The excessive consumption of spirits that characterized Australia’s drinking habits of the 1800’s generated a strong temperance movement.
Although not teetotalers the Chaffeys established Mildura on temperance principles in the hope that settlers would adopt the European tradition of moderate drinking of fine wines in their homes.
They established Chateau Mildura to produce wine for such a market but this first venture did not succeed due to the settlers preference for spirits and ale.
These came into the area from a number of sources, one source mentioned in the book “Water into Gold” published in 1937 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the dried fruit industry was the Psyche Smuggler.
A notorious offender was the Smuggler of Psyche Bend. The whole town knew him, and nobody could catch him. Time and time again, his little boat left New South Wales laden deep in the water, and came into haven in Victoria in a swamp near the Billabong.
Today Chateau Mildura is once again producing fine table wines and “The Psyche Smuggler” has been employed to assist in getting these wines onto your table. |
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| Cabernet Merlot |
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| Chardonnay |
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| Merlot |
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| Shiraz |
| Click each of the above icons for tasting notes on a wine in PDF format. |
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