Wine&Restaurants036

Issue N.36
May/June 2021
Price:
GBP: 5.00
USD: 5.00
EU: 5.00
VND: 110.000

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CONTENTS
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CONTENTS
► Wine & Spirit reviews - 19
► Wine personality: Louisa Rose -
23
► Alfredo de la Casa:
Introduction to Barossa - 37
► About - 84
WINERY REVIEWS
► Yalumba- 7
► Chateau Tanunda - 25
► Grant Burge - 51
► Satran - 63
► Sepelt -75
Published by Green Talent Ltd in London, UK. © Green Talent Ltd 2006-2021.
Green Talent Ltd registered in England 05905795
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WINERY REVIEW: YALUMBA
The Yalumba story started with Samuel Smith
venturing across the seas from England to a
small town called Angaston in South Australia.
He founded Yalumba in 1849, planting the first
vine under moonlight with his son, Sidney.
His bold, pioneering spirit has passed through
the generations, influencing each of Yalumba’s
proprietors throughout the years; Sidney Smith,
Walter Smith, and Wyndham Hill-Smith, all the
way through to our fifth generations proprietor
today, Robert Hill-Smith.
Robert led Yalumba into the modern era by
cementing our reputation as an internationallyfocused
and innovative business within the
Australian wine industry.
He pioneered Viognier in Australia, established
Australia’s First Families of Wine and launched
Yalumba’s most prestigious wine — The Caley
Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz, honouring his
great uncle Fred Caley Smith.
Robert’s family carries on the legacy set in
place by Samuel Smith, continuing to
experiment and showcase the best the Barossa
has to offer.
During her 20-year career at Yalumba, Louisa
Rose has become one of the world’s most
respected winemakers.
Lou is passionate about creating great
Australian wine. She has forged an identity for
Australian Viognier, winning multiple awards in
the process, and challenges perceptions of
Barossa Shiraz, all while leading her viticultural
and vinicultural teams to ever greater heights.
Lou wears many hats at Yalumba; award
winner, wine judge, board member, natural
leader.
She is an inspiring figure in Australia’s wine
industry and a proud ambassador for Yalumba’s
own brand of progressive winemaking.
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She is the custodian of both Yalumba traditions
and innovation at the winery.
It’s a big task but one she has been preparing
for since her first vintage at Yalumba in 1992.
Her gifts as a taster and winemaker have been
on display ever since.
Kevin Glastonbury or ‘KG’ to us, knows the
Barossa like the back of his hand.
With a winemaking career that started as soon
as he finished school, KG had several years of
hard work, experimentation and innovation
behind him by the time he joined Yalumba in
1999. A hands-on, get dirty approach has been
his key to success as a winemaker.
His knowledge of the Barossa helps him
understand the environment and innovate as
Senior Red Winemaker for Yalumba.
KG also looks after the sourcing and
purchasing of oak for the crafting of barrels — a
proud tradition at our on-site cooperage.
KG’s blend of passion and expertise has been
recognised with numerous accolades, such as
becoming a Len Evan tutorial scholar,
respected wine judge, and Winestate
‘Winemaker of the Year’.
A passion for premium handcrafted red wines
has seen Natalie develop a sense of patience
and faith in the ability of great fruit to become
outstanding wine.
Natalie’s experience in wine production and a
love of the noble grape varieties, like Cabernet
Sauvignon and Barossa Grenache, has seen
her develop a great faith in a hands-off
approach to winemaking.
Initially employed in our on-site laboratory,
Natalie gained a Bachelor of Science-
Winemaking through Charles Sturt University.
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Vintage 2017 saw her increase her influence
over our most iconic wines as she became
responsible for making our finest wines from the
Coonawarra — Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet
Sauvignon and The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon.
An avid lover of food, Sam has been an integral
part of Yalumba’s exploration into new and
emerging food friendly varieties such as
Vermentino, Tempranillo, Verdejo and
Garganega.
Yalumba operates the Southern Hemisphere’s
only fully operational Cooperage, crafting
bespoke oak barrels that elevate the wines
aged within them.
Their Nursery is a global leader in wine
innovation, growing, evaluating and supplying
quality grape vines to the Australian wine
industry.
Having grown up in the Barossa, it was
inevitable that Sam would become part of the
wine industry as soon as school was out.
With two vintages under his belt, Sam started at
Yalumba in 2001, and has been a passionate
contributor to the team ever since.
Out of work you’ll find Sam in the kitchen,
pairing pork belly with his own Yalumba
Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mataro.
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Secreto de Viu Manent, 2019, Colchagua, Chile
Viu Manent is a Chilean winery owned by the
Viu family. It was founded in 1935 when the
Catalonian immigrant Miguel Viu-García and his
two sons Agustín and Miguel Viu-Manent
founded Bodegas Viu in Santiago de Chile.
They bottled and sold wine on the local market
under the “Vinos Viu” brand.
This Cabernet Sauvignon is mid priced, and an
example that Chile can make decent wines
while keeping good prices.
Fresh, elegant and easy to drink, rather
aromatic, my guess is that some Camernere is
added. Lots of red fruit in both nose and palate,
with touches of complexity.
Pair it with red meats, sausages and ideal for
bbq
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Ammonite 1889, 2016, Mendoza, Argentina
We don’t really know who makes this wine, as
only tax number fo the company bottling and
distributing appears.
This gran reserva, is a blend of cabernec franc,
cabernet sauvignon and Malbec.
If you are looking for a traditional Argentinian
stallion, forget it, as this wine has been made
aiming to create a wine with Bordeaux style,
and as that it is very nice, smooth, alegant and
long lasting.
Pasta, pizza, pork go great with this wine
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Nonni Malbec 2019, Uco Valley, Argentina
Pedro Angulo & Angel Innocenti were vineyard
growers in their native Europe – Pedro in the
Basque country and Angel in Tuscany.
They immigrated to Argentina in the late 19th
century and through hard work and
perseverance found great success in their
commercial activities.
