Australia’s pre-eminent wineries. In 1878 He directed that the best (fortified) wine should be lain down for 100 years before it was bottled for sale. Thus Seppeltsfield Para Liqueur was born, and to this day (and hereafter) every vintage will be celebrated as it reaches its 100th birthday.
The Seppeltsfield of today exists because the quite brilliant, but publicity shy, Warren Randall has succeeded where all others have failed since Seppeltsfield’s IPO (Initial Public Offer) in 1985. One of many initiatives was to recommission the 1888 Gravity Flow fermentation cellar that had lain idle for 30 years, despite covenants imposed by TWE as part of the agreement preventing sales of Seppeltsfield table wines other than through the cellar door until 2016. Freed of the restriction, Randall’s vision is to establish a reputation for table (still and sparkling) wines as exalted as that for its fortifieds.
Building the Seppeltsfield table wine brand began with the 2018 vintage, first marketed in 2020, with shirazs labelled ‘The Westing Single Vineyard Shiraz’ and ‘The Easting Single Vineyard Shiraz.’ Since then ‘The Northing’ and ‘The Southing’ across vintages 2019 and 2020 have been released. These geographic pointers build on research work by the then Barossa Grape and Wine Tourism Authority. The common denominator is ultra-premium shiraz from Randall’s far flung vineyard empire. And there’s more to come.
2021 Seppeltsfield No. EC3 Barossa Tinta Cao Tinta Amarela Touriga
40% each of tinta cao and tinta amarela, co-fermented, and 20% touriga. The vibrant, striking crimson-purple hue introduces a wine I drank with dinner on the day it was tasted. The bouquet is intensely floral, with rosehips, cherry blossom and eastern spices, the palate gloriously juicy yet with a mouth-watering, savoury spine.
96 points, drink to 2030, 13.5% alc, Screwcap, $50
2020 Seppeltsfield The Southing Barossa Shiraz
Fermented in the 1888 gravity cellar, matured for 14 months in new and used French hogsheads. Deep, bright crimson through to the rim. Evocative bouquet of spiced plum and cedar aromas, then a full-bodied palate that dares to have elegance and balance.
96 points, drink to 2045, 15.1% alc, Screwcap, $85
2021 Seppeltsfield Great Terraced Vineyard Barossa Grenache
Hand-picked, 80% crushed, 20% whole bunches, matured in old oak (2600l vats) for 9 months. The bright clear hue sets the tone for a wine of absolute purity, both of place and variety. Raspberry leads, studded with spices and a dusting of white pepper.
95 points, drink to 2037, 14.5% alc, Screwcap, $85
