THE AUSTRALIAN ARK – Federation to the Modern Era | 1900–1982
Scene at Irvine’s vineyard, Great Western, Victoria with barrels of wine, 1905. [Mr Charles Pierlot, Great Western, Victorian Collections]
When ailing vigneron Samuel McWilliam died in 1902, he stipulated that his Sunnyside Vineyard should be leased for three years after his death, with the rent being shared equally over those three years between his four daughters. In 1903, Eliza Jane McWilliam, aged 37, and two of her three sisters, Rose May and Mary, returned to Corowa and took over the running of the vineyard and winery in time for the 1903 vintage. According to Sydney’s Evening News , the growing season had been marked by hot scorching winds in early December that shrivelled the grapes, and the McWilliams had only mustered 2,000 gallons from 60 acres, and another woman, Mrs Meyer, had yielded ‘practically nil’. Many vignerons in the area had picked their fruit and made wine at a loss. The following year, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that ‘[c]lose to Corowa, Miss McWilliam manages an 80-acre vineyard on behalf of her sisters and herself. The vineyard, established by the late Mr McWilliam, is in good condition and Miss McWilliam’s first year of office has been signalised by a very full vintage. The vintage was put through in good style and Miss McWilliam had no trouble with the numerous people employed. She engaged boys at 18s per week and found them excellent pickers and most reliable. The wines are of the full-bodied, sweet kinds and the manageress is evidently capable of keeping up the reputation of the cellars.’
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