62 



I shall no-w endeavour to draw the attention of the Conference 

 to a few reasons, which I think go far to prove the afiSrnuitive of 

 my query — "are wineries required ?" 



1st. The production of wine in Victoria has long ago overtaken 

 the local demand ; our cellars are full, and the grower has to accept 

 very low prices even for his best wines. 



2nd. This production is likely to be more than doubled within 

 the next three years, owing to the extensive planting during the 

 last three seasons in response to the encouragement offered by the 

 bonuses given by the Government ; 1,415 new vineyards have been 

 planted covering 12,000 acres, and may be expected to give a 

 return of, say, 200 gallons per acre at five years from planting (or 

 within three years from now), this will give 2,400,000 gallons of 

 wine in addition to the present output. 



3rd. Of the 1,415 new vineyards planted under the bonus 

 regulations over 900 are of 10 acres and under, and it may safely 

 be affirmed the majority of tlie owners are new to the industry,i 

 and are probably not aware of the amount of capital required to 

 build cellars, purchase plant, and casks to store till fit for market, 

 and it is to be feared a vast proportion of the wine made will be> 

 forced on the market in a crude and immature state, thus 

 intensifying the present very unsatisfactory state of matters. 



4th. Assuming that 1,000 of the 1,415 new vineyards have, 

 been planted by men having no experience in wine-making, what 

 a manifest advantage it would be to have their vintages super- 

 intended by experienced experts, and their wines purchased and 

 taken off their hands directly the fermentation was completed. 



5th. Another and perhaps the best reason of all for the 

 establishment of wineries would be the immense increase in the 

 value of the wine produced. If the 2,400,000 gallons were forced 

 on the market already overstocked, it would undoubtedly reduce 

 the present low prices still further, and would iu all probability, 

 have to be sold at distilling value, say, 6d. to 9d. per gallon,, 

 whereas by blending and maturing under expert treatment it 

 could be exported at 2s. 6d. to 3s. per gallon at two years and^ 

 a half old ; at 6i. per gallon (which I believe is about the present 

 price for distilling), 2,400,000 gallons would give £60,000; and,' 

 allowing 400,000 gallons for loss by evaporation, &c., in maturing 

 and racking, the 2,'000,000 gallons left at 2s. 6d. would give 

 £250^000, a saving to the colony of £190,000 a year. It is alsa' 

 certain that the produce of the old vineyards would be greatly ' 

 enhanced in value when the present glut is removed by the. 

 increased export that would result from the establishment of 

 wineries, thereby further adding to the wealth of the colony. It 

 is, I think, unnecessary to say more in proof of the benefits to be'; 

 derived by establishing wineries in each of the principal wine- 

 growing centres, although a good deal more could be said on tho 

 saving of capital to the small grower in erecting cellars, purchasing ■ 