Today the Angulo & Innocenti family has
rekindled their immigrant winemaking roots.
Alejandro Angulo and Mariano Innocenti, 3rd
and 4th generation family members
respectively, have decided to celebrate Pedro &
Angel´s vintner past with the development of a
unique terroir in La Consulta.
This Malbec delivers everything you would
expect from a traditional young Argentinian
Malbec: fruit, more fruit, freshness, a touch of
complexity and above all, elegance.
Pair it with beef, and enjoy!
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WINE PERSONALITY:
Louisa Rose
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WINERY REVIEW:
Chateau Tanunda
Château Tanunda, birthplace of the Barossa,
was established in 1890 and is the site of some
of the Valley’s first vines planted as well as its
first winery.
The majestic bluestone winery and vineyards is
a living testament to the colourful history and
pioneering spirit of Australia’s most famous
wine region.
Now, thanks to the passion and dedication of
the Geber family, this iconic Barossa estate is
celebrated amongst the top wineries in
Australia, as it recognises 130 years of fine
winemaking in 2020.
With the ‘Old Vines Expressions’ and ‘The
Everest’ Wines, Château Tanunda receives
regular international recognition by renowned
wine critics and wine shows for producing some
of the best wines in the world.
The signature 150 Year Old Vines 1858 Field
Blend, 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz as well as
The Everest Old Vine Grenache and The
Everest Shiraz are treasured by wine critics,
wine lovers and wine collectors alike.
130 Years of Winemaking
Château Tanunda’s origins go back to the
decimation of Europe’s vineyards by the
phylloxera plague.
Sensing opportunity, the founder's grand vision
was to build a Château dedicated to crafting
fine quality wines. Château Tanunda would
become for a while the largest winery in the
Southern Hemisphere.
European immigrants had been planting vines
in the Barossa since the 1840s, so the region
was a natural choice. The resulting wines,
made from grapes produced by 560 local
growers (paid a pound per gallon – a
substantial sum at the time), were shipped to a
wine starved Europe.
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Château Tanunda’s success was the Barossa’s
success.
For years it was the heart of Barossa
winemaking.
A veritable “Ivy League” of Australian
winemakers worked or studied at the facility,
including Prof. Soebels, Australia’s first qualified
oenologist; Bill Seppelt; Grant Burge; Geoff
Merrill and others.
In 1994, in recognition of its rich history,
Château Tanunda was placed on the Register
of State Heritage Places – but by then its glory
days were a memory.
Abandoned by its then-owner, Australian wine
giant Southcorp, the property was a shell of its
former grandeur.
“The rebirth of Château Tanunda is one of the
most remarkable stories of the Australian wine
industry.” Huon Hooke
When John Geber chanced upon it in 1998, he
embraced the challenge of restoring this
magnificent property to its iconic status.
Besides a wealth of history and a dilapidated
37,674-foot structure filled with roosting
pigeons, what did Mr Geber get for this pursuit?
Fast-forward two decades and millions of
dollars later, and today Château Tanunda
boasts a world-class winemaking facility, 350
acres of vines, a croquet lawn, a cricket oval
that has hosted over 40 former international
cricketers, and spectacular hospitality spaces
that play host to over 100,000 visitors every
year.
Further gems include a longstanding contract
with over 30 growers who give us access to
further precious Barossa vineyards, many
tended and passed down through their families
over generations.
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For the past two decades, John Geber and his
family have put their heart, soul and business
expertise into breathing new life into this historic
icon of Australian winemaking.
In 2016, John’s daughter Michelle took up the
role of Managing Director, ensuring the family
legacy continues into the next generation.
In 2020, the Château celebrated its 130th
anniversary proudly ranked amongst the top 20
wineries in Australia (Huon Hooke), a Red Five
Star Winery (Halliday) and amongst the top
Chateau in the world (Berlin Wine Trophy Best
Australian Producer 2011-2019).
Their 130 years of winemaking heritage makes
it the only internationally-recognised
winemaking Château in Australia, a champion
of Barossa Old Vine Expressions and is
regularly rated amongst the Château Tanunda,
birthplace of the Barossa, was established in
1890 and is the site of some of the Valley’s first
vines planted as well as its first winery.
The majestic bluestone winery and vineyards is
a living testament to the colourful history and
pioneering spirit of Australia’s most famous
wine region.
Now, thanks to the passion and dedication of
the Geber family, this iconic Barossa estate is
celebrated amongst the top wineries in
Australia, as it recognises 130 years of fine
winemaking in 2020.
With the ‘Old Vines Expressions’ and ‘The
Everest’ Wines, Château Tanunda receives
regular international recognition by renowned
wine critics and wine shows for producing some
of the best wines in the world.
The signature 150 Year Old Vines 1858 Field
Blend, 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz as well as
The Everest Old Vine Grenache and The
Everest Shiraz are treasured by wine critics,
wine lovers and wine collectors alike.
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By ALFREDO DE LA CASA
DISCOVER
BAROSSA
There is a generational connective tissue that
holds together the past, the present and the
future of Barossa. It is the link between the old,
the new and the as yet unrealised.
It is a bloodline – six, and in some places seven
generations, of inherited seasonal knowledge
and experience and folklore. It is a shared point
of origin – Silesian Lutheranism, English
Anglicanism but also the vibrancy of Italy and
Spain and even new world Asia come together
to melt the pot in Barossa.
Barossa has always been a cohesive place, its
pioneers recognising early on that regionality
was mainly about taking a collaborative stance
on the things that were important: protection of
land, consistency of story and family.
Generational co-operation brings unity where
there is fracture, and common purpose where
there is a daunting mix of individual interests.
Classic wine regions are built on the efforts of
generational commitment and among them,
Barossa is a story of persistent family endeavor
as well as corporate investment.

