Welcome to JISA Sevenhill
Sevenhill is situated on the land of the Ngadjuri people.
‘Come away to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ Mark 6.30
JISA Sevenhill offers a unique space for prayer and contemplation. Our grounds, shrines, walking paths and the surrounding vineyard offer an idyllic and contemplative setting for deepening your experience of God.
Our ministry is focused on the giving of Ignatian retreats in the tradition of St Ignatius of Loyola, the author of the Spiritual Exercises, and offering hospitality to individuals and groups seeking a space for quiet and reflection.
JISA Sevenhill is a 25-bed retreat and function centre nestled among the idyllic scenery of the historic Sevenhill Cellars and vineyard, the oldest winery in South Australia’s Clare Valley, and the birthplace of the Jesuits in Australia.
Our story →
RETREATS
Located in the oldest winery of the Clare Valley, JISA Sevenhill centre is an idyllic setting to “come and get some rest”. There are several options to choose from and you can always talk to us if you need some extra help.
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CONFERENCES
If you need to hold a conference, workshop or a larger meeting, our facilities are just right. Catering and accommodation available. Please contact us wtih your specific requirements.
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OUR FACILITIES
Sevenhill has 25 rooms including ensuite facilities across the Old College and La Storta an adjacent farm property. In addition, the La Storta property includes The Barn, a flexible space complete with commercial kitchen for hosting large groups and functions.
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Retreats
SILENT DIRECTED RETREATS
Located in the oldest winery of the Clare Valley, JISA Sevenhill centre is an idyllic setting to “come and get some rest”. Offering five, six or eight-day silent retreats in an environment of silence and prayer, these retreats facilitate a person’s deepening relationship with God. A spiritual director will meet with you each day and in gentle conversation will discern with you how God is at work in your prayer. The retreats begin in the evening of the first day and end with breakfast on the final day.
These retreats are usually based on Sacred Scripture and there is opportunity for participation in a daily Eucharist.
Silent Directed retreats are offered on the following dates:
2023
| Retreat | Dates |
| 4 Day Silent Directed Retreat – Booked out | 3 Mar – 8 Mar |
| 8 Day Silent Directed Retreat | 17 Mar – 26 Mar |
| 6 Day Silent Directed Retreat – Booked out | 14 Apr – 21 Apr |
| 4 Day Silent Directed Retreat – Booked out | 5 May – 10 May |
| 6 Day Silent Directed Retreat | 28 Jul- 4 Aug |
| 8 Day Silent Directed Retreat | 25 Aug – 3 Sep |
| 4 Day Silent Directed Retreat | 15 Sep – 20 Sep |
| 8 Day Silent Directed Retreat | 1 Dec – 10 Dec |
FULL SPIRITUAL EXERCISES
In 2023, Sevenhill offers the ’30-Day Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life’ twice. The exercitant will be guided through the “four” weeks as recommended by St Ignatius. Commonly, the focus on the exercises is on making major, life-changing decisions in one’s life. However, an exercitant may wish to nurture one’s prayer and relationship with God through this method. This retreat runs of 33day/34 nights.
2023
| Retreat | Dates |
| The 30-Day Full Spiritual Exercises | Monday 5 Jun – Sunday 9 Jul |
| The 30-Day Full Spiritual Exercises | Monday 16 Oct – Sunday 19 Nov |
Conferences
JISA Sevenhill provides a variety of spaces for conference purposes. Whether a small group or large, you will be made most welcome.We are able to accommodate groups of 25 overnight and can liaise with further accommodation locally.Kitchen facilities allow us to cater for up to 60 guests in our conference settings. Excellent Audio Visual equipment is available.Accommodation Cost: $120 per night per person.Daytime conference facility hire costs vary depending on your requirements, please contact us for more information.We can help you to arrange transport for larger groups from Adelaide airport – please ask.
Our Facilities
Accommodation
Our retreat centre is in the middle of the oldest winery in the Clare Valley. It offers a unique place for prayer and contemplation. It has 24 single rooms, some of which are ensuites, the rest with shared bathroom facilities.Live-in retreats include all meals, bed linen and towels. Our grounds, shrines, walking paths and the surrounding vineyard create an environment conducive to encountering God in a restful and peaceful rural setting.
Chapel
Sevenhill has three chapels on site. The house chapel in the old College, the La Storta chapel, and the large St Aloysius Church provide atmospheric spaces for prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist.Built in the late 19th century, St Aloysius Church, is open daily between 10.00am and 4.00pm for prayer and located in the College grounds. Two smaller, intimate chapels, are located on the La Storta grounds and in the old College, are also available for prayer during the day.
Conference Centre
Located in La Storta grounds, The Barn, is a multi-purpose conference centre equipped with the latest smart board and projector and dining facility. It can hold up to 60 people and can cater for that number for lunch or dinner. The Barn is also used to host day groups.For The Barn bookings, contact sevenhill@jisa.org.au
LOCAL AREA MAP
Click Image below to navigate
LA STORTA GROUNDS MAP
Our Story
In 1848 two Austrian Jesuits accompanied a group of German-speaking migrants from Silesia (in modern day Poland) to South Australia. In 1850 Fr Aloysius Kranewitter SJ purchased land in the Clare Valley and named it Sevenhill after the famous ‘seven hills’ of Rome.
Within a few years a small community of Jesuits had established a small winery for the production of sacramental wine, commenced work on a college for boys, and the construction of a church. By 1870 the college was completed and served as a boarding school, seminary and Jesuit community residence. By the late 1870s the impressive St Aloysius Church and crypt was substantially complete. Today 41 Jesuits lie interred within the crypt.From Sevenhill the Jesuits expanded their mission to the settler communities in the north of Australia including a mission to the aboriginal communities of the Daly River in the Northern Territory.
Sevenhill also has close associations with Australia’s first saint, St Mary MacKillop. In 1871 Mary stayed on the property and visited the college where her brothers Donald and Peter were students. In time Donald became a Jesuit and served as superior of the Daly River mission. Mary’s spiritual mentor Julian Tennyson Woods was also a seminarian in the college.In the 1880s the Austrian mission to Australia ended and Sevenhill became part of the Irish Jesuit Mission and eventually the Jesuit Province of Australia.
Today Jesuits continue to serve in the retreat and parish ministries.In the 1970s, Fr Ted O’Connor SJ began conducting retreats for individuals and groups within the college. In 1990s and 2000s Sevenhill’s reputation as a space for retreats started to grow.
In 2006 the centre was augmented by the purchase of the La Storta farm property and houses providing an additional 10 rooms and a barn space suited to providing corporate hospitality.Today the JISA Sevenhill has 25 rooms with a mixture of ensuite and shared accommodation.
Sevenhill Cellars
At Sevenhill Cellars, the first winery established in South Australia’s Clare Valley, you can enjoy distinctive, estate-grown wines and experience our notable heritage and spiritual character.Sevenhill Cellars is owned by the Australian Jesuits, and was first set up by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1851 to produce sacramental wine. While this tradition continues today, Sevenhill is also highly regarded for its premium table wines, which are recognised for the regional qualities that have put the Clare Valley on the world stage.
Visit Sevenhill Cellars website →
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