A social and cultural investigation of women in the wine industry of South Australia

Abstract

Gradually their achievements are being recognised. In my research, interviews and a textual analysis of primary sources provided extensive and continuing evidence of women’s contribution in the wine industry from colonial days in the Barossa Valley to recent times on Kangaroo Island. Documentary evidence and the interviews indicate that women have been expected to work in various tasks outside the home, as well as managing the house and rearing children. The interviews I conducted with 25 women in the Barossa Valley, the Riverland and Kangaroo Island, over a wide range of occupations in the wine industry, indicate that they combined their work in the vineyards and wineries with their household tasks. The rural woman’s domain included the home paddock, the equivalent of the suburban backyard. Because of economic necessity the home paddock was extended to include seasonal work in the vineyard. Within families there was a variety of tasks carried out by all members, including children.

Women such as Ann Jacob from the Barossa Valley took an essential part in establishing the wine industry. In the Riverland, women worked in Village Settlements in the late 1890s, and during World War I and World War II, they established vineyards as part of the Returned Soldiers Settlement Schemes. The Australian Women’s Land Army was an essential work unit during World War II and women picked grapes and vines in the Riverland. After World War II an increase in migration saw European settlers arrive in South Australia. On Kangaroo Island where grapes were first grown in 1836, several women now own and manage vineyards. South Australia has a long history of winemaking and although women have made an essential contribution to its establishment and continued development, much of their work has been overlooked, by the public and within the industry. It is anticipated that this research will give appropriate recognition to these women.

Summary

Evidence from primary sources, including nineteenth century photographs, diaries and letters, and interviews indicated that women have made a significant contribution to viticulture in South Australia since colonial times. In addition, these women have circumvented conventional social and cultural ideology and male patriarchy by undertaking what is usually considered men’s work, such as driving tractors, while continuing to carry out their domestic responsibilities.