Sevenhill
A tiny historic hamlet built around the Jesuits' Sevenhill Cellars, the oldest winery in the Clare Valley.
Where Clare wine began
Sevenhill is where the Clare Valley's winemaking story started, when Austrian Jesuit priests planted vines in 1851 to make sacramental wine. They named the property after the seven hills of Rome, and Sevenhill Cellars - the oldest winery in the valley and the only Jesuit-owned winery left in Australia - still works from its bluestone buildings. Alongside it stands St Aloysius' Church, built from local stone between 1864 and 1875, with an atmospheric crypt that is the only walk-in crypt in South Australia.
A village among the vines
Around this historic heart cluster some of the region's most respected cellar doors, including Pikes Wines, Kilikanoon Wines, Jeanneret Wines and Good Catholic Girl Wines, where Riesling is the celebrated local hero. The landscape is gentle and green, threaded by Sevenhill Creek and the Riesling Trail, which follows an old railway line and is ideal for walking or cycling between tastings.
What visitors do
Days here revolve around slow tasting, heritage and country hospitality. Pause for a counter meal at the Sevenhill Hotel, pick up a pie at The Little Red Grape Bakery, or settle in at Thorn Park Country House or one of the Clare Valley Cabins.
Visiting Sevenhill - frequently asked questions
What is Sevenhill known for?
Sevenhill is best known as the birthplace of winemaking in the Clare Valley, where Jesuit priests planted vines in 1851 to produce sacramental wine. Today it is home to Sevenhill Cellars, the valley's oldest winery, along with St Aloysius' Church and a cluster of respected cellar doors such as Pikes Wines and Kilikanoon Wines.
How far is Sevenhill from Adelaide?
Sevenhill sits in the heart of the Clare Valley, roughly 130 kilometres north of Adelaide. The drive takes about an hour and a half, heading north out of the city and up through the valley. It is a short hop from the regional centre of Clare, just a few minutes further up the valley.
What is there to do in Sevenhill?
Most visitors come to taste wine at the area's cellar doors, with Riesling the local specialty, and to explore the historic Sevenhill Cellars, St Aloysius' Church and its crypt. The Riesling Trail passes nearby for walking and cycling between vineyards. You can also enjoy a meal at the Sevenhill Hotel or grab baked goods at The Little Red Grape Bakery.
When is the best time to visit Sevenhill?
Autumn and spring are generally the most comfortable times to visit, with mild days well suited to walking the Riesling Trail and lingering over tastings. The vintage period in late summer and autumn brings the vineyards to life, while winter is quieter and cooler. Many cellar doors are open year round, so check ahead for individual opening hours.
Can you visit St Aloysius' Church and its crypt at Sevenhill?
Yes. St Aloysius' Church, built from local stone between 1864 and 1875, stands beside Sevenhill Cellars and is generally open to visitors. Beneath it lies the only walk-in crypt in South Australia, the resting place of more than forty Jesuits who lived and worked at Sevenhill.
Things to do in Sevenhill
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Image credits
- St Aloysius Church, Sevenhill.JPG by Marionlad , CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons