The first white settlers arrived in Australia in 1788 and brought grape vine cuttings with them. As migration to Australia continued to grow during the XIX Century more and more vine cuttings, viticulturists and winemakers from Britain, France, Germany, ltaly, Switzerland and Yugoslavia founded their businesses. Firstly, in the State of New South Wales (N.S.W.) and then in the States of South Australia (S.A.), Victoria (VIC), Western Australia (W.A.), Tasmania (TAS) and Queensland (Q’land).
Phylloxera and the 1914-18 and 1939-45 wars and their aftermaths curtailed the growth of viti and viniculture, but since the second half of the XX Century growth bas been quite rapid and has continued during the 1990s.
Author: IAN G. MACKLEY
Deputy Chairman, Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation
Presiding Member, Geographical Indications Committee