Luxury hotel unveiled for the Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is to get a 12-storey luxury hotel and day spa that should significantly boost tourism to the region.



The hotel, Oscar Seppeltsfield, will be completed by 2022 and will be situated at the historic Seppeltsfield site. No operator has yet been named. 

The $50 million six-star luxury hotel project will have about 70 rooms, including suites and penthouses, with a private balcony for every room.

Artist’s impressions of the building set in the vineyards near the Seppeltsfield winery reveal an ultra-modern design to rival McLaren Vale’s d’Arenberg Cube.

The hotel will be on land owned by Seppeltsfield Wines and leased to Luxury Hotels Australia for 99 years.

Seppeltsfield's ambitious owner Warren Randall said he wanted to create a national icon for South Australia.

“A Sydney Opera House for the Barossa,” he said. "Oscar will complete the grand vision of our tourism master plan for Seppeltsfield to become the most desirable epicurean destination for tourists worldwide.

“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."

The Seppeltsfield precinct is already one of the Barossa’s leading tourist destinations and includes the Seppeltsfield Cellar Door and Centennial Cellar, 1888 Gravity Cellar, Fino Restaurant, a design studio, cooperage and artisan knife maker.

“The addition of this luxury hotel will elevate Seppeltsfield to one of the top five vineyards in the world, in turn lifting Australia’s international wine reputation,” the ever-ebullient Randall said.

Plans for the hotel were expected to be lodged with Light Regional Council today. Construction is expected to begin in early 2021 with the building completed about 12 months later.

South Australia is responsible for about 50% of Australia’s annual production and 80% of its premium wine.

The Barossa Valley is Australia’s most famous wine producing region and is also home to iconic brands Penfolds, Wolf Blass and Jacob’s Creek.Oscar Seppeltsfield will also feature a sky bar on the top level with 360-degree sweeping views of the Barossa. The ground floor will have a wellness day spa including a private entry to a relaxation space and infinity pool. The hotel will also offer a restaurant, private dining room and boardroom.

Project spokesman Toby Yap said Luxury Hotels Australia was made up of a dynamic group of South Australian business leaders.

“The Barossa is famous for its wine, food, and spectacular sights, but what it needs is an iconic luxury hotel to cater to local and international guests that visit the region,” he said.

“We are thrilled to be bringing this landmark project to one of the greatest wine regions in the world.

“With over 897,000-day trips to the Barossa in 2019, Oscar Seppeltsfield will be a place where people can stay longer, immerse, indulge and relax.”

Head Architect of Intro Architecture Terry Boxall designed the hotel, taking inspiration from the history of Seppeltsfield winery and the wine barrels in the Centennial Cellar.

The hotel is named in honour of the innovative visionary Oscar Benno Seppelt, who took over the Seppeltsfield winery from his founding father Joseph in 1868 and went on to revolutionise the Australian wine industry.