The Colonial Winemakers: Viniculture and Wine Production in the New South Wales Cumberland Plains 1788-1888

Abstract

This thesis analyses the early land grants of the Cumberland Plains. Using historical research and site visits, it identifies 34 properties where there is evidence for historical vineyard use. The historical archaeology of vineyard and winery features is presented within a defined study area and provides an overview detailed mapping of viticulture. Through the correlation of landscape features common on these historical vineyard sites, a set of markers that can be used to identify past vineyard plantings was developed. These markers include terrain and proximity to a homestead, trenching or terracing visible in the landscape, invasive olive species, proximity to water sources, cleared vegetation or remnant winery buildings or winemaking structures. These markers can be useful for historians and archaeologist in the future when Conservation Management Plans or Archaeological Management Plans are developed on historic properties with suspected areas of past vineyard plantings. This research discusses the figures of Australian history that were active in the development of theearly winemaking of the colony. They were also the winemakers that experienced the challenges of the Australian environment, with flood and drought cycles, as well as insect pests, a test to their emerging vine growing knowledge. The end of the age of vineyards in the Cumberland Plains was brought on by a combination of factors, the largest being the Phylloxera outbreak of 1877. Vines were removed and burnt in efforts to control the spread of the disease, and many farmers chose not to replant. During this period, the area was also subjected to the largest flood on record, with the flooding of the Nepean-Hawkesbury of 1867 causing widespread damage throughout the region. By the end of this period, the Hunter and other large, reliable, and seemingly ‘disaster proof’ winemaking regions such as the Barossa Valley had become established.