While the Gramps of Orlando, the Seppelts of
Seppeltsfield, the Salters of Saltram and the
Penfolds family succumbed to the cycles of
business and were bought and sold like mere
chattels by investors, their names remain
synonymous with Australian fine wine.
But one multi-generational family winery still
calls Barossa home – Yalumba.
The oldest family owned winery in Australia it
celebrated its 168th anniversary in 2017 with
the launch of the $350/bottle The Caley
Coonawarra Cabernet – Barossa Shiraz
testifying that it remains confidently positive
about the future under the guidance of the Hill-
Smith family.
Tellingly, it is the growers that have weathered
the years better than most family wineries.
The English and Silesian families that first
arrived in the 1840s – Angas, Ahrens, Atze,
Barritt, Boehm, Both, Burge, Burgemeister,
Braunack, Evans, Gerlach, Graetz, Gramp,
Habermann, Hage, Hahn, Haese, Henschke,
Hoffmann, Hueppauff, John, Kies, Keynes,
Kleemann, Koch, Krieg, Lindner, Lehmann,
Liersch, Mader, Milde, Munzberg, Obst, Pech,
Rohrlack, Schulz, Schmidt, Schrapel, Schiller,
Stiller, Schwarz, Semmler and Zerk – continue
to fill the church pews and phone books of the
Barossa six or seven generations later.
But generational change doesn’t come without
constantly re-setting the watch.
Back in December 2008, two hundred members
of the Barossa wine fraternity: winemakers,
wine marketers, grape-growers, viticulturists,
coopers, tank makers and assorted tractor
salesmen all gathered in a shed called Old
Redemption, high on a hill overlooking Peter
Lehmann Wines and the Para River.
Like so many regional gatherings that had gone
before, they were there to debate the region’s
future in the face of the economic ravages of a
fiercely competitive marketplace and structural
imbalances bloated by corporate and private
interest greed during the early 2000s.

