Avenue of Palms

Instantaneously recognisable with Seppeltsfield, over 2000 Canary Island Date Palms line the
surrounding roads, providing one of Australia’s most visually spectacular driving avenues.

Within what would seem an extravagant exercise, a more humble story prevails. During the Great
Depression of the late 1920’s and 1930’s, the wine industry was hit hard, as was much of
Australian primary industry at the time. Like many others worldwide, Australia felt the brunt of
high unemployment, deflation and lost opportunities for economic growth.

With the depression hitting in the later years of his custodianship, Benno Seppelt faced similar
pressures with the winery enterprise. Standing resolute, much in a way the palms do today,
Benno refused to lay-off any of his workers. Benno’s employees retained their jobs and were
offered food and shelter.

In a sign of great gratitude, the Seppeltsfield employees set about beautifying the estate grounds
and greater Marananga area. Vineyard workers and cellar hands propagated thousands of palms,
sourced from the seeds of two parent trees growing near the original Seppelt homestead.

Flourishing in the fertile Western-Barossa soils, the avenue of palms have played an important
role in developing Seppeltsfield’s reputation as Australia’s most iconic wine estate. The palm logo
features predominantly on our wine labels - a lasting tribute to both Benno’s fortitude in hard
times and the beautification efforts of Seppeltsfield’s early workers.