Seppeltsfield; Oscar Benno Pedro Seppelt - Second Generation

Unfortunately Joseph Seppelt did not live to see the coming to fruition of his plans, passing away on 29th January 1868 aged 55 years. Johanna Charlotte, Joseph's wife, only survived him a little over two years, passing away on 13th April 1870.

 

Joseph's bequeathed the business to his eldest son, Oscar Benno Pedro Seppelt, who was only 21 years of age. Under the provision of J E Seppelt's will, Benno received 55% of the estate valued at approximately 1000 pounds, Victor Hugo, Joseph's younger son received 30% and his sister Ottilie 15%.  Benno brought them out, paying 5% interest per annum.  Victor did not play a prominent role in the business and died in March 1882.

Unlike his father, he did not receive the benefits of a European education, but instead attended the local school in Tanunda. An interest in science was stimulated by his attendance at chemistry classes given by Dr C Meucke, who had also given a series of lectures on agricultural chemistry to the Tanunda Vintners & Gardeners Association.

With his determination to succeed and natural ability, Benno set out to expand the family business. He was more than assisted by his wife, Sophie Schroeder, whom he married in November 1870. Over the next 20 years, Benno and Sophie had a total of 16 children, 13 of whom (four girls & nine boys) survived to adulthood.

Benno had a flair for invention and his wine-testing laboratory was considered unusual if not unique in his day. He kept pigs, which were fed on grape-skins, and cured bacon which fetched good prices. He also bred sheep which grazed in the vineyards in the autumn and in 1883 won a silver cup for a champion merino ram.

Amongst other achievements, Benno is credited with the vision for and construction of the 1888 Gravity Flow Cellars, a remarkable winery structure of which is still used today. He is also responsible for the decision to lay down the first vintage of what was to become the Centennial Collection.  A single vintage Tawny in 1878 was especially produced, with strict instructions that it was to mature in barrel for 100 years before release.

Seppeltsfield; Joseph Seppelt (first generation)

The Seppeltsfield story begins with Joseph Ernst Seppelt, a merchant, who migrated to Australia with his family in 1849, from Silesia, in what is now Poland.

Joseph Seppelt was born in 1813 in Gompersdorf and moved to Wustewaltersdorf, Silesia in 1841 to conduct a business in manufacturing and selling tobacco, snuff and liqueurs. After completing his education he travelled extensively throughout Germany, Austria and Northern Italy.

Upon returning home, he entered the family business but the political and economic disturbances of the 1840s made him think of migrating to a land free of revolts and other social upheavals. He at first apparently considered going to Brazil, but decided to immigrate to Australia like other Germans were doing.

Joseph took his wife, Johanna Charlotte, his two sons, Benno & Hugo, and daughter Ottilie. He also took 13 families from his neighbourhood and a group of young men who had worked in his factory, with the hope of re-establishing the family business. The party left Hamburg on 5th September 1849 on the ship Cezar Helene and disembarked at Strode. They then took the vessel Emmy to Melbourne, where they arrived in January 1850. The ship then went on to Port Adelaide and it is unclear whether the Seppelt group disembarked there or whether they left the ship at Melbourne, and travelled overland to Adelaide. 

In 1850 the family settled at Klemzig. Whilst residing there Joseph purchased 80 acres at Golden Grove with the intentions of growing tobacco.  After discovering the area was unsuitable for such a crop he was attracted to the Barossa Valley where he and his family moved in 1851.

In February 1852, a deed was registered in Adelaide indicating that Joseph Seppelt farmer, of Seppeltsfield had purchased 158 acres of land in the Hundred of Nuriootpa from Hermann Kook, farmer of Tanunda at a £1 an acre. By this time the Seppelt family had cleared and planted their land with tobacco and wheat and had moved from Tanunda where they had lived for a short period of time. The area again proved unsuitable for the tobacco plant because, although it grew rapidly, the leaf was too strong to be used in the production of tobacco or snuff. However, because of the Victorian gold rushes, high prices were obtained for wheat and so the family had a good economic start. 

Joseph then decided to plant vines. Given his manufacturing background and knowledge of liqueur and cordial making it was not surprising that he saw the potential of making wine in the Barossa. He built a cellar and gradually explored markets for his wines until 1867 when he felt confident enough to begin the construction of a full-scale winery.

Unfortunately Joseph Seppelt did not live to see the coming to fruitation of his plans as he died on 29th January 1868 aged 55 years. Johanna Charlotte, Joseph's wife, only survived him a little over two years, dying on 13th April 1870.

Welcome to Seppeltsfield's blog

Welcome to the official blog of Australia's most iconinc wine estate, Seppeltsfield. 

We are proud to now share our facinating history and exciting future through regular posts, whilst also welcome you to be interactive with us. Seppeltsfield is truly one of the great dames of the Australian wine community and we invite you to share your experiences with her.

Stay tuned for a journey through the Seppelt family history, profiles of family members, as well as a behind the scenes look through the magnificent heritage-listed Barossa estate.

 

For more information on our rare collection of fortifieds and small batch table wines, please also visit our website - www.seppeltsfield.com.au