Sharing a name with Oscar Benno Seppelt, the second generation Seppelt who helped make Seppeltsfield one of the most iconic names in Australian winemaking, the 12-storey project will be a major new addition to the region with 70 rooms, restaurant and a 360 degree rooftop bar.
“Oscar will complete the grand vision of our tourism master plan for Seppeltsfield to become the most desirable epicurean destination for tourists worldwide,” Seppeltsfield owner and executive chairman Warren Randall said in a statement. “We wanted to create a national icon for South Australia – a Sydney Opera House for the Barossa.”
“The hotel will be positioned gently in the middle of the Great Terraced Vineyard, surrounded by century old bush vines, an amazingly tranquil location and a short walking distance to the world-class Seppeltsfield tourism village.”
Adelaide firm Intro Architecture have led the project, with head architect Terry Boxall apparently drawing inspiration from the abundant wine barrels that can be found quietly ageing in the winery’s cellars – although one wonders whether he’s also been reading Frank Herbert’s Dune. The resulting design will undoubtedly inspire much conversation in the region, and offer an interesting counterpoint to the palm trees-and-heritage atmosphere cultivated around the Seppelstfield precinct.
With Seppeltsfield, and all other South Australian wineries, forced to close to the public in a COVID-19 cellar door ban announced last week, this major project is a timely reminder that despite the setback, there will be a future for the state’s wine regions beyond 2020. The success of the d’Arenberg Cube has demonstrated the potential payoff for bold projects in our most historic wine regions – Oscar certainly looks set to up the ante a little further.
Walter is a writer and editor living on Kaurna Country.
Get the latest from The Adelaide Review in your inbox
Get the latest from The Adelaide Review in your inbox