RUTHERGLEN WINERY CO DISTILLERY 55

106-108 BARKLY STREET RUTHERGLEN, INDIGO SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    RUTHERGLEN WINERY CO DISTILLERY 55 - History

    The buildings are associated with the Rutherglen Winery Co and are likely to have been constructed in 1896 and ceased operation as a coinery in 1926 when it became a storage facility. In 1947 the buildings were converted to manufacture bicycle saddles, but was sold in 1955 and has since been abandoned.

    Lloyd and Kennedy 2007:133 write that in 1893:

    .members of the Rutherglen Vinegrowers' Association formed a wine company to protect the reputation of the Ruthergle product, because of the large quantity of poor quality wine made by small growers was having a detrimental effect upon the industry and the idea was that the comapcny would purchase it and turn it into brandy.

    Lloyd and Kennedy (2007:133-134) also provide a useful chronology. In summary:

    § 1893 Prospectus for Rutherglen Wine and Brandy co. 25000 shares at two shillings

    § 1894 extra shareholders J. Wallace

    § Purchase of site near town, including a railway siding, building designed by Allan Buckley (the property backs onto the Wahgunyah railway line

    § Plant in place 1896

    § 1897 Rutherglen Winery co opened

    § 1897-88 78000 gallons of wine sold

    § 1899 2000 gallons of brandy sold in Melbourne

    § 1903 move to wind up the company

    § 1920 company running down

    § Closed down and taken over by Vidals as storage only

    § No further distilling, company closes down in the 1930s due to the Depression

    Today, the site is in ruins but appears to be in the process of being renovated as part of the adjoining winery.

    Interpretation of Site

    RUTHERGLEN WINERY CO DISTILLERY 55 - Interpretation of Site

    The site was inspected from the road only and appeared to be in relatively intact condition, although a lot of the brick work had been removed and stockpiled; probably as a result of recent renovations. Otherwise there was no other excavation on the property that would impact on sub-surface features. Given the company background for the distillery and latter use as storage it is likely that most artefact material relating to the former would have been removed and sold, although potential of sub-surface and structural features remains (pending current changes).

    Archaeological Significance

    RUTHERGLEN WINERY CO DISTILLERY 55 - Archaeological Significance

    The site is of medium significance, as a relatively intact example of a late 19th century winery, with high archaeological potential for sub-surface features and less so for artefact material relating to the late and 19th century wine making and brandy distilling. Further assessment and analysis may reveal the original plan and design of the property, allowing a better understanding of the ideas prevalent within the Rutherglen Wine company, given the towns prominence within Victoria's wine industry, as well as further a field.

    Historical Significance

    RUTHERGLEN WINERY CO DISTILLERY 55 - Historical Significance

    The site is of importance as the pioneering enterprise of the Rutherglen Vingrowers Association (and as a result more broadly across Victoria), set up by some of the most prominent local businessmen and winegrowers of the latter 19th century. Its chief purpose was to unify the wine growers of the region. However although Lloyd and Kennedy (2007:134) note that at the start of the 20th century the Winery Co "continued as unifying influence, it was never an important factor in the industry".

    Heritage Inventory Description

    RUTHERGLEN WINERY CO DISTILLERY 55 - Heritage Inventory Description

    The site was inspected from Barkly Street, and . consists of 2 separate, parallel 2-storey buildings running N-S, as described on the original Heritage Inventory. The front of the buildings and surrounding vegetation was fully visible. Both were made of brick with a pitched corrugated iron roof and in a ruinous state. Both appeared vacant at the time. There was some evidence of restoration. Bricks were stockpiled in several areas, but there was no excavation at the front of the building. Note though that the back of the building was not inspected at all, as there was no access.

    Brandy distillery built in 1896. Site consists of two separate, parallel, two storey buildings, oriented north-south The western building is approx. 10 x 36 m with 4 main rooms, and a 5th room added on the SE

    Heritage Inventory Significance: State

    Recorded by: J. Harrington Date Recorded: 24OCT1994

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