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SEPPELTS CHAMPAGNE CELLARS
36 CEMETERY ROAD GREAT WESTERN, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Register
SEPPELTS CHAMPAGNE CELLARS SOHE 2008
SEPPELTS CHAMPAGNE CELLARS SOHE 2008
SEPPELTS CHAMPAGNE CELLARS SOHE 2008
h00338 1 seppelts champagne cellars moyston road great western vinelodge residence she program 2004
h00338 seppelts champagne cellars moyston road great western shaft house she program 2004
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Statement of Significance

The Champagne Cellars at the Great Western Vineyards, a network of underground barrel vaulted 'drives' cut out from decomposed granite, were commenced between 1868 and 1870 by Joseph Best, English-born founder of the vineyards.

Four drives were constructed by 1878 and subsequently extended by local miners under direction of Hans Irvine, a celebrated businessman who acquired the vineyard in 1888. The Great Western Vineyards, founded by pioneer vigneron Joseph Best, were developed by Hans Irvine into Victoria’s premier champagne producing establishment.

The champagne cellars, providing some 6 kilometres of rack space in 1960, are unique in Victoria with an atmosphere compatible with the mystique of champagne production. The tunnels have been opened by various distinguished personalities including Lord Hopetoun, Dame Nellie Melba and various governors of Victoria. The great western vineyard underground cellars or 'drives' have been progressively extended by Hans Irvine (1888-1918) and by the house of Seppelt since that time.

[Source: Register of the National Estate]

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    • History

      SEPPELTS CHAMPAGNE CELLARS - History

      Associated People: Assoc.People LORD HOPETOUN, DAME NELLIE MELBA
      Assoc.People LORD HOPETOUN, DAME NELLIE MELBA
      Assoc.People LORD HOPETOUN, DAME NELLIE MELBA

      Permit Exemptions

      SEPPELTS CHAMPAGNE CELLARS - Permit Exemptions

      General Exemptions:

      General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

      Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

      Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

      Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

      Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

Public contributions

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