Commonwealth involvement in the wine industry
Commonwealth government involvement in the wine industry has been concerned mainly with the regulation of the industry, provision of research and development grants, and marketing and promotion of wine for export.
The Collector of Customs, Adelaide assumed responsibility from the South Australian colonial government on Federation in 1901. Its functions included the collection of excise revenue, development and protection of the industry, and encouragement and regulation of overseas trade.
In 1929 the Wine Overseas Marketing Board was constituted under the Overseas Marketing Act 1929. The Board regulated wine and brandy intended for export and was empowered to handle, market, store and ship Australian wine. From 1936 until 1981 it was known as the Australian Wine Board and from 1981 it was called the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation, in 2010 the name was altered to Wine Australia Corporation. The Corporation is the controlling organisation for the industry and currently has its head office in Adelaide.
Commonwealth government agencies and their records
Most records relating to wine held by the National Archives in Adelaide were created by the Corporation or its predecessors, but some records of other agencies are also held. These include records created by the Australian Customs Service, the Australian Industrial Property Organisation and the now defunct State Deputy Prices Commissioner.
Records held in Adelaide relating to wine
| Title or description of record | Date range | Series number |
|---|---|---|
| Correspondence files on Joint Promotion Committee, trade with Aden, Caribbean, Japan, New Hebrides, Vietnam | 1924–73 | AP1136/4 |
| Correspondence files dealing with the promotion of Australian wines | 1929–66 | AP178/1 |
| Correspondence files on overseas trade, publicity campaign, press clippings and London Letters inwards | 1929–66 | AP407/1 |
| Correspondence files on promotion and sale of Australian wine and brandy in Australia and overseas | 1950–91 | D1013 |
| Publication – 'The Story of Australian Wine' and associated photographic prints | 1956 | AP1136/1 |
| Correspondence files on Tariff Board Inquiry, National Export Week, Canberra trade, Strasbourg Convention | 1957–70 | AP1136/6 |
| Correspondence files on annual reports, Canada trade, Commonwealth Grape Advisory Committee, Hong-Kong publicity, Japan trade | 1959–77 | AP1136/2 |
| Title or description of record | Date range | Series number |
|---|---|---|
| Historical records relating to Customs and Excise in SA | 1828–1990 | D5063 |
| Correspondence files on spirits for fortification of wine, excise duty, blending, wine import and export | 1901–62 | D596 |
| Distillery diaries | 1902–69 | D2240 |
| Correspondence files on spirits for fortification of wine; wine excise; distillers and export; wine labels; history of wine | 1922–72 | D737 |
| National Security regulations and war time control over wine exports | 1939–48 | D1975 |
| Title or description of record | Date range | Series number |
|---|---|---|
| Prices regulation, administrative and policy files (includes trading results for wine makers, distillers and wholesalers) | 1939–48 | AP5/1 |
How to find more records
You can obtain more information about the record series listed above (and the items within the series) from RecordSearch, the Archives database. Searches may be undertaken using keywords (such as 'wine', 'winery', 'viticulture' or 'grapes'), or the CA (Commonwealth Agency) or series number shown in the table above. Follow the links in the series lists to go directly to information on that series. You can also use RecordSearch to find out about the agencies that created the records and to locate more records on your subject. You might also explore PhotoSearch to find out if there are photos pertaining to your subject.
Other sources of information about wine
The main non-government wine industry groups include:
- the Winemakers' Federation of Australia (established 1990)
- the Australian Wine Foundation (established 1988)
- the Australian Council of Viticulture (established 1991)
- the Australian Society of Wine Education (established 1990).
The National Archives does not hold the records of these bodies.
The organisations listed below are also valuable sources of information on the wine industry in South Australia.
State Records of South Australia
115 Cavan Road, GEPPS CROSS SA 5094
GPO Box 464
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Tel: (08) 8343 6800
Fax: (08) 8204 8777
State Library of South Australia
Corner North Terrace & Kintore Avenue, Adelaide
GPO Box 419
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Tel: (08) 8207 7250
Fax: (08) 8207 7247
Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia Incorporated
Adelaide Showground, Goodwood Road, Wayville
PO Box 108
WAYVILLE SA 5034
Tel: 1300 890 399
Fax: (08) 8210 5277
National Wine Centre of Australia
Industry House
Corner Botanic & Hackney Roads
Adelaide SA 5000
Tel: (08) 8303 3355
Fax: (08) 8303 7444
South Australian Wine Industry Association
1st Floor Industry Offices
National Wine Centre
Botanic Road
Adelaide SA 5000
Tel: (08) 8222 9277
Fax: (08) 8222 9276