The 'Para' Story

The name ‘Para’ has been synonymous with luxurious fortified wine for more than half a century,
with the iconic insignia gracing Seppeltsfield’s most treasured Tawny styles.

The first Seppeltsfield fortified to adorn the Para name was a 1922 Liqueur, first released in 1953
in celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Today, it appears across the Seppeltsfield
Para Collection, which comprises of Tawny wines from 10 years average age, through to 21 year
old releases. It is also recognised on our icon series Tawnies from the Centennial Collection and
100 year old releases.

The term ‘Para’ is familiar to Barossans, being the name of the river that meanders through the
local landscape. The North Para rises from the Barossa Ranges near Eden Valley and flows
South-West through the Barossa Valley, passing through the townships of Nuriootpa and
Tanunda. Several estuaries branch off of the Para catchment, including Jacob’s Creek and
Greenock Creek, the latter passing directly through the Seppeltsfield estate itself.

The proximity of a reliable water source would have appealed greatly to Seppeltsfield’s founder,
Joseph Seppelt, attributing to the decision to settle at the particular Western-Barossa site. The
early development of the Seppeltsfield estate and mixed farming enterprise would have relied in
part to the Para River and Greenock Creek for a dependable water source. This is evident today
with the original pump house used by the Seppelt family still presiding on the banks of Greenock
Creek.

Para is a local indigenous Australian term, believed to translate simply to ‘river’.

The Centennial Cellar

Seppeltsfield’s history is punctuated with many moments of visionary foresight. Seppeltsfield’s founder, Joseph Seppelt and his eldest son, Benno, were particularly renown for their longer term vision for the estate, closely following custodianship principles to ensure a legacy was passed on to future generations.

This is no more evident than Benno Seppelt’s inception of the Centennial Cellar - a truly unique and unparalleled system of maturing single barrels of vintage Tawny for 100 years before release.

In 1866, plans to build a new bluestone cellar were started by Joseph. 12 years later in 1878 and
following the passing of his father, Benno completed the stone cellars. In a gesture both unique and inspirational, Benno selected a puncheon of his finest wine and gave instructions that it was not to be bottled for 100 years. This single barrel of 1878 Tawny port was to remain maturing in a separate room within the bluestone cellars, untouched in the same location 100 years. This
special room would go on to become the ‘Centennial Cellar’.

The tradition of laying down a barrel of the finest wine from each vintage was continued every year following and continues to do so today. The Centennial Cellar now comprises an unbroken lineage of every vintage from the current year back to 1878.

A Century later in 1978, the inaugural 1878 Para Vintage 100 Year Old Tawny was released,
instantly becoming Australia’s most illustrious fortified wine.

Today, the 100 year old Para Tawny remains one of the world’s most collectable wines. It is the only wine in Australia to have ever been awarded 100/100 points from James Halliday and is
often regarded as a true national treasure.

A living museum of Australian winemaking history and undoubtedly the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Seppeltsfield estate, the Centennial Cellar is an absolute must see for visitors. Unlike any other winery in the world, Seppeltsfield offers visitors the opportunity to experience the
Centennial Cellar, including tasting both the 100 year old Para Tawny and birth year vintages.

Vintages are also available for purchase in specially presented gift boxes, which can be
personalised with a recipient’s name.