Category Archives: Victoria

Great Western/Stawell, Victoria

St. Bernard Vineyard, Stawell. (Victoria).

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P. Gambetta, St Bernard Vineyard, Stawell.

P. Gambetta, St Bernard Vineyard, Stawell. Hock Label. c1890s
P. Gambetta, St Bernard Vineyard, Stawell. Hock Label. c1890s

The original label above was part of a group of labels that had been in a printers sample folder from Niven & Co, Ballarat. The various labels dated from the late 1880s to about 1903 and the Federation promoting Australian Coat of Arms on this one put it firmly in the 1890s to early 1900s period.  On first glance the name of the proprietor appears to be Gambella but further research confirms that Peter Gambetta was the vigneron in question.

From the Horsham Times, Tuesday 9th June 1931, Page 4.

“The death occurred on Friday, at the age of 89 years, of one of Stawell’s oldest residents, Mr Peter Gambetta, who has been a resident of this district for more than half a century. Born in Ticino, Italy.  Mr. Gambetta came to Victoria 71 years ago and was one of the hardy pioneers who took part in the Stawell gold-rush. Satisfied with the prospects offered by this district after the goldfields had ceased to boom, the late Mr. Gambetta applied himself to the wine business, and became a successful vigernon, planting St. Bernard vineyard on the Campbell’s Bridge road in 1871. At other times he engaged in farming and grazing, and at the time of the gold-boom he had carried out a great-deal of carting from the Darlington, Deep Lead and other mines to the Welshmen’s Battery. The late Mr. Gambetta finally retired about 14 years ago, settling down after his retirement in Stawell.”

Victoria, Yarra Valley

Glenlinton Vineyard, Whittlesea (Victoria)

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Glenlinton Claret Bottle

Glenlinton Vineyard, Whittlesea, Claret. Proprietor: R. E. Dawson. 46 Prize Awards.

Firstly, the bottle itself here looks to be about 1900s-1910s. However given bottles were commonly re-used for years during the early 20th century the label could be anything up to the 1930s. Trawling the records might lead to a rough idea when Glenlinton had in the vicinity of 46 Prizes as stated on the label!

Robert Ernest Dawson bought the Glenlinton property in 1902 and sold in 1937. Although the news reports found so far are brief it appears that the vineyard expanded pretty strongly until the late 1920s. Undoubtedly the depression slowed business and although only a guess, the death of Dawson’s eldest son Leigh in September 1929 at the age of 26 could well have  derailed any succession planning. News reports show that 1935 was the final vintage.  R. E. Dawson described as an ex vigneron died at Black Rock on 16th December 1945. During his life he had also been appointed as a Magistrate in 1910, and to the Royal Agricultural Society in 1935.

A few articles:

The Argus (Melbourne), Saturday 10th April 1926. Page 18.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3744717

The vintage of Mr. R. E. Dawson’s Glenlinton vineyard promises well, and picking should commence shortly. The wine from Mr. Dawson’s cellar has gained many prizes, and is sought after by many on account of its good quality.

The Australasian (Melbourne), Saturday 8th May 1926. Page 15.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page11891040

Mr. R. E. Dawson’s Glenlinton vineyard is situated near Whittlesea, and covers a little more than 50 acres. Each year Mr. Dawson plants out fresh areas and has replaced some of his fruit trees with vines, the returns from which are more profitable. More cellar accommodation has recently been provided. Picking for the season is now in full swing.

The Advertiser (Hurstbridge), Friday 11th November 1927. Page 2S

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57762257

PAST WHITTLESEA SHOWS.
…Mr. R. E. Dawson, of “Glenlinton” Vineyard, supplies the wines, and is always prominent in the wine section in connection with the Royal Show.

The Advertiser (Hurstbridge), Friday 12th April 1929. Page 4.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57759587

WHITTLESEA: All hands are busy taking off the crop of grapes at the annual vintage at Mr. R. E. Dawson’s “Glenlinton” vineyard at Humevale.

The Advertiser (Hurstbridge), Friday 25th April 1930. Page 8.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57762257

The vintage at Mr. R. E. Dawson’s Glenlinton vineyard at Humevale is now in full swing. The prospects are good.

The Advertiser (Hurstbridge), Friday 26th April 1935. Page 2.

Humevale: The continued rain is delaying vintage operations at the Glenlinton Vineyard.

The Advertiser (Hurstbridge), Friday 22nd May 1935. Page 4

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56658430

About People. General satisfaction is expressed in the Whittlesea and Arthur’s Creek district at the appointment of Mr R. E. Dawson, J.P. of Glenlinton Vineyard, Whittlesea, to the council of the Royal Agricultural Society. Although Mr Dawson was appointed on the nomination of the Viticultural Association of Victoria to look after the interests of the vignerons of the State he has taken an active part in all local affairs for many years, having been president of the Whittlesea Agricultural Society, vice president of the District Football Association, and occupied several other leading positions. For some years he took an active part in the preparation of the Whittlesea district exhibit at the Royal Agricultural show and has been an annual exhibitor of wines at that show. He has a stud flock of Border Leicester sheep, and prior to the war was an exporter of apples to the English and German markets, so that he is a good all-round producers’ man. It is gratifying to the district that it has now direct representation on the governing body of the Royal Agricultural show.

The Argus (Melbourne), Friday 17th January 1936. Page 11S

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11874187

The last remaining vineyard in what may be termed the Lilydale belt within a radius of 30 miles from Melbourne was not pruned this year, and there is every indication that this vineyard, “Glenlinton,” Whittlesea, has made its last vintage.

The Argus (Melbourne), Saturday 24th April 1937. Page 4

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11059102

FRIDAY, APRIL 30. 1937.
At Half-past Three O’clock, Scott’s Hotel,
Melbourne.
By Public Auction.
GLENLINTON, WHITTLESEA; 325 Acres,
A well-improved, good grazing property, with vineyard of 40 acres, having an excellent reputation for the production of the best light wines.
AUSTRALIAN MERCANTILE, LAND. AND FINANCE CO. LTD (Incorporating J. M. Peck and Sons) have been favoured with Instructions from R. E. Dawson, Esq., to offer as above Glenlinton, situate Humevale, 30 miles G.P.O., and within close proximity of Whittlesea railway station.
Very nice homestead, beautifully situated, and constructed of concrete and W.B., containing 9 large rooms, large hall, wide verandah, sleep-out, E.L., H. and C. water, nice garden, water laid on; stables, sheepyards. and dip; all necessary outbuildings.
Well fenced and subdivided into 14 paddocks, abundantly watered by 7 dams, 2 underground and 3 elevated tanks, windmill, &c.; 50 acres fallow, and about 80 acres sown down.
40 acres vines, extensive cellarage, complete wine making plant, and about 18,000 gallons of caskage, Glenlinton is celebrated as producing the best light wines, claret, hock, and chablis in Victoria of late years, exactly similar in climate and type to the famous Upper Yarra wines of 20 to 50 years ago. Whenever exhibited at the Royal Show, Glenlinton wine has been among the prize takers. There is always a good demand from wine merchants for the Glenlinton vintages, and Mr. Dawson at present has sold right out.
This attractive property is for genuine sale, having been in present owner’s possession for 35 years, and is most adaptable for grazing and the raising of fat lambs; most desirable for a city man requiring a good country home, handy to Melbourne.
For Further Particulars, Terms, &c., Apply to
AUSTRALIAN MERCANTILE, LAND, AND
FINANCE CO. LTD.
(Incorporated in England),
122 William Street, Melbourne