Avondale

Values

The place has aesthetic value as a group of buildings of similar style and form located in a picturesque rural setting on the Avon River.

The place has associations with the settlement of the district from the min nineteenth century, and with the development of the wine industry there, which was an important local industry.

The place has associations with Bull and Stevens, who were important regional wine producers and fruit growers in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This is evidence by the pair's involvement in the establishment of the local and state Vine & Fruit growers Association.

Together, the winery, outbuildings and dwellings, are representative of farms with a vineyard function.

The place is one of the oldest still wineries in the state and continues to operate for its original purpose.

Physical Description

The place is a small group comprising a winery, dwellings and an outbuilding. A new vineyard has been planted at the front (west) of the property. The place is a group of single storey brick buildings. The winery is a double volume building with a cellar. Both the winery and servant quarters have gable cgi roofs and have Flemish bond brickwork with decorative diamond patterns in the gable ends. The other buildings have hipped cgi roofs.

History

‘In 1859, there were 30 acres of vines in the Toodyay district. On 12 January 1861, sub-Lot 9 was allotted to Thomas Goggins, an Enrolled Pensioner Guard. He and his family left for Adelaide in 1862. By 1864, W Bull in partnership with A Stevens had established Avondale on Sub Lot 9. Viticulture became a prosperous industry in the Toodyay Valley, with the most successful vignerons being Bull and Stevens. In 1885, more land, and 40 acres of vines in 1891. In that year, they produced 5000 gallons of wine, a ton of dessert raisins and 4-5 tons of pudding raisins, although demand still exceeded supply. Stimulated by the gold rushes, they planted another 15 acres of vines in 1892 and built a 60 x 22 ft storeroom. They also grew peaches, apples, oranges and lemons. The place was the showplace of the district where distinguished visitors were escorted, and school concerts and children’s parties took place. In 1893, the first Vine and Fruit growers Association in the colony was formed in Toodyay. Talk of a co-operative winery was opposed by Bull & Stevens who left the Association and formed the Deepdale Farmers and Fruit growers Association. In 1899, Bull & Stevens purchased all the local grapes to make 10,000 gallons of wine and produced 3000 oranges. When a statewide association was formed in 1900, W Bull was one of the committee members.’

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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