Conversation ranged from the emerging wine
consumer opportunity in Asia, to the challenge
of marketing a regional brand that was in
danger of being corrupted.
Without deserting its authentic origins and
inheritance, Barossa knew it had to keep
repositioning itself for a fast-changing and everchallenging
new commercial era.
So the Generations Lunch became a new
Barossa tradition, now held in December prior
to Christmas – the last chance to reflect and
share before another impending vintage.
In an era of increasing cultural and commercial
alertness, modern Australians are more inclined
than ever to search and try to understand the
how, why and where of origin.
In the evocative, indigenous place names of the
region – Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Eudunda and
Kapunda – and among the next generation of
its community, Barossa continues to derive
nourishment from the past that will help to
shape its future.
Complacency is not something Barossa has
ever struggled with. It could have easily rested
on its laurels at points during its 175-year
timeline, contented with its own pre-eminence in
Shiraz and Cabernet, Eden Valley Riesling and
ancient fortifieds.
But like old European regions that continue to
grow and develop, Barossa has never been
satisfied with the status quo – its growers and
winemakers and food producers are always on
a quest for self-improvement and reinvention.
Through the 1990s and early 2000s there was a
renaissance of respect for old varieties:
certainly Shiraz, but also Grenache and Mataro
(Mourvédre) and Semillon.
This rediscovery was a long overdue
acknowledgement that these workhorses of the
fortified era could indeed make fine varietal
table wines of character, richness and length
and they are now a well-established part of the
Barossa wine list.

That rediscovery from within has continued as
growers offer up small patches of old varieties
that were once so worthless that they didn’t
even waste the money to pull them out.
The cows and sheep pruned them and the
weeds grew around their feet until a new
generation of winemakers asked the question.
Now Carignan, Touriga Nacional, Cinsault,
Durif, Marsanne, Petit Verdot, Muscat-à-Petits
Grains – exotic European varieties left over
from an earlier fortified era – make fresh,
textural white wines and medium to full bodied
reds when deftly handled by innovative young
winemakers.
But as well as this rediscovery of the past there
has been the impetuous discovery of the new.
In many cases the drivers of this revolution
have been winemakers, a curious bunch who
work overseas vintages as a rite of passage
and bring that international vigour back home to
their wineries.
So Viognier from the south of France has
emerged as a variety that revels in Barossa’s
warm Mediterranean climate, producing a rich
textural white wine that fits between Riesling
and Chardonnay – or when blended in tiny
quantities provides an aromatic lift and palate
sweetness in Shiraz.
Growers, on the other hand, are driven by more
earthly concerns. Climate change is real to
these men and women of the soil and they
know that for the eight or ninth generation to
continue they will need vines that can grow with
lower winter rainfall and higher summer
temperatures.
Credit: BGWA

