Australian Dry Stone Terraces: An Historical and Contemporary Interpretation

Abstract

The topic of this paper will attempt to describe Australian terraced landscapes styles and their historical evolution through the prism of the range of practical, survival, cultural, social and aesthetic genres constructed from the 1800s early settlement era through to present-day contemporary designs. The story stretches from the Gold Rush times , through a creative surge after World War II, to the contemporary terraces built in the last decade or so at the Mount Annan Botanical Gardens in New South Wales. Of particular interest here is the historical background that in the 1850s and 60s Gold Rush period Swiss Italians from Ticino and Swiss immigrants from the southern part of Graubünden settled in the area around Daylesford, Victoria. Even today, their influence is ever present in the township of Hepburn Springs through the names of its residents, the names of its Mineral Springs (Locarno) and its buildings.

Appendix 9.1

• 1. The Leader, 20 April 1867, p. 9

The vineyard of the Hon J.G. Francis, M.L.A., said the Leader, was one of the first to be set up in Sunbury locality under the “novel industry” clause of the 1862 Land Act. It was ‘the most extensive concern in the hands of one proprietor’.

Francis’ vineyard now exceeded his original selection and had extended onto land “since acquired at auction”; already 38 acres have been planted with vines and an additional 10 acres were to be planted during the coming season. The oldest vines were in their fourth season and covered about twelve acres located on a hot and dry hillside of deep volcanic debris; the natural drainage was said to suit the vines which were expected to produce wines of “first-class quality”.

The sites selected by Francis were chosen not only for their natural suitability for vine-growing but also keeping in mind the particular requirements of different grape varieties:

… the steep bank of six acres selected for part of the current season’s operations will not be easily or inexpensively worked, but these disabilities are overlooked in favour of the thorough adaptability of the site for the production of superior wine. The loose black soil is so intermixed with stones large and small that it can be worked in no other way than be hand, and the estimated cost of preparing this land is £30 per acre. This, added to the cost of planting, tending for three years, and staking, makes vine growing a rather costly investment.

The already established vines were supported on trellises made of ironbark stakes and iron wires. The grape varieties grown were Chasselas, Riesling, Hermitage, Mataro, Verdeilho (sic), Espart and White Pineau. Some wine had already been made of the Riesling grapes. Mr. Baldini was the overseer of the vineyard.

• 2. The Australasian, 2 January 1869, p. 24

Francis now had 37 acres planted and 3 acres more to be planted to complete the vineyard as intended, said the Australasian. It reported that: A great part of this land has been rendered fit for planting at heavy expense, being almost precipitous, and full of great stones and rocks. However the soil is naturally good, and where the stones have been taken out, to be used as terrace walls or for filling up the hollows, the vines thrive admirably.

Mr. Baldini was the vineyard manager. The report noted that the 1866 claret had been tasted; the 1867 claret was not yet bottled; the chasselas of 1867 was light and pleasant to drink; the riesling of 1867 was still in wood; and the verdeilho of 1867 was full bodied and rich in flavour.

• 3. The Australasian, 7 May 1870, p. 601

“The steep banks beside Jackson’s Creek are peculiarly fitted for the vine, the soil being rich and the stones numerous; but it has been costly work in some places, terracing, and leveling, and filling up holes”.

The Illustrated Australian News, 10 June 1878

The Illustrated News reported that Goonawarra vineyard, formed in 1864, was nearly 37 acres in area. It was situated on slopes facing North West, West, and South West, with a frontage to part of Jackson’s Creek. The formation had cost, in some parts of the vineyard, as much as £100. The ground was said to have originally been ‘rocky spurs of the Mount Macedon range’. The vineyard was nearly in full bearing.

• 4. The Australasian, 8 July 1882, p. 56

The vineyard occupies a somewhat narrow strip of land extending along the creek for some distance, the vines extending from the water’s edge well up towards the crown of the sloping banks. In places there is an alluvial flat of considerable width between the creek and the gently sloping hill, and in other places the banks rise bold and steep from the edge of the stream.

This portion of Jackson’s Creek would be pleasing in a state of nature, but with the vines covering such a long stretch of its winding and undulating banks, its appearance is exceedingly beautiful, so that from the residence a charming view is obtained of vine-clad slopes and the waving line of water.

Along the upper boundary of the vineyard a road has been cut in the hillside and substantially formed with stone, while on a portion of the hill too steep for vines to grow, terraces are being formed for their cultivation. The terraces appear to be formed to complete the outline of the landscape. The road is ornamental as well as useful and a cursory inspection of the surroundings of the vineyard is sufficient to show that utility has not been the only object aimed at in its management.

• 5. The Australasian 2 June 1883, p. 696

The vineyard was 50 acres in extent, of which less than 40 acres were in full bearing, the balance of 10 acres having been added recently. The Australasian looked back on the unusual terraces :

This vineyard, situated on the eastern side of the stream, is confined entirely to the hill slope and takes the shape of a crescent. The situation is a pleasant one indeed … At the northern end the decline is rather precipitous, and here a system of terracing, which must have entailed considerable expense, has been carried out. In order to prevent the storm waters from the hills washing away the soil, the bank of each terrace was faced with stone, and this elaborate work which is carried out for some distance, must have added considerably to the first cost of establishing the vineyard.