Luisini Winery Group

Statement of Significance

The following is extracted from the ‘Luisini Winery Group (P02676), State Register of Heritage Places assessment documentation, 16 March 2001.

Luisini Winery Group, consisting of the surviving 1929, concrete block with corrugated galvanised roof, winery building, other structures and features associated with the former operation of the winery, together with the remaining introduced vegetation, natural vegetation and landscape, has cultural heritage signifi cance for the following reasons:
- the place is associated with the agricultural development of the Wanneroo district, and the dominant Italian occupation of the area from the 1920s through to the 1960s for market gardening;
- the winery was formerly the largest privately owned winery in Western Australia, operating between 1929 and 1986. It was established by Ezio Luisini, an important patron of the Italian community in Western Australia;
- from 1929 to the 1960s, the place was a well-known as the first place of employment in Western Australia for many new Italian migrants;
- the 1929 winery building is a representative industrial building that displays a method of wine production and distillation that is no longer practiced in Western Australia. The still equipment is the last one of its kind in the Metropolitan Area; and,
- the area surrounding Luisini Winery has the potential to reveal archaeological deposits relating to Italian migrants, the daily activities of the winery and the vernacular construction of the buildings.

Physical Description

Luisini Winery Group is situated on the banks of Lake Goollelal. All that remains as evidence of the former winery is a 1929 concrete block building with a corrugated galvanised roof. It is set in an area of introduced vegetation, natural vegetation and landscaping.

In June 2023 the site is surrounded by mesh link fencing, and is about to undergo a major redevelopment.

History

The winery was established by Ezio Luisini, who settled in the area in 1924. The winery operated from 1929 until 1986 and was at one time the largest privately owned winery in WA. It operated as a sideline to his wine cellar on William Street in Perth. Ezio Luisini became an important patron of the Italian community in WA, and his wine cellar was a well-known landmark for the Italian community, especially for new migrants.

Ezio Luisini died in 1964. The business was taken over by his nephew Ernie Mondello. By the 1980s the winery succumbed to pressures of surrounding urban development. In 1988 the land was redeveloped into suburban lots. Wine sales continued from the winery building until 1989, and then the winery closed. All buildings associated with the winery were demolished in
1989 with the exception of the main cellar which contains the original 1929 section and 1950s additions. The place was purchased by the State Government in 1989, and has been closed to the public since. In 2001 the National Trust took up a lease to investigate the place’s future potential.

In June 2023 the State Government announced that Luisini Winery will undergo a multi-million dollar conversion into an eatery as part of a broader revamp of Yellagonga Regional Park that will include the installation of a nature playground and boardwalk in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. The WA Government will invest $8.5m over four years to improve and protect the Yellagonga Regional Park. The redevelopment will be carried out in a public-private partnership between the National Trust of Western Australia and Be Our Guest Holdings, with the restaurant component expected to take around 18 months to complete. Plans for the site include preserving most of the concrete wine barrels and honouring the current hand-built structures by reusing limestone walls, wooden eaves and steel doors. The overarching vision for the place is ‘to help create a Kings Park of the north by including an all-abilities nature playground on the banks of Lake Goollelal, with signage in Aboriginal, English and Italian.’

Condition

Poor - assessed from street view only

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.