Chateau Tanunda Launches 130th Anniversary Celebrations

Château Tanunda Launches 130^th Anniversary Celebration

One of the most historically significant and visited wineries in Australia, Château Tanunda, Icon of the Barossa, began its 130^th Anniversary celebrations with an invitational Winemakers vs Wine Media Cricket match at the picturesque Château Cricket Oval followed by a gala dinner showcasing some of the Chateaus’ great wines.

With over 150 invited guests, including leading Australian wine media, wine trade personalities and a contingent of six former international cricketers, it was a grand start to many festivities planned for 2020.

“We are starting our 130^th Celebrations with two days of Australian Wine Media and Trade activities, and a star-studded Wine Media vs Wine Makers cricket match for the lead-up to the Adelaide Test Match.” Managing Director Michelle Geber said.

As a keen Cricket fan, John Geber proudly welcomed international cricket names to play: Stuart MacGill, Geoff Lawson, Brendon Julian, Wayne Holdsworth, Carl Hooper and Nepali 20-20 star Sunam Gautam. In the crowd was former ‘invincible’: Neil Harvey.

“Château Tanunda was established in 1890 by the Barossans, for the Barossa, as a place to make the highest quality wines to bring to the world. 130 years later, my family is lucky enough to continue that legacy as the custodians of this amazing icon” said Proprieter and Chairman, John Geber.”

“It is a miracle. This is the birthplace of the Barossa with the first vines planted on the property in 1842, as well as the first winery “Fiedler's Weingut” in 1843 with 73 different grape varieties. Even more amazing is the birth of this place: The Château itself was built in 1890 in just 5 months. The first winemaker, French-Swissman Charles Gelly, was the first winemaker to bring the latest French winemaking techniques to the Barossa. In that first vintage,” he said.

As a true family business, the reins have since passed to John’s daughter, Michelle Geber,  who has been running the Château for the last two years.

“Our history speaks for itself,” Michelle said, “and we are building on that with a strong vision for the future. Our focus is always on quality with our Grand Barossa range at the core, complemented by the unique characters of our Old Vines Expression range, with wines from 50, 100 and 150-year-old vines. The Grand Barossa range represents high quality, accessible wines recognised world-wide as being best in class. The Old Vines Expression wines are from unique terroirs producing wine of incredible character and really are what puts our wines, those of the best of the Barossa, at the very top of wine production in the world. They are true collector wines” said Michelle.

“Château Tanunda which we describe as the first growth of Australia champions the Barossa, and more specifically, Eden Valley has the potential to produce some of the greatest Cabernet blends in Australia. To that end, we have identified an east-facing contoured site on our Eden Valley Matthews Road property, to plant a selection of the latest clones of all six Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carmenere) in a project we call “The Amphitheatre”.”

This calls for a celebration. And what a celebration is planned.

With an unmatched history, a strong vision for the future and the passion of the Geber family, Château Tanunda is uniquely positioned to champion the great wines of the Barossa for at least another 130 years.

John is excited: “This is one of the most iconic wine stories of Australia, and it also happens to be one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in Australia. 130 years’ proud history, combining with our vision for the future, gives us great cause for celebration.

Key Facts:

-          130 Year Heritage: Established in 1890, Château Tanunda is a leading family-owned Australian and a leading proponent of Barossa Old vine vineyards in the “Old Vine Expressions” range. Built in 5 months – 93 stonemasons, with first winemaker French-Swiss: Charles Gelly

-          Family Generation: John Geber (Chairman and Proprietor), Michelle Geber (Managing Director). Only three owners in history: Chateau Tanunda 1890-1916; Seppelt Family and Southcorp 1916-1998; Geber Family 1998-present

-          Birthplace of the Barossa: 1^st vines planted on the property as well as the first winery “Fiedler's Weingut” in 1843.

-          International Award Winning Wines: 9-time Australian Producer of the year- Berlin Wine Trophy; Red Five Star Winery – Halliday Wine Companion; Top 20 Australian Wineries – Huon Hooke

-          A Château: the only Australian Château recognised as a Château in Europe

-          Fine Winemaking: Senior Winemaker, Neville Rowe. Heads a 7 person winemaking team utilising: minimal intervention, open fermenters.

-          Old Vine Expressions: saving the oldest vines in the world to create wines of unique character and quality: 50-year-old, 100-year-old and 150-year-old vine vineyards.

-          Amphitheatre Vineyard:  pioneering vision for a world-class Eden Valley Bordeaux style blend based on the early Tollana T222 Cabernet Sauvignon.