MOUNT OPHIR WINERY

168 STILLARDS LANE RUTHERGLEN, INDIGO SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Register

H0334 MOUNT OPHIR WINERY LHA 2015 1.JPG

Statement of Significance

• Other Records For This Place
  • Mount Ophir Winery - National Trust
• Additional Place Information

  • History

    MOUNT OPHIR WINERY - History

    Messrs Gleeson and Eisemann, purchased the land with the intention ofestablishing a vineyard and winery on the site in the late 1880s.Gleeson commissioned local contractor Walter Hollibone to design andbuild the first portion of the winery building in 1891. The property waspurchased by P.B Burgoyne & Co. Ltd - prominent London-based wineagents and merchants - in 1893 and under their ownership the businessexpanded to provide a significant amount of wine for export, largely toBritain. In the early years of the Burgoyne's ownership new additionsincluding the tower and additional wings were added to the originalwinery building and it was officially opened in 1904. Designed by localarchitect Arthur MacKnight in a more elaborate style the additionsreflected the scale of wine production on the site and the success ofthe Burgoyne's business. At its peak, Mount Ophir produced wine fromgrapes from a wide group of local growers was well as the extensiveestate vineyard. The winery operated successfully during the inter-waryears and expanded to include over 280 hectares of vines but businessslowed with the onset of the Second World War. The property remained inthe Burgoyne family until 1955. When it was sold the vines were removedand the land used for grazing. More recently, the buildings have beenused for accommodation.

    Dunstan, David (1994) Better than Pommard!: A History of Wine in Victoria

    Evans, Robert (1999) Gold from Ophir: The History of the Mount Ophir Winery and Vineyard at Rutherglen

    Freeman, Peter (2002) Indigo Shire Heritage Study, Volume 1 Part 1.

    Assessment Against Criteria

    MOUNT OPHIR WINERY - Assessment Against Criteria

    Criterion WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT?

    The Mount Ophir Winery complex including the land, buildings (exteriors and interiors), driveways, trees, dams and landscape elements, early winemaking infrastructure, setting and other features. The registration includes all fixtures attached to the buildings at the time of registration.

    HOW IS IT SIGNIFICANT?

    Mount Ophir Winery is of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria. It satisfies the following criterion for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register:

    Criterion A

    Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria's cultural history.

    Criterion D

    Importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural places and objects.

    WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT?

    Mount Ophir Winery is significant at the State level for the following reasons:

    Mount Ophir Winery is historically significant for its clear association with the development of vineyards and wine production in Victoria. It was a sizeable vineyard and influential winery and is indicative of the expansion of the winemaking industry in Victoria and the growth of wine as an export industry. This association is evident in the physical fabric of the place - including the distinctive winery building, array of early residences and outbuildings, and early wine production facilities. [

    Criterion A]

    Mount Ophir Winery is architecturally significant as a notable example of a winery complex. The substantial central winery building is of fine and distinctive design with picturesque curved gables and prominent cylindrical tower. It incorporates fermentation vats, winemaking rooms, cellars and former office from the early decades of the winery's establishment. It forms the centre of a largely intact winemaking complex that displays the principal characteristics of a place of its class and is of a level of intactness that enables the processes of winemaking to be well understood. [

    Criterion D]

    Permit Exemptions

    MOUNT OPHIR WINERY - Permit Exemptions

    General Exemptions:

    General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

    Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

    Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

    Specific Exemptions:

    It should be noted that Permit Exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.38 of the Heritage Act). Permit Exemptions can also be applied for and granted after registration (under s.92 of the Heritage Act).

    General Condition 1

    All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object.

    General Condition 2

    Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible.

    General Condition 3

    All works should ideally be informed by Conservation Management Plans prepared for the place. The Executive Director is not bound by any Conservation Management Plan and permits must still be obtained for works suggested in any Conservation Management Plan.

    General Condition 4

    Nothing in this determination prevents the Heritage Council from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.

    General Condition 5

    Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the relevant responsible authority, where applicable.

    Specific Permit Exemptions

    Agricultural activities

    . All processes to allow for the continuation of existing agricultural and viticultural practices including cultivation, cropping, grazing, pruning, harvesting and other activities necessary for the usual operation of the place.

    . Re-establishment of grape vines in the open paddocks to the west of the winery building.

    . Maintenance or repair of fences, gates, trellises or similar structures necessary for the continuation of existing agricultural or viticultural activities.

    Landscape

    . Establishment of new garden beds and low-level plantings provided they are well spaced from buildings and do not harm the cultural heritage significance of the place.

    . The process of grounds maintenance including slashing and mowing of grass and grading of established driveways and tracks.

    . Garden maintenance including pruning, removal of dead shrubs, planting and replanting, disease and weed control, and maintenance to care for existing plants and trees.

    . Repairs and maintenance to existing hard landscape elements such as rockeries, rock walls, paving, steps, gutters and drainage systems, in a manner which does not harm the cultural heritage significance of the place.