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WINERY REVIEW:
GRANT BURGE
Grant Burge Wines was established by a fifthgeneration
Barossa vigneron and winemaker.
Throughout his career, Grant has been one of
the most respected and innovative forces in the
Australian wine industry.
The history of the Burge family and their long
association with winemaking in the region can
be traced back to March 1855, when noted
tailor John Burge immigrated to the Barossa
from Hillcot, near Pewsey in Wiltshire, England
with his wife Eliza and their two sons.
John worked as a winemaker at Hillside
Vineyards and his love of viticulture was passed
onto his son Meshach, who continued the
tradition making his first wine in 1865, while
becoming a prominent community leader.
Meshach married Emma in 1883 and they had
eight children. First-born Percival established
the Wilsford Winery near Lyndoch in 1928.
Percival had two sons, Noel and Colin, and
Colin and his wife Nancy had one son, Grant.
Following in the footsteps of his father and
forefathers before him, Grant carried the
winemaking tradition into the 21st century.
Grant Burge Wines came under the ownership
of the Accolade Wines' family of brands in 2015.
Since then, the winery has flourished both
nationally and internationally, with the wines
receiving acclaim from wine writers and lovers
alike, and the unwavering focus on producing
beautiful Barossa wines has only grown
stronger under the stewardship of Chief
Winemaker Craig Stansborough and VitThe
Grant Burge winemaking team is led by Chief
Winemaker, Craig Stansborough. He believes
attention to detail is of upmost importance when
crafting beautiful Barossa wines.
However, the team is blessed with fantastic fruit
that requires polishing and shaping, rather than
heavy-handed manipulation in the winery.

The breadth of the Grant Burge range is so
wide-ranging, from sparklings and rosé wines to
classic Shiraz, Grenache and fortified wines,
but the common winemaking style is enhancing
flavour, generosity and drinkability.
Grant Burge Wines craft big and bold reds for
the drinkers who love this style, as well as a
collection of very elegant and stylish wines that
cater to drinkers who appreciate this style.
The versatility of the region is one of its greatest
strengths.
With the combination of the best terroirs, the
best climate and the best winemaking
techniques, the natural result is the best wine.
What drives the entire winemaking team is the
hope that Grant Burge Wines are enjoyed and
shared by family and friends, making memories
that will last a lifetime.
overseen by Rodney Birchmore, Viticulturist. He
believes that if the right varieties are grown in
the right soils, and vines are managed to
produce low-to-moderate yields, the vines will
produce the premium quality fruit needed to
produce exceptional wines.
The Barossa is famous around the world for its
premium wines and Grant Burge wines is one of
the most recognised brands from this region.
The diversity of the terroir and the region's
levels, combined with its Mediterranean climate,
provide the perfect environment to make a
range of ultra-premium wines.
Located just 80km north of South Australia’s
capital city of Adelaide, the Barossa also
provides a perfect weekend escape to enjoy its
fine wines and gourmet food.
Find out more about Visiting the Barossa.
The Grant Burge vineyard management is

The region consists of two distinct valleys. The
Barossa Valley floor is 200-250m above sea
level, with rich, red-brown, deep, alluvial soils
ideal for red wine grape growing.
This contrasts to the high-altitude Eden Valley
at 500m above sea level with rocky, acidic and
grey schist soils, ideal for cool-climate
viticulture.
Together, these two geographical indications
make up The Barossa.
The Barossa is widely recognised as Australia’s
most varied district for premium grape growing.
It features cold, wet winters and generous
spring rains to set up moisture reserves.
as other parts of the Barossa, it has higher
rainfall and more balanced and less stressed
canopies.
The soils are generally rich deep red/brown
medium clay/loam and are rich in nutrients with
ideal water-holding capacity.
These soils generally make wines with red berry
fruit instead of big plummy ripe characters.
Fruit for Grant Burge wines are sourced from
the following vineyards: Corryton Park,
Summers, Lily Farm, Grocke Farm, Colin
Burge, Haese, The Holy Trinity, Daly Road,
Wilsford, Hillcot, Filsell, Cameron Vale, Ashlyn,
Miamba, The Chaff Mill, Berghofer, Wohlstadt.
During summer and autumn, the weather dries
off, providing warm and moderate conditions
ideal for ripening grapes. This produces the full,
generous varietal flavours for which the district
is renowned.
The majority of our fruit is sourced from the
southern half, where the climate isn’t as harsh

