Sevenhill Cellars

Founded in 1851 by Jesuit priests, Sevenhill Cellars stands as the oldest winery in South Australia’s Clare Valley and a cornerstone of the region’s spiritual and viticultural history. Originally established to produce sacramental wine for religious use, Sevenhill quickly became a symbol of resilience and craftsmanship. The winery’s first vines were hand-planted by Brother John Schreiner, and by the late 1850s the cellar was producing both wine and brandy from its solid rock cellars - structures still standing today as a testament to early pioneering spirit.

Over more than 170 years, Sevenhill has evolved from its ecclesiastical origins into a respected modern producer while remaining not-for-profit and under Jesuit stewardship. The estate covers over 90 hectares with 17 grape varieties planted across rolling Clare Valley hills. Ancient Shiraz vines dating back to the 1860s, alongside classic Clare staples such as Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec, anchor its portfolio in authenticity and longevity. A key architectural feature, the Gothic-inspired St. Aloysius Church, built from local stone, sits beside the historic underground cellars and reflects the intertwined heritage of faith and wine.​

Sevenhill’s winemaking philosophy remains rooted in integrity and minimal intervention, allowing the Clare Valley terroir to express its purity. Modern techniques now complement traditional methods - small-batch fermentation, gentle oak maturation, and selective vineyard management preserve natural acidity and aromatic precision. Its Rieslings are widely admired for their bright citrus purity and age-worthy minerality, while reds such as the Quarry Road Cabernet Malbec and Inigo Shiraz show concentration, structure, and finesse typical of Clare’s elevated sites.​

Today, Sevenhill Cellars is more than Australia’s oldest Jesuit winery - it is a living institution where history, spirituality, and meticulous winemaking harmoniously coexist, producing wines of grace, provenance, and enduring quality.​