History of the Winery
David Pettavel
Mr David Pettavel (left), born in Boudry, Switzerland, emigrated to Australia in 1842 aboard the barque Platina. Upon landing at Port Philip, Pettavel continued directly to the hills of Geelong to plant the region's first vineyard. These vineyards, and the wine produced from them were such a success that Pettavel immediately began plans for further vineyard development throughout the rolling hills of Geelong. The shortage of skilled labour became a major constraint to Pettavel's expansion, so a recruiting trip was planned to his homeland. Pettavel returned to Switzerland and sailed back to Australia aboard the ship the Evening Star in 1856 after convincing family and friends to follow him to Australia to assist in the expansion of vineyards and wine production in Geelong.
The rapid expansion and development of the wine industry in Geelong halted abruptly in the late 1870's with the passing of Mr David Pettavel and other driving pioneers and the arrival of phylloxera and its associated devastation on the vineyards. The nearby gold rush also proved a temptation too great for many vigneron's, and labour shortages prevented vineyards from being replanted.
The Geelong Region
Mr David Pettavel pioneered the establishment of the Geelong wine region in 1842 and the industry's early successes are a tribute to Mr Pettavel's accurate assessment of the climatic and geological influences in the region.
In recent years the Geelong region has experienced rapid growth and redevelopment of the once thriving wine industry. The region now boasts over 50 independent wine producers located across a three sub-regions, the Moorabool Valley, the Surf Coast and the Bellarine Peninsula, within the greater Geelong Geographic Index. These sub-regions vary vastly in terms of climatic influence, from the maritime influenced Bellarine Peninsula and coastal towns to the continental influenced inland regions of Sutherlands Creek and Bannockburn. These varying climatic influences allow the Geelong region to produce a broad range of grape varieties and associated wine styles, offering numerous options for wine drinkers.
Bruce Hyett
Bruce Hyett set up the current version
David Yates
License No. 32801012
