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THE historic Knappstein Wines site in the Clare Valley is en-route to being one of the snazziest cellar door facilities in South Australia. The first of three newly renovated cellar door venues on the heritage-listed site has just been launched with two more on the way. The new Knappstein tasting room is now open to the public and more than triples Knappstein’s tasting room capacity. Later in 2020, the Knappstein wine lounge and underground cellar venue will be unveiled. This is the first major renovation of the property in the last 15 years and spans the entirety of the heritage-listed Enterprise Brewery building first established in 1878.
Knappstein Wines’ Tania Matz feels the renovations will breathe new life to the property and Knappstein brand.
“We’re thrilled with the renovations,” she said. “It’s exciting to now have a cellar door that matches Knappstein’s rich history and enviable winemaking reputation.”
The new cellar door sales and tasting room has moved from the north side of the Enterprise Brewery to the long frontage of the building, giving visitors a more expansive space to enjoy a Knappstein tasting experience.
The focal point of the room is a long granite tasting bench to be used for guided tastings. In the south end of the room is a seating area, giving guests the space to relax with a glass of wine or a ‘build your own’ platter with fresh produce from local providores.
The north end of the room is sectioned off by a floor-to-ceiling display, creating a semi-private area for large group tastings and events. The design of the renovations highlights the room’s original features, like the structural timber beams in the bulkhead and original sandstone facade of the building.
Knappstein’s new wine lounge, to be opened later this year, takes over the site’s original tasting room and repurposes the space into a cosy retreat for guests.
Visitors can access the wine lounge through the new tasting room, or via the north side of the building, allowing for the space to be used as a private venue for small events.
For the first time in the property’s history, Knappstein will open to the public its underground cellar. Accessed through the main stairs of the new wine lounge, the underground cellar will be a unique space for Knappstein’s major events, live music performance, private tastings, and dinner functions.
Towards the back of the cellar, Knappstein has created an exclusive museum display room to house the winery’s back vintages. The brand has had several owners over the past three decades.
Due to Covid-19 venue restrictions, Knappstein’s cellar door sales and tasting room is currently limited to 40 guests maximum for seated tastings only. For information visit www.knappstein.com.au.