Site 6: Old Vines

The first vines to be planted on the property were sown in September of 1851, when Brother Joannes Schreiner walked to Bungaree Station, situated around 20 kilometres north of Sevenhill, with a wheelbarrow to take cuttings from the vines below the majestic old homestead. These cuttings were planted at Sevenhill on the western side of the driveway entrance.

These vines were planted to produce grapes for sacramental wine, as wines imported from Europe were often of poor quality or spoiled before reaching Australian shores.

These plantings signify the birth of Sevenhill Cellars, the region’s oldest winery, and the establishment of the Clare Valley wine region. Today, the original vines, which were planted near the entranceway to the winery, have been removed. In front of you now are the oldest remaining vines in the Clare Valley. Planted in 1860, these still-productive vines span only 13 rows, but they produce extremely high-quality fruit with intense, rich, and flavourful berries year after year.