Château Tanunda Celebrates Grand Opening of New Cellar Door

Barossa Herald - 4th December 2018

Significant and historic Barossa winery Chateau Tanunda reopened its cellar door last Thursday to invited guests following a major refurbishment.

The open-plan cellar door is home to the Grand Cellar, housing over 360 barrels of Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz, one the Barossa’s leading exported wines, with more than 10 vintages of back-to-back Gold medals awarded. 

The new atmospheric cellar doors features a hand-crafted, bespoke five metre high re-claimed 300-year-old oak wall, sourced from historic brandy puncheons. 

The area will host new seated tasting experiences and showcase the luxury collection of Old Vine Expression wines.

On the public’s ‘must visit’ list of cellar doors in the Barossa, the space has been renovated in keeping with the heritage features of the property, including a stunning mezzanine which overlooks one of the most impressive barrel halls in Australia.

Below the mezzanine a highly innovative design feature with a landscape projection system providing an insight into the history of Chateau Tanunda along with revolving cinematography of current winemaking practices.

VIP guests enter via the concierge room before embarking on their hosted experiences, including current vintage tastings of the finest quality wines directly from the barrel.

Guests can experience the ‘Old Vine Expression’ range, of 50-Year-Old, 100-Year-Old Vines and the rare and collectable 150-Year-Old Vines 1858 Field Blend, and 150-Year-Old Vines Semillon. Plus, sample a full collection of Grand Barossa and The Chateau limited release Single Vineyard wines. 

Loyalty Wine Club members have their own dedicated tasting area in historic and restored concrete wine tanks, housing hundreds of thousands of dollars of back vintage cellared wines.

Together with the launch of the Cellar Door, Chateau Tanunda was the release of a new history book ‘Château Tanunda, Winemakers since 1890’, researched and written by prominent historian’s Geoffrey Bishop and Don Ross. 

The book reveals never before told stories of the Barossa’s heritage and Chateau Tanunda’s significance, in innovation and contribution to Australian winemaking. 

“It cements Chateau Tanunda’s position as one of the Barossa’s, and Australia’s, significant wineries,” managing director and second-generation family member of privately-owned Chateau Tanunda, Michelle Geber said.

“This year marks 20-years of ownership of this Barossa icon and throughout this time we have invested significantly in the wines and winemaking facilities at the Chateau.

“With our ‘Old Vine Expressions’ range of wines gaining considerable recognition, it’s time to give them primary focus and deliver customers a true wine experience inside one of the most significant, and impressive wineries in Australia.

Chateau Tanunda’s new renovations are another great reason to come and visit, or re-visit the impressive estate off Basedow Road. 

Whether your interest is in award winning wines, iconic architecture, history or a relaxing game of croquet, there is something for everyone.