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Château Dore
303 Mandurang Road and 108 Nankervis Road MANDURANG, GREATER BENDIGO CITY

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Statement of Significance

What is significant?

The Château Dore Winery, including all the fabric of the large sandstone buildings of c.1860, and c. 1890, house c.1860, former blacksmith's shop and buggy shed, adjacent grounds including the peppercorn, olive, pecan nut trees and vineyard is significant.

How is it significant?

The Château Dore Winery is of local historical, social, technical and architectural significance to the City of Greater Bendigo.

Why is it significant?

Château Dore Winery is historically significant as an example of a range of agricultural industries that were introduced into Victoria by European immigrants, and fostered as a result of gold mining. The winery is also of historic significance for its long association with the settlement of European vignerons in the region. The De Ravin family, originally from France, are associated with the site from its inception in the 1860s to re-establishment by descendant Ivan Grose in 1975. In particular the winery is notable for its association with founder Jean Theodore De Ravin. De Ravin, together with John Billman and John Hargreaves, saw an opportunity to provide the gold diggings with local produce. De Ravin was also a prominent member of the local community, and was associated with more than forty mining companies.

The replanting of vines at Château Dore Winery is also important for its contribution to an understanding of an ongoing tradition of grape growing in the Bendigo region and the setbacks associated with the Phylloxera vastatrix outbreak in nineteenth century Victoria. Criterion A

Château Dore is of aesthetic significance as a rare and substantial group of winery buildings. Although the verandah and red and cream brick porch at the front are recent additions in complementary style, the original buildings, which date from the 1860s, are in good condition. Originally built of local sandstone with a timber shingle and later corrugated iron roof, the large group of stone buildings is architecturally and aesthetically significant as a substantial and distinctive winery complex. Criterion D.

The Château Dore Winery is also of scientific (technical) significance for its demonstration of nineteenth century agricultural and wine making infrastructure. Criterion F

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    • Physical Description 1

      Château Dore - Physical Description 1

      Château Dore is an extensive group of sandstone winery buildings built in several stages from the 1860s to the 1890s. The original buildings were designed by a Mr Buick of Bendigo and the contractor was George Pallet.[1] Extensive cellars are below both stages of the buildings. The building now consists of three gables built as the original structure and a transverse gable built in the 1893 [2]. A small structure covers the external stairs to the cellars and there is a blacksmiths shop (now converted to toilets) and a buggy shed.

      The sandstone walling is offset with brick dressings to the windows, including the circular windows in the gable ends . The interior has flagging to the floors and contains the original roof structure of trusses. In the front gable evidence remains of the earlier timber shingle roof although this is now covered with corrugated iron.

      Also on the site is a house dating from 1860s. This has undergone renovations and is of secondary interest. The verandah was built in 1992 to the design of Architect Michael Hughestogether with the red and cream brick porch that serves as a foyer to the reception room [3]. The whole complex is set in landscaped grounds with a number of old trees, and those planted approximately 40 years ago. These include peppercorns, a pecan nut and olive trees which are thought to have been planted in the 1800s. [4]

      [1] De Ravin diary held by the owners Ivan and Jan Grose

      [2] Information from present owners, Ivan and Jan Grose

      [3] Information from present owners, Ivan and Jan Grose

      [4] Information from present owners, Ivan and Jan Grose

      Physical Conditions

      Château Dore - Physical Conditions

      Good

      Integrity

      Château Dore - Integrity

      Altered

      Historical Australian Themes

      Château Dore - Historical Australian Themes

      4.0 Transforming the land

      4.4 Farming

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Greater Bendigo - Former Shires of McIvor and Strathfieldsaye Heritage Study

      Author: Context P/L
      Year: 2008
      Grading: Local

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