Our Story
Château Tanunda, Icon of the Barossa, was established in 1890 and is the site of some of the Barossa Valley’s first vines planted, as well as its first winery. The majestic bluestone winery and vineyards are a living testament to the colourful history and spirit of Australia’s most famous wine region.
Now, thanks to the passion and dedication of the Geber family, this 130-year-old Barossa estate is celebrated amongst the top winemaking estates in Australia.
Led by the rare and collectable ‘Old Vine Expressions’ and ‘The Everest wines’, Château Tanunda is internationally recognised for producing some of the best wines in the world. The signature ‘The Everest Shiraz’ and ‘100 Year Old Vines Shiraz ‘ are treasured by wine critics, wine lovers, and wine collectors alike.
130 Years of Winemaking
Château Tanunda’s success is the Barossa’s success.
Château Tanunda’s origins trace back to the onset of phylloxera in Europe’s vineyards. Sensing an opportunity, the founder’s grand vision was to build a Château dedicated to crafting fine-quality wines to share with the world. At the time, Australia was home to many small wineries, but the vision was to create the first winemaking Château in Australia that would rival the French in production and quality. Château Tanunda would become the largest winery in the Southern Hemisphere at the time, and the beginning of winemaking in Australia in earnest. European immigrants had been planting vines in the Barossa since the 1840s, so the region was a natural choice. The resulting wines, made from grapes produced by 560 local growers (paid a pound per gallon – a substantial sum at the time), were shipped to a wine-starved Europe.
For years it was the heart of Barossa winemaking. A veritable “Ivy League” of Australian winemakers worked or studied at Château Tanunda, including Prof. Soebels, Australia’s first qualified Oenologist; Bill Seppelt; Grant Burge; Robert O”Callaghan, Geoff Merrill and others. In recognition of its rich history, Château Tanunda is on the Register of State Heritage Places and was the winery to produce the 1972 Jimmy Watson Trophy winner. Abandoned by its then-owner, Australian wine giant Southcorp, the property was a shell of its former glory until John Geber chanced upon the site. Since 1998 John and his family have been breathing new life into the Château, revitalising the site and the Château Tanunda brand. It is again recognised amongst the elite of Australian wine producers and exports to over 30 countries around the world.
“The rebirth of Château Tanunda is one of the most remarkable stories of the Australian wine industry.”
– Huon Hooke
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