A new focus on table wine is rewarded at Australia’s most iconic wine estate – Seppeltsfield Estate senior winemaker, Fiona Donald has been honoured with the title of 2012 Barossa Winemaker of the Year.
The prestigious accolade was bestowed by the Barons of Barossa wine fraternity at the official declaration of vintage ceremony in Tanunda on February 19. A colourful procession of traditionally robed Barons led the annual harvest parade to Murray Street rotunda where the Barossa Winemaker of the Year Award was presented.
Barons of Barossa Grand Master, Stephen Henschke said the award was very highly deserved. “Fiona Donald is a great winemaker and this accolade is very appropriate, particularly as Seppeltsfield is starting to kick goals for their table wines. She is an incredibly intelligent winemaker doing great things at the Estate and has developed a stellar reputation over her time in Barossa. It is fantastic to have the opportunity to reward Fiona’s work as Barossa Winemaker of the Year.”
As Senior Winemaker at Seppeltsfield Estate, Fiona has been instrumental in breathing new life into the historic 1888 gravity flow winery. This recent accolade backs up a string of trophies and cements Seppeltsfield’s reputation as makers of fine table wine.
On receiving the impressive title, Fiona said “I am so honoured to receive this acknowledgement from the Barons of Barossa. When I returned from a year in Europe, I re- discovered what a wonderful place this is. The winemaking community, grape quality and cultural heritage are compelling.” She also credited the support of her winery team and the Seppeltsfield Estate board.
This recent award is testament to the dawning of a new age at Seppeltsfield. The Estate received top honours and most successful exhibitor at the 35th Barossa Wine Show. Under Fiona Donald, a renewed focus on table wine has yielded trophies for the 2011 Elm Walk Eden Valley Riesling, 2010 Grenache Shiraz Touriga and 2010 Shiraz Grenache Carignan. All three wines were crafted during the first vintage in the restored gravity flow winery.
Housed in the original 19th century building, Seppeltsfield 1888 gravity flow winery is geared towards small batch parcels for super premium table wine. Soft handling in state of the art, open top fermenters delivers an elegant style with soft, savoury tannins.
Fiona’s award marks the 161st anniversary of Seppeltsfield Estate on February 20 and the beginning of vintage 2012, the first since Seppeltsfield acquired Barossa Vines. Harvest is now well under way and predictions are that quality will be very high. We look forward to the fruit of the new crop from Australia’s most iconic wine estate.
Produced in limited quantities, Seppeltsfield table wines are available exclusively from cellar door at the historic Seppeltsfield village and online via seppeltsfield.com.au
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