Piesse Brook Winery

Statement of Significance

·         The site has historic value for its association with the soldier settlement scheme and for its association with the establishment of the wine industry in the region

Physical Description

Original 1919 house now demolished. Winery is housed in a shed of simple form and construction, built from concrete blocks with weatherboard gables and corrugated metal gabled roof. There is an addition to the NE elevation built of similar construction. Further skillion roofed section on the north elevation (an enclosed former verandah) of timber framed and weatherboard construction on a stone base. Additional plant and machinery located around the building.
To the south of the main shed/winery a more modern building of brick construction with a dominant glazed façade.
The built form is constructed on the rise of the land with views over the vines on the lower scarps.

Integrity/Authenticity

Level of Integrity - Moderate; Level of Authenticity - Low

Condition

Good At the end of the First World War, the discharged Soldiers Settlement Act of 1918 initiated a scheme to settle returned soldiers on the land. One of the areas chosen for settlement was along the Piesse Brook. In order to establish their orchards, settlers relied on loans and advanced payments from the Agricultural Bank. Since fruit trees took five years or more to bear enough fruit to sell, settlers often found it impossible to meet loan repayments and the scheme foundered. The Great Depression increased the burden and the Government was forced to foreclose on many of the properties. This landholding was one of the first soldier settlement properties. It was taken up by Harry Bateman in 1919. The house Bateman built was demolished and the materials used by subsequent owner Mick Boyanich, one of the first settlers in the district originally from central Europe. The property was the first commercial vineyard in the area starting in 1974.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.