WINERY REVIEW:
SALTRAM
Saltram has celebrated the tradition and
heritage behind the Barossa Valley, making
flagship red wines of great style and taste.
William Salter arrived in South Australia from
Exeter, England aboard the Caroline in
December, 1839.
In 1844, Salter became one of the first people
to purchase land in the newly opened land
survey known as the Barossa Valley.
In 1859, Salter formed a partnership with his
son Edward, then aged 22, founding the firm W
Salter & Son.
They began with clearing and planting 10 acres
of Shiraz at the eastern end of the property.
A shed was erected for making wine and a
cellar was carved out of a nearby hill.
Their first vintage in 1862 produced 1800
gallons (8000 litres)
William Salter passed away in 1871, leaving
Edward to run the property.
By 1873, the vintage was harvested from 12
hectares of Shiraz and 4 hectares of Palomino
used for sherry. In the same year, Edward
employed Alfred Birks, who introduced Saltram
wines to New Zealand before setting up the
famous AP Birks winery in Clare.
In 1882, Thomas Hardy agreed to buy all
Saltram's wine and find a market for it.
This arrangement was in place for 10 years,
and Hardy is credited with establishing Saltram
wines in London. By 1891, the size of the
vintage had grown to 182,000 litres, 3/4 of
which was high quality dry red, mainly shiraz,
for export markets.
In 1898, Edward's sons Charles and Leslie
entered into a partnership with their father each
holding a quarter share of the business.

Charles was appointed manager, a position he
held until 1902 when he left to start his own
business.
Leslie succeeded his brother and separated the
winemaking operations from the viticulture and
focussed on red wine production for export.
Leslie Salter had been educated at Roseworthy
College and became a close friend of Ronald
Martin of ‘Stonyfell’.
Martin bought a third share of W Salter & Son in
1920, assuming the role of Chairman of
Directors.
When Leslie Salter resigned as Managing
Director in 1937, the Saltram vineyard was
managed by H.M Martin of Stonyfell and in
1941 it became a wholly owned subsidiary of
Martin's.
The two operations worked in tandem with
winemaking being performed at Saltram and
Stonyfell being used for maturation and bottling.
Fred Ludlow took over winemaking at Saltram,
having worked there since 1917. He retained
this position until he retired in 1953.
A young Bryan Dolan graduated from
Roseworthy college in 1949 and was later
appointed manager at Saltram by Henry Martin.
By 1954, Bryan had taken over winemaking and
was promoted to General Manager of H.M
Martin and Son in 1959. Bryan continued as
General Manager and later as Production
Director until 1979.
In 1960, the legendary Peter Lehmann
succeeded Dolan at Saltram. Lehmann
lightened the traditional styles and made
distinctive reds and fine ports.
He encouraged the planting of Cabernet
Sauvignon, harvested earlier for better pH
control and introduced new oak casks.

In 1979, Lehman left Saltram to form what is
today known as Peter Lehmann Wines.
The late 70s through to the early 90s were
difficult times at Saltram, with ownership and
management changes continually shifting the
focus on wine styles.
Things took a turn for the better in 1992 when
Bryan Dolan's son Nigel, who was born in
Mamre Brook House, was appointed Chief
Winemaker.
Nigel's first vintage with Saltram was as a
cellar-hand in 1979, but he returned to carry the
mantle of Chief Winemaker until 2007.
Nigel took Saltram back to its roots, focussing
on Barossa sourced grapes and styles which
had made Saltram famous.
Nigel's achievements include being named
South Australian Red Winemaker of the Year in
1996 and Barossa Winemaker of the Year in
2000.
In 2001, he was a finalist in the Qantas
Australian Winemaker of the Year competition.
Shavaughn Wells was appointed Saltram
Senior Winemaker after years working with the
wines and vineyards behind the scenes.
The following year, Saltram celebrated its 150th
anniversary. To mark this milestone, Saltram
released a 1959 Vintage Rare Tawny and the
first release of The Journal Shiraz.
In 2010, Saltram released the first of its Estate
Grown wines. Sourced from the unique
vineyards that surround the Saltram Estate in
the heart of the Barossa Valley, the new Shiraz
Tempranillo is a modern blend from an old
master.
Alex started as 10th Winemaker at Saltram in
2017 – 16 years after his first experience with
Saltram, working alongside the 8th maker, Nigel
Dolan. Alex has been actively involved in
keeping the high standards set by his
predecessors, and has continued to promote
Saltram, including launching new Saltram wines
into China.

