The Chaffey Trail Home 1. The Old Mildura Station Homestead 2. Mildura Homestead Cemetery 3. Rio Vista Historic House 4. Lock 11 & Mildura Weir 5. Mildura Wharf 6. Mildura Grand Hotel 7. Psyche Bend Pump Station 8. Chateau Mildura 9. Merbein 10. Further Links of the Chaffey Story 11. The Chaffey Trail Map

Chateau Mildura

Chateau Mildura was established in 1888 when the Chaffeys planted 150 acres of wine grapes on their vineyard at Belar Avenue, Irymple. The property was close to Kings Billabong and Psyche Bend, which provided irrigation water for the winery. Mataro, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, White and Red Hermitage, Muscat Gordo Blanco and 'Sherry Grapes' were planted to produce full-bodied table wines similar to other Australian wines attracting prizes and praise from European Wine Judges.

In 1891, the Chateau produced its first vintage under primitive conditions, with only a bough shed for shelter. By the following year, triple-gabled brick cellars had been constructed. Wine production was under the control of the Chateau's first manager, French-born Peter Mazou, who had gained his experience first in the South of France and then in the vineyards and wineries of South Australia.

Victoria's first wine boom of the late 1800s ended in the early 1900s, since many local people were not partial to table wines and the costs of transport to Melbourne were prohibitive. The winery then turned to distillation in order to produce brandies and fortified wines for the local market. By 1910, high demand led to the establishment of Mildura Winery Pty Ltd, of which Chateau Mildura was a part. The new company built a second and larger distillery at Merbein and the two companies worked closely together. Brandy making with pot stills became a major operation of the company in the late 1930s with exports to England.

In 1937, under Ron Haselgroves's management, the brand 'Mildara' was chosen and its brandies and sherries became famous worldwide.

Did you know?

• The Chaffey Irrigation Colonies were 'Temperance Colonies'! The Chaffeys believed this would encourage more productive settlers to take up the land
• WB Chaffey rode daily to work at Chateau Mildura on a bicycle that his son won in a raffle until, in 1911, grateful settlers banded together to purchase a T-Model Ford for him
• It strikes most people as odd that a wine-growing district could also be a temperance colony. It was doomed to failure but human foilbies and ingenuity are always facinating to study.

Photos: MurrayRiverPhotos.com.au

What is here today!

The Chaffey brothers' vision for a wine industry along the Murray has been realised. The Sunraysia and South Australian Riverland irrigated areas now produce around 50% of Australia's table wines and 80% of exports.

Although Chateau Mildura merged with several large companies in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Fosters Group's sale of Chateau Mildura saw it return to local ownership and it is now home to Psyche Wines Pty Ltd.

Table wine production recommenced in 2005 with three ranges available; the Chateau Mildura Heritage range, the Psyche Smuggler Range and Psyche Reserve Range. These wines have quickly established themselves as wines of top quality, winning many awards and good reviews from the wine press. Many of Chateau Mildura's historic features are preserved in its museum collection.

Today, visitors can enjoy self-guided or group tours of the museum and winery.

The Château is open daily from 10am to 4pm. 191 Belar Avenue, Irymple.
Telephone 03 5024 5901. Museum cost $7.50 Adult.
(GPS Co-ordinates X=610,840 Y=6,210,308)

1. The Old Mildura Station Homestead ♦ 2. Mildura Homestead Cemetery ♦ 3. Rio Vista Historic House
4. Lock 11 & Mildura Weir ♦ 5. Mildura Wharf ♦ 6. Mildura Grand Hotel ♦ 7. Psyche Bend Pump Station ♦ 8. Chateau Mildura ♦ 9. Merbein
10. Further Links of the Chaffey Story ♦ The Chaffey Trail ♦ The Chaffey Trail Map