History of the Riverina and Viticulture

John Oxley first explored the area in 1817, travelling along the Lachlan River. Almost twenty years later Thomas Mitchell followed by Charles Sturt further discovered areas closest to the Murrumbidgee and Lachlan Rivers. The early pioneer travels were limited to where water was available, hence settlement occurred beginning with town such as Darlington Point, nestled alongside the Murrumbidgee waterway.

The name Riverina, coined from the province of Entre Rios (between two rivers) in South America,was in use as early as 1857.

As the name suggests, between two rivers posed a problem for using the great fertile soils which were no more than a dustbowl until the Murrumbidgee Irrigation scheme was developed. In 1912 the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area was established, created by the diversion of water from the Murrumbidgee River near Narrandera. The formation of the snowy mountains hydro-electric scheme then strengthened the Riverina water supply as large dams were formed (Lake Eucumbene and Blowering Dams) which now act as reservoirs for the Riverina and other areas.

The MIA project provided the most precious resource, water to the rich fertile soils of the Riverina region.

John James McWilliam established the first vineyard in 1913 at Hanwood and fruit was produced in 1916 - a vintage consisting of 19 tonnes that were processed at Junee. Nowadays the Riverina area accounts for 80% of the NSW crush and produces an amazing 300,000 tonnes.

Fruit has been grown on the family vineyard for 30 years, an interest to create wine from a viticultural background was developed as one of the part owners began a oenology degree. The small family business has since grown and from producing a Shiraz in 1998 to many different varietal table wines, rich fortified blends and also a classic Riverina Botrytis style wine (Noble Rot).