Sevenhill Jesuit Mission Preserves 175-Year Legacy as Australia’s Last Jesuit-Owned Winery

In the Clare Valley of South Australia, the Sevenhill Jesuit Mission stands as a living testament to history, faith, and resilience. Founded in 1851 by Jesuit priests fleeing religious persecution in Silesia, then part of Prussia, the mission has maintained its traditions for 175 years. The Jesuits arrived after a four-month sea journey and a five-day trek from Port Adelaide, settling on land named after the seven hills of Rome. Their goal was to establish a German Catholic community where they could practice their faith freely.

The heart of the property is a Gothic Revival church that continues to serve local parishioners. Father Brendan Kelly, superior of the mission, leads rituals that have changed little over generations. He pours sacramental wine into a brass chalice, using wine grown, harvested, and fermented on site. This tradition began when the first Jesuits planted vines in 1851 to meet the need for altar wine. Today, Sevenhill is believed to be Australia’s last remaining Jesuit-owned winery.

Sevenhill Cellars now covers about one-third of the 300-hectare property with vineyards. Some Shiraz vines are around 160 years old and are still harvested for premium red blends. The winery produces about 400,000 bottles each year and operates as a not-for-profit organization. Its altar wine is exported to churches across Southeast Asia—including Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Timor, and Papua New Guinea—and sold domestically to Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican congregations.

The site attracts more than 40,000 visitors annually. Many come for the wines but also to experience the heritage buildings and sacred spaces like the crypt where 38 Jesuits are buried. Gary Tippet, a visitor from Melbourne, describes Sevenhill as more than just a winery; it is a place rich with history and meaning.

Despite its legacy, Sevenhill faces challenges common across the global wine industry. General manager Christian Fraser notes that oversupply and changing consumer preferences have put pressure on producers. Global consumption of wine is declining and prices for varieties like Shiraz remain low. The sector is experiencing consolidation as wineries adapt to these shifts.

Lee McLean, CEO of Australian Grape and Wine—which represents over 2,100 winemakers and 6,000 grape growers—describes the situation as a “structural crisis” caused by falling global demand and disruptions in trade with China. He warns that without careful management, these issues could cause lasting harm to regional communities.

To adapt, Sevenhill has diversified its offerings. Heritage-listed buildings now host accommodations and retreats in addition to wine production. Bishop Greg O’Kelly, who has researched Sevenhill’s history extensively, says visitors often remark on the sense of peace and connection they feel at the site. He points out that even the stones seem to tell stories about those who lived and worked there.

For Father Kelly and others at Sevenhill Jesuit Mission, maintaining this foundation is both a duty and a privilege. The mission remains a place where people can find welcome and reflection amid changing times for both faith communities and the wine industry.