You’d never know from Seppelt itself, but 2001 actually marks the 150th year since Seppelt’s founder Joseph Seppelt bought the land for and began to establish what has since become the imposing Seppeltsfield complex. This happy occurrence means that one of Australia’s most important, if indeed perhaps its most mismanaged wine brands in Seppelt is effectively 150 years old this year. Remarkably, given the carnage wrought on the brand by its various managers, the Seppelt label still represents some classic living segments of Australian wine history. The DP range of fortifieds, Para port collection, Great Western show series sparkling reds, Great Western Shiraz and Dorrien Cabernet Sauvignon (from one of the Barossa’s best cabernet vineyards) are each as irreplaceable as many of the modern Seppelt wines, such as the Terrain series and Victorian range, are eminently forgettable.