WINERY REVIEW: SEPELT
The foundations of Seppelt were laid in 1851
when Joseph Seppelt established Seppeltsfield
in the Barossa Valley.
On the other side of the country, young
Frenchman Jean Pierre Trouette followed the
gold rush to Victoria and formed a partnership
with Anne Marie Blampied and her brother,
Emile.
They established the first vines in the
Grampians region with the historic St Peters
vineyard in 1863.
The Great Western winery was founded by
Joseph Best in 1865. He commissioned local
gold miners to tunnel the underground cellars
that became known as ‘The Drives.
In 1888, following Joseph Best’s passing,
Ballarat businessman Hans Irvine purchased
Great Western. In 1890, Irvine hired Frenchman
Charles Pierlot to produce the first methode
champenoise sparkling wines in Australia,
including the uniquely Australian sparkling red
wine.
Legendary winemaker Colin Preece became
Seppelt’s chief winemaker in 1932 – a role he
retained for the next three decades.
During his time, the last gold mines in Great
Western would be shut down in 1938.
The first Chalambar Shiraz was produced in
1953. Seppelt’s sparkling wines became
legendary in Australia, sweeping the show
circuit from the 1940s to the 1960s, earning a
reputation as Australia's most awarded
sparkling wine.
Les Francis was appointed chief winemaker in
1963 after Colin Preece retired due to ill health,
eventually passing in 1979.
Francis would go on to pioneer the Drumborg
and Padthaway regions, well before cool
climate area became fashionable.

Pete Weste took over as winemaker in 1968,
later passing the baton to Mike Press in 1976.
Press would release Seppelt’s first Fleur de Lys
sparkling wine.
In 1982 Seppelt became Australia's largest wine
brand and has continued to be an iconic
Australian producer ever since. Ian McKenzie
took over winemaking duties in 1983,
overseeing the first release of Salinger in 1986,
made from classic champagne grape varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
In 1991, Seppelt Salinger 1988 and 1989 jointly
win Sparkling Wine of the Year at the London
International Wine Challenge.
The following year, Seppelt Harpers Range
Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec wins the Jimmy
Watson, Australia’s most prestigious wine show
trophy.
Previously known as Great Western Vineyard
Shiraz, the flagship wine was re-launched as St
Peter’s Shiraz in 1998.
Seppelt would celebrate its 150th birthday in
2001. In 2009, the entire Drumborg Vineyard
range was released for the first time since 1998,
with the first Salinger NV released two years
later.
In 2011, Adam Carnaby was appointed
winemaker at Seppelt, a role he continued in for
nearly a decade – upholding our sought-after
styles, together with producing some celebrated
new wines during his tenure.
In 2018, Seppelt was announced as a Major
Partner of the Victoria Racing Club and
Melbourne Cup Carnival - including naming
rights of Seppelt Wines Stakes Day.
2018 also marked a new chapter for Seppelt,
with the debut of an updated aesthetic and the
inaugural release of The Seppelt Luxury

Collection - showcasing the label’s leading
wines and now an anticipated annual release.
In November 2020, Clare Dry joined Seppelt as
our new lead winemaker.
Growing up on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula,
Clare has spent the last 13 years crafting wines
in South Australia, bringing a wealth of
experience to the position and a clear focus on
our leading portfolio of still and sparkling wines.
expression and character from our three key
regions: Heathcote in central Victoria, Henty in
south-western Victoria and the Grampians in
western Victoria.
As we draw fruit from our distinctive wine
regions of Victoria, our winemaking reflects
these sites and to produce wines which are
balanced, complex and most importantly,
delicious.”
“Our philosophy has been shaped by previous
master winemakers Colin Preece and Ian
Mackenzie, who were instrumental in producing
some of Australia's iconic wines.
Our vineyards are our greatest resource, and as
winemakers we believe we are the custodians
of these sites, which are the legacy of the
pioneers of the Grampians wine region Joseph
Best, Hans Irvine and the Seppelt family.
Our winemaking team draws inspiration from
the great wines of the world and the
winemakers of our history to craft wines of

Why, Why, Why?
We love food and wine, we want to share what is good with you!
We are a group of wine and food lovers, wine and hospitality trainers, and wine and food writers,
who decided to get together and create Wine and Restaurants for three reasons:
1.- Our passion for food and wine, and willingness to share.
2.- Too tired of the restrictions of current life style magazines in Vietnam, whose sole target is
money, many of which (if not all) do not do restaurant reviews unless restaurants and hotels
advertise, or promise advertising (forget about the claims of independence and mystery visits,
our writers used to write for them, we do know!).
3.- Growing interest in Wine in Vietnam, but not dedicated media.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR CONTRIBUTORS IN ENGLISH AND/OR VIETNAMESE
Are you passionate about food and wine, and like writing?
Email us: infowr@greentalentgroup.com