A showcase of Barossa wine and Australian cuisine
As part of this year’s Tasting Australia program, Seppeltsfield was proud to partner with the festival across a dynamic week of wine, food, storytelling and immersive guest experiences, helping bring the spirit of South Australia’s wine country into the heart of Adelaide and beyond.
Together, the partnership celebrated the depth and diversity of South Australia’s culinary and tourism offering, connecting festival audiences with the Barossa through curated events, collaborative dining experiences and contemporary wine experiences grounded in history, provenance and place. From vibrant activations in Town Square through to intimate moments within the Estate’s historic Centennial Cellar, the program reflected the shared commitment of Tasting Australia and Seppeltsfield to showcasing world-class hospitality, regional storytelling and unforgettable visitor experiences.
Across the week, guests were invited to experience a contemporary expression of the Barossa, one that honoured heritage while embracing innovation, craftsmanship and connection. The partnership highlighted the unique role wine tourism continues to play in South Australia’s cultural landscape, while reinforcing Tasting Australia’s position as one of the nation’s leading celebrations of food, wine and travel.
Bringing Seppeltsfield to the Heart of Adelaide
Throughout the festival, the Tasting Australia Town Square precinct became a vibrant meeting place for food and wine enthusiasts, with the Seppeltsfield Bar welcoming thousands of guests across the ten-day celebration.
Positioned in the heart of Adelaide, the Seppeltsfield Bar offered a curated selection of Barossa wines alongside premium cocktails, spirits and thoughtful non-alcoholic options, all within a relaxed festival setting. This year, the experience was elevated with a bespoke cheese and wine pairing by Adelaide’s celebrated Smelly Cheese Co., whose expertly matured and thoughtfully selected cheeses brought depth, texture and a distinctly local flavour to each tasting.
The activation reflected Seppeltsfield’s evolving tourism and hospitality vision, combining historic winemaking traditions with contemporary wine experiences for a new generation of wine enthusiasts.
A Showcase of Luxury Rail and Wine Tourism
A standout collaboration of the festival was “Journey Beyond x Seppeltsfield: A Taste of the Indian Pacific Platinum Off Train Experience”, presented in partnership with Journey Beyond.
Held within the Journey Beyond Lounge in Victoria Square, the immersive event transported guests into the world of the iconic Indian Pacific Platinum experience — typically hosted at the Seppeltsfield Estate in the Barossa Valley.
Guests were welcomed with Champagne Bollinger before enjoying a live cooperage demonstration by Seppeltsfield cooper Andrew Young, alongside a curated canapé and wine pairing experience led by Seppeltsfield’s winemaking and culinary teams. The evening culminated with a tasting of the acclaimed 1926 ‘100 Year Old’ Para Vintage Tawny drawn from the Estate’s world-renowned Centennial Cellar.
The collaboration highlighted the growing connection between luxury rail travel, regional tourism and premium South Australian food and wine experiences.
A Historic Long Lunch Inside the Centennial Cellar
Among the most anticipated events of the festival was “A Taste of Time with Seppeltsfield x FINO Restaurant”, a once-in-a-generation dining experience hosted inside the historic Centennial Cellar.
Presented in partnership with FINO Seppeltsfield, the event marked a significant moment in the Estate’s 175th anniversary year, with the Centennial Cellar opened for a seated long lunch experience for the very first time.
Hosted by Seppeltsfield Chief Winemaker Fiona Donald and FINO Co-Founder Sharon Romeo, guests enjoyed a five-course menu thoughtfully paired with Seppeltsfield wines, culminating in a tasting of the rare 1926 100 Year Old Para Vintage Tawny drawn directly from barrel.
The event celebrated not only the passage of time and the craftsmanship behind Seppeltsfield’s fortified collection, but also the collaborative spirit that defines South Australia’s food and wine industry.
Recognising Fiona Donald as a Tasting Australia Festival Star
A significant highlight of the festival was the recognition of Seppeltsfield Chief Winemaker Fiona Donald as an official Festival Star for 2026.
With more than 30 years of experience in the Australian wine industry, Fiona is widely respected for her contribution to Barossa winemaking and her leadership in shaping Seppeltsfield’s contemporary wine direction. Since joining the Estate in 2009, Fiona has played a pivotal role in strengthening Seppeltsfield’s luxury still wine collection while continuing the stewardship of the Estate’s internationally renowned fortified wines.
A graduate of Roseworthy Agricultural College with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Oenology, Fiona was awarded both the KT Hardy Memorial Scholarship for Performance and the Silver Medal for Second Aggregate at graduation. Her previous winemaking experience includes roles with Thomas Hardy & Sons, Barossa Valley Estate, Penfolds and Hardy’s Wines.
As part of her Festival Star program, Fiona participated in several feature events including “Matchmakers: Grenache”, “The Global Cellar” and “Masterclass: Seppeltsfield Grounds Collection Single Vineyard Shiraz”, where guests explored the four compass points of Barossa Shiraz as Seppeltsfield’s winemaking team unveiled the 2024 Grounds Collection for the very first time, six months ahead of release.
Her involvement throughout the festival reflected both Seppeltsfield’s commitment to winemaking excellence and the broader strength of South Australia’s wine industry on the national stage.
Thank You to Tasting Australia and Our Partners
Seppeltsfield sincerely thanks the organisers of Tasting Australia, alongside all collaborators, chefs, producers, tourism partners and attendees who supported this year’s program.
The festival once again demonstrated the power of South Australian collaboration, bringing together world-class food, wine, tourism and culture to create experiences that resonate far beyond the festival itself.
As Seppeltsfield continues its 175th anniversary celebrations throughout 2026, the Estate looks forward to building on these partnerships and continuing to share the stories, wines and experiences that define one of Australia’s most iconic wine destinations.
Tasting Australia 2026 Collection: Now Available
Tasting Australia lives on with Seppeltsfield’s curated collection of festival favourites delivered directly to your door.
A tribute to the flavours, moments and memories shared throughout Tasting Australia 2026, these six bottles capture the diversity, craftsmanship and regional excellence that defined this year’s festival — bringing together contemporary Barossa expressions alongside Seppeltsfield’s iconic fortified style.
RRP $195: this includes complimentary shipment, Australia-wide.
