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From Napa Valley to the vineyard-dotted hills of Tuscany, wine hotels are hardly a new phenomenon. But one new Australian hotel is hoping to stand out among the vines.
Set to welcome guests in 2022, hotel Oscar Sepeltsfield in South Australia's Barossa wine region will be built in the shape of a deconstructed wine barrel seemingly emerging from the vineyards.
The $50 million six-star luxury hotel project will be set on the historic vineyards in the area's celebrated Seppeltsfield Winery. Founded in 1851, Seppeltsfield is one of Australia's oldest wineries and best known for its signature wine, a 100-year-old Para Tawny port-style wine.
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"Oscar will complete the grand vision of our tourism master plan for Seppeltsfield to become the most desirable epicurean destination for tourists worldwide," Seppeltsfield owner Warren Randall told The Lead South Australia. "We wanted to create a national icon for South Australia—a Sydney Opera House for the Barossa.”
The hotel will be positioned in the middle of the Great Terraced Vineyard, surrounded by century-old bush vines, a short walking distance to the Seppeltsfield tourism village.
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The bold structure is set to have 12 floors and 70 rooms, including suites and penthouses, with a private balcony for every room, plus a sky bar perched on the roof for sipping the area's vino with a sweeping view of the vines. The building will also be home to a day spa, restaurant, and boardroom.
According to the architects behind the project, Intro, the inspiration came from watching the workers in the vine. "The design philosophy was born watching the experienced craftsmen wield their tools, as they contort and convex each timber stave into an iconic, recognizable form—the barrel. This icon represents the many facets and complexities of the Seppeltsfield history," the design firm explained in a statement.
While wine enthusiasts have a little while to wait until they can make a reservation, the vineyard currently has a guided virtual tour experience on its website.