    . Management and maintenance of dead or dangerous trees to maintain public safety and to protect buildings and structures.

    . Removal of plants listed as noxious weeds in the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.

    Event operations

    . Works associated with short term events including:

    o The introduction of temporary structures such as marquees provided that structures will be erected within and used for a maximum period of six weeks after which they are removed, and the structures are not located in a place or in a way where they could damage any fabric.

    o The introduction of temporary security fencing, scaffolding, hoardings or surveillance systems for a maximum period of six weeks after which they will be removed, and the structures are not located in a place or in a way where they could damage any fabric.

    . Temporary works for event purposes, for example, the establishment of temporary wayfinding/directional signage.

    Maintenance

    . All works required to maintain, secure and make safe buildings and structures including the removal of broken glass, the temporary shuttering of windows and covering of holes as long as this work is reversible and does not have a detrimental impact on fabric.

    . Maintenance of an item to retain its condition without large-scale removal of or damage to the existing fabric or the large-scale introduction of new materials. Repairs must maximise protection and retention of fabric and include the conservation of existing details or elements. Any new materials used for repair must not exacerbate the decay of existing fabric due to chemical incompatibility, obscure existing fabric or limit access to existing fabric for future maintenance.

    . Painting of previously painted surfaces in the same colour provided that preparation or painting does not remove early paint finishes or other decorative schemes.

    . Replacement of existing services such as cabling, plumbing, wiring and fire services that uses existing routes, conduits or voids, and does not involve damage to or the removal of significant fabric.

    . Removal of non-original items such as wiring, antennae, aerials etc and making good in a manner not detrimental to the fabric.

    . Erecting, repairing and maintaining signage (directional signage, road signs, speed signs, event signage). Signage must be located and be of a suitable size and type so as not to obscure or damage heritage fabric and must be able to be removed later without causing damage to the place.

    
    Fire suppression

    . Fire suppression activities such as fuel reduction burns provided that they are done in a manner that is not detrimental to the fabric of the place.

    
    Public safety and security

    . Public safety and security activities provided that they are done in a manner which is not detrimental to the fabric of the place.

    . Emergency stabilisation necessary to secure safety where a feature has been irreparably damaged or destabilised and represents a safety risk to its users or the public. Urgent or emergency site works are to be undertaken by an appropriately qualified specialist such as a structural engineer and reported to the Executive Director within 21 days.
    

    Permit Exemption Policy

    MOUNT OPHIR WINERY - Permit Exemption Policy

    Preamble

    The purpose of the Permit Policy is to assist when considering or making decisions regarding works to a registered place. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage Victoria prior to making a permit application. Discussing proposed works will assist in answering questions the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the place.

    The extent of registration of Mount Ophir Winery in the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole place shown on Diagram 334 including the land, buildings (exteriors and interiors), driveways, trees, landscape elements and other features. Under the Heritage Act 2017 a person must not remove or demolish, damage or despoil, develop or alter or excavate, relocate or disturb the position of any part of a registered place or object without approval. It is acknowledged, however, that alterations and other works may be required to keep places and objects in good repair and adapt them for use into the future.

    If a person wishes to undertake works or activities in relation to a registered place or registered object, they must apply to the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria for a permit. The purpose of a permit is to enable appropriate change to a place and to effectively manage adverse impacts on the cultural heritage significance of a place as a consequence of change. If an owner is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that Heritage Victoria be contacted.

    Permits are required for anything which alters the place or object, unless a permit exemption is granted. Permit exemptions usually cover routine maintenance and upkeep issues faced by owners as well as minor works or works to the elements of the place or object that are not significant. They may include appropriate works that are specified in a conservation management plan. Permit exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.38 of the Heritage Act) or after registration (under s.92 of the Heritage Act). It should be noted that the addition of new buildings to the registered place, as well as alterations to the interior and exterior of existing buildings requires a permit, unless a specific permit exemption is granted.

    Conservation management plans

    There is currently no Conservation Management Plan. It is recommended that a Conservation Management Plan is completed to guide future decision making about the registered place.

    Aboriginal cultural heritage

    If works are proposed which have the potential to disturb or have an impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage it is necessary to contact Aboriginal Victoria to ascertain any requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. If any Aboriginal cultural heritage is discovered or exposed at any time it is necessary to immediately contact Aboriginal Victoria to ascertain requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

    Other approvals

    Please be aware that approval from other authorities (such as local government) may be required to undertake works.

    Archaeology

    Any works that may affect historical archaeological features, deposits or artefacts at the place is likely to require a permit, permit exemption or consent. Advice should be sought from the Archaeology Team at Heritage Victoria.

    Cultural heritage significance

    Overview of significance

    The cultural heritage significance of Mount Ophir Winery lies in its fine and distinctive architectural features and the fact it is a substantially intact winery complex that retains a range of buildings and other elements associated with winemaking and the development of the wine industry in Victoria.

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