Wine Literature of the World

Phylloxera

The arrival of Phylloxera vastatrix, a vine grape louse which attacks the roots of the vine, had a disastrous effect on the vineyards of New South Wales and particularly Victoria. It was discovered in Australia in 1875 in the Geelong area and soon spread throughout the region. The Victorian Government ordered the destruction of vines and the sterilization of the soils, but the disease still spread to other areas. Athough some vineyards escaped, phylloxera managed to vitually wipe out whole wine-growing areas such as Geelong and Bendigo, and to devastate the major Rutherglen region. South Australia managed to escape the disease. All states are aware that the disease could reappear at any time.

Australian brewers' journal vol.1. no 9, June 20, 1883. "The Phylloxera vastrix".

The destruction of the affected vines did not solve the problem of the disease. This is an early call for "the necessity of not planting vines in the diseased districts for years to come".

Australian vigneron and fruit-growers journal vol. 1 no.1 May 1, 1890, "Phylloxera".

NSW growers are accused of not taking the disease seriously.

Australian vigneron and fruit-growers journal vol. 1 no.4 August 1, 1890. "The Geelong district".

Victorian views on the replanting of vines in destroyed areas including those of Hubert de Castella, "one of the most experienced vignerons in Australia", given before the Royal Commission on Vegetable Products in 1886.

Australian Brewers' Journal