A brand new cellar door experience in the Clare Valley

The historic Knappstein Wines site in the Clare Valley is en route to being one of the snazziest cellar door facilities in South Australia. 

The first of three newly renovated cellar door venues on the heritage-listed site has just been launched with two more on the way. 

The new Knappstein tasting room is now open the public and more than triples Knappstein’s tasting room capacity. Later this year, the Knappstein wine lounge and underground cellar venue will be unveiled. 

This is the first major renovation of the property in the last 15 years and spans the entirety of the heritage-listed Enterprise Brewery building first established in 1878. 

Knappstein Wines’ Tania Matz feels the renovations will breathe new life to the property and Knappstein brand. 

 

“We’re thrilled with the renovations," she.said. "It’s exciting to now have a cellar door that matches Knappstein’s rich history and enviable winemaking reputation.”  

 

The new cellar door sales and tasting room has moved from the north side of the Enterprise Brewery to the long frontage of the building, giving visitors a more expansive space to enjoy a Knappstein tasting experience. 

 The focal point of the room is a long granite tasting bench to be used for guided tastings. In the south end of the room is a seating area, giving guests the space to relax with a glass of wine or a ‘build your own’ platter with fresh produce from local providores. 

 

The north end of the room is sectioned off by a floor-to-ceiling display, creating a semi-private area for large group tastings and events.  The design of the renovations highlights the room’s original features, like the structural timber beams in the bulkhead and original sandstone facade of the building. 

 

Knappstein’s new wine lounge, to be opened later this year, takes over the site's original tasting room and repurposes the space into a cosy retreat for guests. 

 

Visitors can access the wine lounge through the new tasting room, or via the north side of the building, allowing for the space to be used as a private venue for small events. 

 

There are two dedicated wine lounge areas, with seating surrounding the functioning fireplace and an additional seating area for large groups. One corner of the space is dedicated to a large display unit, which will prominently feature Knappstein’s recent awards and historical memorabilia. 

 

For the first time in the property’s history, Knappstein will open to the public its underground cellar. Accessed through the main stairs of the new wine lounge, the underground cellar will be a unique space for Knappstein’s major events, live music performance, private tastings and dinner functions. 

 

“We are very excited about the potential uses for the underground cellar and it will be a fantastic space to enjoy during the winter months when we host live music events or special tastings,” Matz said. 

 

Towards the back of the cellar, Knappstein has created an exclusive museum display room to house the winery’s back vintages. The brand has had several owners over the past three decades.  

 

In addition to the fully renovated cellar door, Knappstein will also unveil its new-look winery website later this month.

 

Due to Covid-19 venue restrictions, Knappstein’s cellar door sales and tasting room is currently limited to 40 guests maximum for seated tastings only.

 

For information visit www.knappstein.com.au.