Croydon-area couple have hopes of winery revival

  • 2016-05-28
A local couple is hoping to restore a once-successful Boronia winery.

David and Pat Smith were told to vacate their winery, the Old Orchard Winery, a 15-minute drive from Croydon, Victoria, after their nine-year lease expired last year.

The couple spoke to media about their situation, claiming that they were desperate to reopen their winery but were forced into a month-by-month lease by the council.

Knox Council manages the land upon which the winery was placed, the result of the site being a part of Crown land.

The vineyard was originally planted in 1981, a development brought on as a work-for-the-dole scheme backed by Knox Council. The aim was reportedly to bring in a profit, but the various grape varieties imported from South Australia did not thrive in the Victorian climate. Nevertheless, the Council apparently still produced wine for civic functions and to use as Corporate Gifts.

The vineyard was reportedly shut down in the mid-90s after State Government commissioners were brought to the city. Swinburne TAFE acquired the vineyard in 1995 for the purpose of including it in their viticulture program. It remained a part of the TAFE until 2004. The Smiths saw the area advertised a year later.

Since vacating the vineyard in 2015, the couple claims their vineyard has almost disappeared, with overgrown vegetation and run-down facilities suggesting it will take a lot of work to bring it back to the state it was.

The council claims that negotiations were underway with Mr Smith prior to the expiry of the lease, but he chose to leave the premises.

The property was put back on the market in November 2015 and the couple has since reapplied. Knox Council states that the couple’s application is being considered.
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