1887 - Victoria¹s Pyrenees est. as a winegrowing region ...

A farmer and miner, Yorkshireman Edwin Makereth, first planted vines in Avoca in 1887. At this time Italian viticultural expert, Romeo Bragato, further claimed the suitability of Avoca as a winegrowing district. He particularly noted the areas¹ good drainage and advised the planting of shiraz, pinot noir and mataro and encouraged several other farmers to establish small vineyards in the area.

The Depression, World War II and the wool boom of the 1940s eventually saw the demise of the fledgling industry and Avoca almost lost its viticultural heritage.