Between the 1880s and 1890s grape growing and wine making in Ipswich was a burgeoning industry that was built on quality growing conditions and healthy profits for the winemakers. There were many winemakers and grape growers in the area who tried their hand at this new agricultural trend, with many families establishing successful wine businesses. Many local wineries of this time were also known nationally and internationally for their refreshing take on red and white wines, with many of the Ipswich vineyards winning high-achievement awards in competitions.

Meyer and Isambert – Toongarra Vineyard

One of the earliest vineyards to be established closest to the city of Ipswich was owned and operated by Mr Isambert and Mr Meyer. The team owned and operated a vineyard which was located on 6 acres of land in Churchill and was originally purchased in 1867; a second property was later purchased on Warrill Creek. Prior to their wine making endeavours, Mr Meyer and Mr Isambert operated a soap and candle making business, therefore they were well equipped for the winemaking trade. The team built a well-ventilated house with a verandah that constituted their cellar on the property, as well as 43 400 gallon barrels to hold their produce. They also purchased a clever bottling and corking machine. Due to Isambert’s German heritage and Australian wine industry knowledge the business quickly took off, with the team becoming highly aware of those grape varieties suited to Australia’s climate and soil. By 1870 Isambert and Meyer had adapted a number of grape varieties for current conditions as well as installing a clay pipe drainage system for assistance for the dry climate. By this point Toongarra Vineyard had 2,400 grape vines planted (including white sherry, hermitage, espar, donzilino and riesling) and another 400 table grape varieties on 12 acres of land with the Winery producing 8000 gallons of wine in a year. During their time in production Isambert and Meyer won numerous awards in local agricultural shows, until poor finances caused the pair to sell the property to a Mr Casper Zinn.

The Dick Family – Reside Vineyard

One of the first vineyards and winemakers in Ipswich was established in 1870s by the Dick Family and came to be known as Reside Vineyard. The winery was located on a 10 acre block in Purga and was operated by James Dick Senior and his sons Malcolm, James and William. At the time James Dick also managed dairy and maize on the property and had previously tried his hand at cotton growing for ten years. The vineyard produced several grape varieties as well as a wide array of international award winning red and white wines. The vineyard remained in the care of James Dick Senior until his death in 1893, at which point it was operated by the Dick Brothers until 1914 when grape growing became a dying industry in the area.

The Irwin Brothers – Warrilla Vineyard

In the early 1860s the Irwin family moved to Ipswich, originally coming via the United States from Ireland. They purchased a house in Ipswich and also established a farm on the banks of Warrill Creek, which by the early 1870s was in being operated as Warrilla Vineyrad by the Irwin Brothers, Robert, John, Samuel and James. In 1875 having established a fully functional winery the brothers built a large above ground cellar and wine factory similar in style to the Isambert and Meyer set-up. This was an excellent alternative to the underground cellars common at the time due to cooling qualities of such a structure for Australian climate. The Irwin Brothers had also built a large amount of homemade wooden casks and special machines for producing the valuable liquid. The vineyard produced a number of grape varieties including salvina, zollverein, mataro and esparte. The winery itself also produced wine varieties such as Wantage, Black Spanish and Delaware, all of which were superior tasting rich and sweet. Over the course of the company’s existence the Irwin Brothers entered numerous local, national and international shows with their greatest win being the prize medal award at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition in 1876 and the Sydney International Exhibition in 1879-80.

Robert William Le Grand – Wooyumboong Winery

Mr Le Grand was born in London but came to Australia in the 1850s to try his luck as gold mining. After striking it lucky he later returned to his home town where he began travelling through Germany and France and exploring the many varieties of grapes in these areas. Having a firm hold on the foreign industry Le Grand returned to Australia in 1873 and took up 840 acres in Purga Creek. He established a small distillery, numerous grape vines and managed a substantial herd of cattle. The family stayed in a makeshift bark hut while Mr Le Grand built a more substantial stone homestead with ten rooms, several fire places, verandahs, and a stone cellar. The property was finished in 1883 and became known as Wooyumboong. As wine making was a passion of Mr Le Grand he had installed 13 slate vats in the cellar as well as a press. When first starting out Le Grand’s main grape variety was espar, however he was always experimenting with different varieties, which in the end made him one of the most awarded grape and wine producers both locally, nationally and internationally for his sparkling wines and red variety wines. Robert Le Grand was also an adept businessman and saw his chance to sell to the world, and as such became one of the first local exporters of wine to Europe. The winery was in operation until the 1890s when the Wooyumboong property continued to produce general farming crops.