Our ‘Grounds’ releases are a study of the Barossa’s regional hero – Shiraz. Grown on single vineyard sites across the patchwork of the Barossa, our releases look to express the differences in locale of where our fruit is farmed.
As our interpretation of Barossa ‘terroir’, our Grounds releases look to apply a beguiling simplicity for what in European terms is often complicated and complex idea of the relationship between geography, geology, climate and history.
The Seppeltsfield single vineyard ‘Grounds’ Shiraz expressions take inspiration from a comprehensive study of the Barossa’s sub-regionality. The collaborative project – led by the Barossa Grape & Wine Association – brings together winemakers (including Seppeltsfield’s Fiona Donald), grapegrowers and soil and climatic science experts, to evaluate and identify the variations in Shiraz wine expression across the various parishes of the region.
Through controlled winemaking studies and regular tastings, clear distinction across N/E/S/W compass points of the Barossa has been found. The Grounds study emphasises the diversity of expression possible with Barossa Shiraz, and how we are constantly learning of the significance ‘place’ that can influence it.
Our terminology, ‘Northing’, ‘Easting’, ‘Southing’ and ‘Westing’, is inspired by the art and science of cartography (map-making), referring to a deviation to, or distance covered in the respective direction.
Seppeltsfield Great Terraced Vineyard Barossa Grenache wine is a pure and fine translation of the Great Terraced Vineyard. The Great Terraced Vineyard consists of bush vine Grenache located on the Estate hillside, outcrop of ironstone, quartz and slate soil.
The vineyard was planted in 1855 and re-planted in contoured rows, to follow the natural shape of the land, which commenced in 1958, with original cuttings vigorously selected to ensure the highest quality. The vineyard is hand pruned and hand-picked, spanning over 250 acres.
This Single Vineyard Barossa Grenache is fermented in the historic 1888 Gravity Cellar, gently extracting colour and tannin. It is matured in well-seasoned French Oak Foudre’s and puncheons for up to 9 months.
The 2023 season presented a unique opportunity – in terms of Riesling across Barossa in particular Eden Valley along with the Clare Valley. Given the 2023 vintage was 4 weeks later than the ‘new normal’ of the past 20 years, similar to, but even later than 2002. La Nina conditions meant the Barossa’s rainfall was one of the wettest on record, resulting in a growing season that saw average soil moisture and strong budburst. The rain meant we saw run-off into most Eden Valley dams, for the first time in many years.
During the harvest period, the winemaking team identified several stellar, Single Vineyard blocks of Riesling, that we could not walk past. Given the diversity of the grape variety and opportunity to showcase a range of Riesling that is a true representative of both region and style.
Hence the decision was to produce Riesling from Australia’s top producing regions, including from our own Watervale and Eden Valley vineyards. The wines are of style and elegance, with hallmark intense aromatics, finesse and great natural acidity. 2023 was an exceptional vintage for Riesling, the best we have seen in the last 20 years.
Warren Randall, Executive Chairman & Proprietor of Seppeltsfield, made the journey to Argentina in 2019 to visit the Top 10 Vineyards in the world. On this visit, there was an opportunity to connect with another powerhouse brand, Huarpe Wines in the Uco Valley, Argentina, and to produce two unique wines from Gualtallary, located in the Andes Mountains, 1500 metres above sea level. The climate is dry and the hand-picked and hand pruned vines are water fed from the Andes with minimal irrigation.
The wines are both from the 2018 vintage, with Warren selecting the barrels of wine to use for a new collaboration. The wine simply exceeded Warren’s high standards and expectations borne from years of luxury winemaking experience at Seppeltsfield. The wines form the new ‘Special Bottlings’ tier in the Seppeltsfield range.
