The journey of Seppelt Salinger began in 1986, crafted under the expert guidance of Ian McKenzie, who aimed to create a premium Australian sparkling wine that could rival the best in the world. Deeply inspired by the great Champagnes of France, our Salinger is crafted using traditional methods, revered for its ability to create wines with complexity, finesse and a fine mousse that lightly tickles the tongue. It is the value of Seppelt Salinger that has garnered her critical recognition from industry leaders and a cult-like following that has transcended generations.

So what is Méthode Traditionnelle?
When asked this we often reply with, ‘It’s made in the bottle’ but there is so much more to it.
This time-honoured technique begins with the production of a base wine. This base wine is produced with the distinctive Seppelt Salinger blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes to create a still wine. This base wine is naturally light, high in acidity and low in alcohol, forming the foundation of the bubbles to come.
This is where the ‘made in the bottle’ comes in, as the base wine is then bottled with yeast blend initiating a secondary fermentation within the bottle. This fermentation produces carbon dioxide that creates distinctly fine Salinger bubbles. The wine is aged on lees for three years, during which it is gradually tilted and rotated— a process once done by hand, but our ‘riddlers’ have since been replaced by machines. This ageing process imparts rich, creamy and nutty notes, reminiscent of freshly baked bread.
Finally, the yeast is removed and a small amount of dosage, which is a formulation made by our winemaker is added to the bottle which will determine the wine’s final sweetness. Seppelt Salinger like many traditionally produced sparkling wines, is made in the Brut style, preserving the distinctive cool-climate dryness that the Henty region is famous for. The final result is a wine praised for its balanced and sophisticated profile that features vibrant citrus and apple aromas with subtle hints of brioche and nuts framed by a fine mousse and a crisp finish.
Critical acclaim for Seppelt Salinger has been consistently high, with the 2018 vintage standing out in particular. It is lauded by The Real Review as one of Australia’s best value sparkling wines offering complexity and refinement at an accessible price. This wine is renowned for its value, with Halliday’s Wine Companion commending Salinger for its quality that far exceeds its price while highlighting its unrivalled affordability in the sparkling wine category.
Seppelt Salinger continues to be a testament to the art of traditional sparkling winemaking, offering a superbly crafted wine that embodies the elegance and excellence of premium wine at an accessible price. In every bottle of Seppelt Salinger, you experience not just a sparkling wine, but a legacy that has been refined and cherished over the years, making it a true gem in the world of Australian sparkling wines.