The church and vineyards at Sevenhills Winery

Sevenhill
Tiny village settled by Jesuits in the 1850s.
Located 129 km north of Adelaide in the heart of the Clare Valley, Sevenhill is surrounded by vineyards and wineries. It is a tiny, inconsequential settlement which is overwhelmed by the activities which surround it.

Sevenhill was settled in the early 1850s. In 1848 a group of Austrian Jesuits led by Father Aloysius Kranewitter left Vienna and travelled to South Australia. They decided to settle in the Clare Valley and named their location 'Sevenhill' after the famous seven hills of Rome, the holy city.

In South Australia: What's in a Name? the story is told that 'The establishment of the college was indirectly due to the emigration of a wealthy German landholder, a Roman Catholic who came from Silesia. When he left the Fatherland he gave all his servants the opportunity to do likewise, providing their fares, and allowing them to replay him when they could afford it. He chartered a vessel, solely for his party, and asked the Archbishop of Munich to send a priest as chaplain. The Archbishop consulted with the General of the Jesuits, with the result that two Jesuit fathers, the first who came to Australia, were sent. One of them returned ere long; the Rev. Aloysius Kranewitter, remained and purchased the section on which the college now stands.'

Kranewitter was extraordinarily enterprising. In the early days the Jesuits and their workers carried butter to the miners in the Burra district and later Kranewitter went to the Victorian goldfields where his good works were recognised by gifts of gold from the miners. It was with this gold that he established the Sevenhill complex.

A sculpture of Mary and Jesus at Sevenhills Winery

Realising the potential of the area, and recognising the need for good quality altar wine in both the colony and overseas, the Jesuits planted their grapes and started to produce wine. The settlement expanded with the establishment of a college (St Aloysius College still stands near the cellars. It was built in 1875 to cater for the sons of colonial Catholics. It is no longer in operation.)

Today the village is on the Main North Road and is surrounded by a large number of vineyards which turn the countryside green in summertime and golden in autumn.

Things to see:  

Riesling Trail
This is a truly fascinating recent tourist attraction. The old railway line between Auburn and Clare has been carefully covered over with easy-to-walk-on gravel and opened up as the Riesling Trail. The idea is that people can walk or cycle up the Clare Valley away from the main road. They can experience the quiet beauty of the area and, eventually, there will be numerous sideways off the main Trail which will encourage visitors to divert to wineries and craft shops. At the moment it is just a very charming and pleasant walkway/cycleway. Bicycles can be hired in Clare.

Black Eagle Hotel
This historic hotel (really the only building of consequence in the village) was built in 1863 by Father Kranewitter's brother. It is said that it once had a huge mural which was painted by an artist who was only inspired when he was drunk. A later landlord didn't like the painting and had it painted over.

Neagles Rock Lookout
Located 4 km west of Sevenhill this lookout offers excellent views across the Clare Valley and puts the richness of the wine and vineyard culture into impressive perspective.

Autumn in the Clare Valley vineyards

Wineries
Sevenhills Cellars
Located to the east of Sevenhill on College Road this is probably the most famous vineyard in the Clare Valley. It was established in 1851 by the Jesuits and is still run by the Jesuits. While it specialises in red and white table wines it also produces and exports altar wines. Its wines are derived from cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, Merlot, riesling, semillon, tokay, Verdelho, traminer, Grenache, Touriga, frontignac, cabernet franc, ruby cabernet and Pedro grapes. It is open Monday-Saturday (closed Sundays and religious festivals) for tastings and sales. Tours are by appointment. For more details contact (08) 8843 4222.

Eldredge Wines
Located on Spring Gully Road west of Sevenhill this 53 hectare winery was established in 1994 and specialises in red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese, riesling and shiraz grapes as well as other grapes which are bought locally. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8842 3086.

Stringy Brae Wines
Located to the south-west of Sevenhill this 6 hectare winery was established in 1993 and specialises in red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling and shiraz grapes. It is open on weekends for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8843 4313.

Skillogalee Wines
Located on Hughes Park Road to the south-west of Sevenhill this small winery was established in 1970 and specialises in red and white table wines, port, muscat and sparkling riesling derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, traminer, muscat, cabernet franc, malbec, shiraz and chardonnay grapes. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8843 4311.

Thorn Park near Sevenhills Winery

Jeanneret Wines
Located on Jeanneret Road to the south-west of Sevenhill this small winery was established in 1994 and specialises in premium red and white table wines and sparkling wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, muscat, semillon and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8843 4308.

Mitchell Wines
Located on Hughes Park Road to the south-west of Sevenhill this small winery was established in 1975 and specialises in red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, Grenache and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8843 4258.

Waninga Wines
Located on Hughes Park Road to the south-west of Sevenhill this small winery was established in 1974 and specialises in red and white table wines and fortified wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, riesling, semillon, chenin blanc, shiraz and chardonnay grapes. It is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8843 4395.

	Cottages & Cabins
	Miss Nobels Cottage Quarry Rd P.O. Box 220 Sevenhill SA 5453 Telephone: (08) 8843 4326 or (08) 8843 0020 Facsimile: (08) 8843 0020 Rating: ***
	Windermere Cottages Willow Glen Rd P.O. Box 1256 Sevenhill SA 5453 Telephone: (08) 8843 4270