Local Government
Victoria Plains
Region
Wheatbelt
Behanging Rd Wyening
REGISTERED AS PART OF 2968
Victoria Plains
Wheatbelt
Constructed from 1916, Constructed from 1914
Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
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Type | Status | Date | Documents |
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Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
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Category | Description | ||||
Classified by the National Trust | Recorded | 06 Aug 1973 |
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Heritage Council | |
Restrictive Covenant | YES |
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Heritage Council | ||
Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 27 Oct 1998 | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
The place is of exceptional significance for the associations with the Benedictine Monks and the wine industry. The winery is of exceptional significance for the associations with Bishop Torres, and the lay wine makers Valenz and Schwartzbach. The winery has significant associations with viticulture at Wyening and the distribution of wine to Catholic Churches throughout the state. The architecture has influences of Spanish and rural vernacular and is a singular example of its type. The winery demonstrates technical innovation in the use of the site to facilitate the wine making process. It is one of a few commercial wineries in the wheatbelt region of Western Australia and one of only two vineyards in Australia that are owned by religious organisations.
Random rubble stone wall construction with a corrugated iron roof. It was built from granite quarried in the surrounding fields.
The first land at Wyening was taken up by Bishop Salvado in 1856. The first building was constructed from Bishop Salvado's on site sketches in 1892. After Salvado's death in 1900, his successor, Abbott Torres made significant changes and at Wyening the focus changed from pastoral to agricultural with more land allocated for vines and crops.
Torres' desire to establish a winery at Wyening was ambitious. The first vines were planted in 1906. The 'grape vintage' was picked by students, Brothers and locals from the new colleges at New Norcia , at the time. The construction of the winery took place between 1914 and 1916. The cellar was built into the hillside to achieve cool moderate temperatures and also to take advantage of the force of gravity in processing the grapes from the crushing hoppers to the wine casks. By 1916, 80 acres of vines were planted. A lay wine maker, Valenz was employed, and the workers cottage was constructed for him. Wine was produced for many years. The wine was for public sale, and altar wine was made for the Catholic Churches throughout the state. Wine making declined in the depression years when there was no farm manager and the quality of the wines deteriorated. In 1949, the employment of wine maker August Schwarzbach led to the revitalisation of the place, and the renovation of the buildings. The last Wyening vintage was bottled in 1973 before the winery closed.
Integrity: Intact
Authenticity: High degree
Good
Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
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Erickson R; "The Victoria Plains". | Shire of Victoria Plains | 1971 | |
Considine & Griffiths Architects Pty Ltd with Dorothy Erickson; "Conservation Plan". | Considine & Griffiths Architects Pty Ltd | 1996 |
Individual Building or Group
Epoch | General | Specific |
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Original Use | INDUSTRIAL\MANUFACTURING | Winery |
Present Use | INDUSTRIAL\MANUFACTURING | Winery |
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