CLARE VALLEY

CELLAR DOOR

SAT 30.5.2015: Back to the Sevenhill Cellars which was established by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1851, and is the oldest winery in the Clare Valley and the only remaining Jesuit winery in Australia. That was enough to attract us to this winery, but what we found was even better. A walking tour has been established that allows you to understand Sevenhill's religious and historic significance.

THIS IS A CELLAR!

You are provided with a map of the winery and detailed explanations of all the attractions. This is free of charge and you are permitted access to most areas - for us this turned out to be a morning's activity, loved it.

 

ST ALOYSIUS' CHURCH 1875

1848 MADONNA PAINTING

CRYPT - RESTING PLACE
OF 41 JESUITS

"MADONNA OF THE VINES"
"THE MADONNA WALKING THROUGH
THE VINES TO ENSURE GOOD WINES
TO FOLLOW".




 

 

 

WEIKERT HOUSE, BLACKSMITH & DAIRY

 

 

Franz Weikert, a Silesian farmer, led a group of 130 Catholics from Austria to South Australia in 1848. Two Jesuit priests accompanied them. Construction began in 1865 on Weikert House, with completion in 1870 - Sevenhill Cellars are aiming to renovate the cottage. 

ST IGNATIUS OF LOYALA SHRINE 1870
PLACE OF PRAYER AND REFLECTION

VINES PLANTED PRIOR
TO 1860

SLATE TANK ESTABLISHED
IN THE 1850S



"THE WAY OF THE CROSS"

 

 

 

This area provides a prayerful walk with a series of scenarios (or Stations) that recall Jesus' final walk from Jerusalem to his crucifixion site outside the city.

THE MARIAN SHRINE
ORIGINALLY THE SMOKEHOUSE
OF THE JESUIT COMMUNITY

 

Blessed Mary Mackillop's link with Sevenhill began when her brothers Donald and Peter attended Sevenhill's boarding college in the 1870's, staying at Weikert Cottage to be near her brothers and to make a retreat.

MR MICK'S CELLAR DOOR & KITCHEN

Onward to Mr Mick's Cellar Door and Kitchen - Mr Mick is named after K.H. (Mr Mick) Knappstein, a legend within the Australian winemaking industry. One of Mr Mick’s passions in life was to make wines for everyone to enjoy, a tradition his last apprentice, local winemaker Tim Adams continues in his name. Today Tim and his wife Pam are proud custodians of this landmark property. "We feel fortunate that Mary Ann Foster after interviewing Mr Mick, her father, put pen to paper to record a history of the Stanley Wine Company, from the Company’s inception in 1894 to the end of his 57 year wine industry career in the 1980’s. Inevitably this is also a history of the Knappstein family, grape growing and winemaking in the Clare Valley". Wine tasting and lunch - nice!

Stayed at Spalding Junction Rest Area 9kms north of Burra.